Can airlines make you give up your seat?

Can Airlines Force You to Surrender Your Seat?

Despite having a confirmed reservation, airlines possess the authority to reallocate or deny boarding due to overbooking. This strategy is employed to optimize flight capacity utilization and account for anticipated cancellations and no-shows.

Overbooking and Its Prevalence

Airlines often overbook flights to increase the likelihood of filling all seats. This compensates for the uncertainty of passengers failing to show up or canceling at the last minute. While overbooking is a common practice, it occasionally leads to situations where there are more passengers than available seats.

Airline Policies and Passenger Rights

Airlines are legally entitled to reassign seats or deny boarding in these scenarios. However, they must compensate passengers who are bumped involuntarily. The amount of compensation varies depending on the airline’s policies and the length of the delay.

Passenger Responsibilities

To minimize the risk of being bumped, passengers should:

• Arrive at the airport early for check-in and boarding.
• Be familiar with the airline’s overbooking policies.
• Consider purchasing travel insurance to cover potential expenses in case of involuntary bumping.

Compensation for Bumping

When a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they are entitled to compensation. This can include:

• A refund for the unused portion of their ticket.
• A free flight to their destination on a later date.
• Cash or vouchers up to a certain amount.

How to Appeal a Bumping Decision

If you believe you were bumped unfairly, you can file a complaint with the airline and the Department of Transportation. It is important to document the circumstances surrounding the bumping and gather any evidence to support your claim.

Conclusion

While airlines reserve the right to overbook flights, they are responsible for compensating passengers who are involuntarily bumped. By understanding airline policies and passenger rights, travelers can minimize the risk of being bumped and ensure fair compensation if it occurs.