But there are formidable obstacles to the plan, and leisure travelers may not benefit nearly so much as last-minute travelers paying full coach fare.

Discounts are offered regularly on the site, and last-minute travelers can sign up for E-mail alerts of special deals.

By contrast, last-minute travelers pay a hefty premium.

But it's not for the last-minute traveler.

The problems that last-minute travelers are likely to face in the next three weeks come at a time of unusual turmoil for the airline industry.

But to some die-hard last-minute travelers, accepting an element of uncertainty is part of the allure.

And industry executives say slow job growth will keep that number of last-minute corporate travelers stagnant for now.

The demand has hurt some last-minute travelers who are having trouble obtaining passports.

Thirty-nine percent of these last-minute travelers said their trip was to visit relatives or friends.

Mr. Stamper said that the airline would hold back some seats on flights to accommodate last-minute travelers from the companies.