Scheduled/charter flights

[Daisy]

What is the difference between a scheduled flight and a chartered flight? Ive always wanted to know. Sorry if its a stupid question - I just have no idea. OH and what is my flight?

The other question is, when i sometimes watch airline programs people are unable to catch their flight because the flight is overbooked. How is that possible? Surely they just book as many seats as there are on the aircraft? Could this happen to us? Its a Virgin flight from Man - MCO.

Thanks
Daisy x

[Falcon]

A scheduled flight is one that has a regular fixed timetable ( for want of a better word). BA, easyjet and Virgin are scheduled and have regular flights leaving at fixed times. Charter is different only in having tour operators telling them when to fly for the season. Charter airlines might look like they have a fixed pattern but it will be different next season.

Overbooking. This started in the States (I think) and went like this:
As an American bussines traveler I want to get in do the meeting and get out fast, to either get home earlier or focus on the next deal. Hmm what to do. I know I'll book all five flights out in the evening, if I finish earlier I'll grab the first one, if I'm late I wont have missed my flight.
The airline noticed that a regular percentage of their passengers were either not showing up or cancelling at the last minute leaving their aircraft not full and so they over book expecting people not to show therefore full aircraft. As you have probably guessed this has set up a vicious cycle. People now expect the airline to overbook and so book up more flights making the overbooking problem worse.

[Daisy]

But surely people who book up these flights have to pay in full? So why do the airline care if they dont turn up? Will my Virgin Scheduled flight be overbooked?

[Falcon]

You should be fine on Virgin I havent heard of it happening in the UK as badly. Capt Stark could probably fill you in on more details. If the airlines got the money anyway they wouldnt over book but ask Ray.