Thought I'd offer some interesting info I once got from a retired captain. Decades ago, prior to deregulation (though in the jet age); Some major airlines were making very good profits (They didn't have all the deals back then, most payed full fare) Many of the majors purchased hotels and hotel chains with that money. For years, when making a flight reservation they would nearly always ask if you needed lodging. That was because they were also trying to set you up in one of their hotels, unbeknownst to the PAX. This is all leading to the point that they were not operating on a shoestring, as they are today. I was also told by the same captain that they sometimes returned to the gate to pick up late arrivals or those that experienced connecting issues. This was after they were pushed back and spooled. How's that for customer service! Ain't gonna happen today...