Distributed computer network air travel scheduling system and method

• US 6,711,548 B1
• Filed: 12/29/1999
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fly Victor, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Joel H. Rosenblatt
• Inventors: Rosenblatt, Joel H.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIMELL, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US09/473,687
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 705/5, 705/6, 705/7, 705/8, 705/9, 705/10, 705/22
• US Class Current: 705/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation

Abstract

An air travel scheduling system and method for making charter-type flight scheduling available to the general public on a readily accessible and reasonable-cost basis. Individuals wanting to travel to, from or between non-hub cities can arrange, through a directory service web site on a distributed computer system, an individualized flight itinerary between specified locations. The directory service has a listing of a wide range of aircraft types and sizes currently available through fixed base operators. Based on factors which may include the booking traveler'"'"'s point of origin, destination and number of passengers, the directory service assigns a most appropriate aircraft to satisfy the traveler'"'"'s flight requirements in the most direct and cost-effective manner.

Claims

1. A method of scheduling, by an individual, a charter-type flight on a non-airline aircraft, said non-airline aircraft being drawn from a pool of available aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:

accessing by the individual, through a distributed computer network, a directory'"'"'service web site listing available fixed base operators and their aircraft, said directory service including location and availability of a plurality of privately-owned aircraft, said plurality of aircraft including aircraft of different sizes and speeds;

specifying, by the individual, a departure site, time and date, and a destination;

specifying, by the individual, a number of passengers for booking on the flight;

assigning, by the directory service, an aircraft from the plurality of aircraft to the flight;

updating the directory service listing with scheduled flight information including the aircraft assigned, the departure site, time and date, and the destination;

determining, by the directory service, whether additional seats are available on the flight; and

posting, responsive to additional seats being available, information on the flight to the directory service web site, said information including departure site, time and date, destination, aircraft assigned, and number of seats available to other persons.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, the step of assigning including the steps of:

calculating, by the directory service, a distance to be traveled in direct flight from the departure site to the destination; and

assigning an aircraft based on the distance to be traveled and the number of passengers.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

calculating, by the directory service, an estimated time of availability of the assigned aircraft at the destination site for subsequent charter flight booking from a cruising speed of the assigned aircraft, the departure time and the distance; and

posting to the distributed computer network directory service the estimated time at which said assigned aircraft will be available at said destination for subsequent charter booking.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, the step of assigning including the steps of:

matching said site of departure with aircraft previously scheduled to be located at said site of departure on said date of departure; and

assigning an aircraft based on previously scheduled aircraft location and the number of passengers.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the departure site and the destination is a non-hub location such that a direct and non-stop flight therebetween is not available on a traditional commercial airline flight.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of booking, through said distributed computer network in response to said step of posting, at least one additional passenger on the assigned aircraft.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6, further comprising the step of routing the scheduled flight, in response to a request by the additional passenger, to include an intermediary stop between the departure site and the destination.

8. The method as set forth in claim 3, further comprising the step of:

double-booking, through said directory service, a subsequent charter flight for said assigned aircraft beginning at said destination and traveling to another location closer to said departure site than said destination, said double-booking reducing a dead cost of empty return flights to said departure site.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, further comprising the step of:

adjusting ticket pricing on a sliding scale depending on a ratio of said dead cost to total flying time booked.