Because, at least in the US, hotels have liberal cancelation policies. In addition, the hotel never really knows what kind of work will be required after a guest leaves...or exactly what time a guest will leave, so the order in which rooms are turned around is not known beforehand. And letting people into their rooms at check-in time or even before is a bigger deal for travellers.
In addition, there are frequent customers who may need a last minute room and companies (such as an airline when a flight is cancelled or overbooked or delayed) that may need a block of rooms on short notice.
An airplane on the other hand is a public space, and the individual has much more limited control over much less space...trash an airline seat and you're probably going to jail.
In addition, there are frequent customers who may need a last minute room and companies (such as an airline when a flight is cancelled or overbooked or delayed) that may need a block of rooms on short notice.
An airplane on the other hand is a public space, and the individual has much more limited control over much less space...trash an airline seat and you're probably going to jail.