He made up fake identities and booked tickets under their names in case someone might want to travel with him. Those empty seats, which most of the time he probably didn't even think would be used, cost the airline real money.
Yes, he had the right to reserve an extra seat but doing so under false pretenses is, in fact, fraud.
Despite what the estimable Prof. Green says in other comments it doesn't matter what airline employees encouraged him to do: it's up to you to know the terms of your agreement.
I am disgusted by the fact that I am actually defending airlines but again, if this guy wanted to preserve his cushy benefit he should have abided by the terms of his agreement.
Yes, he had the right to reserve an extra seat but doing so under false pretenses is, in fact, fraud.
Despite what the estimable Prof. Green says in other comments it doesn't matter what airline employees encouraged him to do: it's up to you to know the terms of your agreement.
I am disgusted by the fact that I am actually defending airlines but again, if this guy wanted to preserve his cushy benefit he should have abided by the terms of his agreement.