Putting profits ahead of anything else is what causes so much problems in the U.S. these days. If only one company decided to overbook, then sure, I agree with

Putting profits ahead of anything else is what causes so much problems in the U.S. these days. If only one company decided to overbook, then sure, I agree with you. But if it were a law, and every airline was forced not to overbook, then it simply means the ticket prices would be a little higher. And if because of those slightly higher ticket prices, the airline might have to retire a plane or two, then so be it, but no airline would go bankrupt because of it. We have all sorts of laws that protect consumers and employees that "hurt" the absolute maximization of profit. This wouldn't be any different. When it's a law, it just means everyone plays at a higher standard and prices are a little higher than they would be without those protections. Also, Canada is likely going to pass such a law soon: http://globalnews.ca/news/3370381/canada-overbooked-flights-law/ http://globalnews.ca/news/3370381/canada-overbooked-flights-...