Most airlines oversell flights, and sometimes this leads to airlines having to bump passengers. This can come in two forms — voluntary and involuntary denied boarding. In this post I’d like to take a look at that topic more broadly, and specifically talk about what compensation you’re due in the event that you’re involuntarily denied…
Continue reading: Airline Denied Boarding Compensation: What Are You Entitled To?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
It can be considered criminal corruption if this happens, which you can refer to criminal trial and sue for damages of up to $250000USD.
Not sure why United is pictured. They have had a no-overbooking policy since the Dr. Chong incident.
@Ben - You need to stress that this applies only in the USA.
In other parts of the world, local regulations apply and you could have different entitlements.
Precisely, Shawn. The US regulations are very weak compared to global ones (EU, Asians, etc)
I only fly airlines with CUSTOMER RESPECT - that EXCEED the minimum requirements. Example, I get onboard and am greeted by my NAME, thanked for my BUSINESS, and showered in gifts. This is how business is done!!
So true. In many asian countries, there is a Charge called CRIMINAL DISRESPECT that you can be charged with!
Sorry folks replied to MY OWN comment. Didn't even realize that but would I said just resonated with ME so needed to reply
Yours is the obvious comment of a resident website troll, uncle. Read your comment again and weep!
The odds of someone being IVB are very, very rare. If you're traveling during peak times to a destination you do not want to be late to simply check in early to secure a seat assignment (T-24) and arrive at the airport a little early. Airlines typically bump those passengers that checked in last and do not have a seat assignment.
It's really very easy to avoid.
We really need air passenger rights legislation in the USA, akin to EU/UK 261, Canada’s APPR, even Mexico, Thailand, and India have better protections and compensation schemes for passengers harmed by airlines’ failures to operate or provide services to ticketed passengers. C’mon folks, we deserve better.
No, such regulations do not raise ticket prices or bankrupt airlines (see ULCCs like Ryanair in Europe still offering dirt-cheap fares). No, travel insurance isn’t enough (as many events under the airlines control aren’t often covered). Yes, it needs Congress to act. Yes, passengers need better lobbyists. *sigh*
Sounds like you’re an expert, George. But, for most folks, they don’t know (not should they have to know) the ‘tricks’ to avoid getting ‘screwed’ by the airlines. This is yet another reason why we, in the US, need actual better air passenger rights legislation. Yet, folks like yourself keep giving the airlines a pass. I don’t get it. Even if you’re a Key, like, American still can screw you over; you’ll just get a nice ‘buggy’ ride after, which doesn’t help as much if you were expecting to be at your destination in a reasonable time…
Well said, Sean M. and Darryl. Even in Africa (where I recall Sean used to/still was COO of an airline), passengers are treated better by airlines as it relates to their rights and consumer protections. We deserve better in the US, and passengers need to advocate for themselves, because no one else is, and these companies (airlines) count on us to give up.
The current administration in America does not support any consumer protections. You voted for that.
You referring to Dr. Dao (personal hero, took one for the team, got knocked-the-f-out, then defamed in an airline-backed smear campaign, UA3411)?
‘You’ kinda depends; in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, approximately 77.3 million Americans voted for Donald Trump, while a total of approximately 79.2 million votes were cast against him for other candidates. Most Americans do support consumer protections; special interests, like the airline lobby, A4A, clearly do not.
Sounds like a lot of extra work, no guarantees, and a win for lawyers, not most passengers. We need actual air passenger rights legislation so a baseline of compensation is guaranteed for affected passengers. That way, we, passengers avoid tedious, uncertain litigation. Besides, these adhesion contracts, like the contract of carriage for most airlines, often force you to arbitration, anyway, which is not ideal as that is slanted in the airlines’ favor.
Aero, we may not agree on much, but at least we agree that ‘trolling the trolls’ is the best approach. UncleRonnie is one of those fellas who tries to intimidate other commenters into self-censoring. The only response to such calls is more speech. ‘Thank you for your attention to this matter.’ Also, please wear a suit.
@Ben - why not cover EC261 as part of the article?
And EC261 clearly mentions that you're eligible if you misconnect because of the airline's fault
In the US if passengers have to be offloaded due to a change of configuration, it’s not considered denied boarding whereas in the U.K./EU it clearly is.
Airlines deliberately overbook , therefore airlines ought to refund 100% of the purchase price for an involuntary removal , PLUS a courtesy flight to the same destination .
By deliberately overbooking , they are scamming .
So you're saying that the current compensation of 200-400%, plus the flight to the destination, is too generous?
Yes, Alert, they are scamming. And they try to get away with it by offering credits, or getting you to accept their scams without them compensating you.
Icarus, you’re not wrong. Putin clearly assisted in 2016 and 2024, and continues to destabilize Western democracies by using an online army of trolls and bots. We need to call it out when we see it.
Bullshit. "Clearly assisted". What a dope. "Armies of trolls and bots" destabilize democracy!? Wow!!
Good point. This is why we need updated regulations in the USA to fix these loopholes, once and for all, so that passengers cannot be screwed over by the airlines. Ultimately, the airlines are making business decisions, and we, the passengers, pay the price. Not right.
EU261 covers it all. We do need new air passenger rights legislation in the USA.
1990, you are doing a lot of posting on this subject but avoiding my NP question …. are you avoiding me by any chance?
1990. are you “Scamming” the OMAAT readers?
Could you actually be on the OMAAT staff?
If so, which one? …. I have my suspicions …. 🙂
This is plain wrong. United stillniverbooks afternthe Dao incident. They just have a better automated, proactive policy to offer better compensation so that people take voluntary boarding.
I’m passionate about air passenger rights legislation; that’s it. Just a fellow traveler who wants to be compensated when the airlines screw me (and others) over. Really that simple. I admire what the EU/UK, Canada, etc. has done, and wish we had an equivalent in the US.
Don't overthink this. It makes perfect sense when you consider he's got Asperger's syndrome.
Asperger's describes a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.
Dave, that’s some nice ‘unlicensed practice of medicine’ you got goin’ on there, ‘doctor.’ Got any thoughts on the topic at hand, or you want me to falsely diagnose you and Aero with dipshit-itis?
Oh, so you’re literally doing the thing Ben told you not to do… ok, he gave you a warning last time. Let’s see how it goes this time.
Rest assured, this is not my site (or yours); I’m just an occasional commenter who cares about this particular issue.
If Ben wants to remove any of our comments, he can and he will. We’re guests here, lest you forget.
Right Ben, we all understand where you are coming from, thanks for the grin …. 🙂
The comments above crack me up, thank you folks for the entertainment.
I have been accused of many things in my life but never of being an Asperger’s sufferer …. there is a first time for everything so it seems. I’m so lucky to be diagnosed by Dr Dave and just to prove his point I will repeat …. “Every day is a school day”, thank you for enlightening me Dr Dave.
On second thoughts, has it not occurred to anyone how alike the posts by 1990, resemble very closely those of Ben? Surely Dr Dave, you will have noticed the neurodevelopment disorder characterised by the similarities in posts, yes? Now I am certain that the syntax expert Plain Jane, will have noticed too?
Raw nerves or being found out, may be causing some to feel uncomfortable presently. Perhaps I am overthinking this situation, such fun to be had, thank you all.