Can an airline cancel your flight due to overbooking?

Airline Overbooking: Passenger Rights and Compensation

Overbooking is a common practice in the airline industry, where more seats are sold than the plane’s capacity. This is done to minimize the risk of empty seats due to no-shows or cancellations. However, when an overbooked flight occurs, passengers may be subject to involuntary removal, which raises questions about their rights and compensation.

Are Airlines Allowed to Cancel Flights Due to Overbooking?

In most cases, no. Airlines are prohibited from removing passengers from an overbooked flight without offering compensation. This is a violation of the federal regulations of the United States and similar laws in many other countries.

Involuntary Removal from Overbooked Flights

If an overbooked flight occurs and there are insufficient volunteers to give up their seats, the airline may resort to involuntary removal. However, this is not done lightly and must be done by following specific protocols.

• Airlines must first request volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation.
• If there are no volunteers, the airline may then select passengers involuntarily.
• Involuntarily removed passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance with making new travel arrangements.

Compensation for Involuntary Removal

Airlines are required to provide compensation to passengers who are involuntarily removed from an overbooked flight. The amount of compensation can vary depending on the airline and the length of the delay caused by the removal.

• For flights within the United States, passengers are entitled to a minimum of $400 in compensation.
• For flights to or from international destinations, the compensation can be significantly higher.

In addition to monetary compensation, airlines must also provide assistance with making new travel arrangements for affected passengers. This may include rebooking on the next available flight or providing alternative transportation options.

Foreseen and Unforeseen Circumstances

It’s important to note that while airlines are generally prohibited from canceling flights due to overbooking, there may be certain exceptions in cases of unforeseen circumstances. For example, if the flight is canceled due to weather conditions or a mechanical issue, the airline may not be held responsible for offering compensation.

Passenger Rights

Passengers who are affected by overbooking have certain rights and should be familiar with them.

• Passengers have the right to be compensated for involuntary removal.
• Passengers have the right to assistance with making new travel arrangements.
• Passengers have the right to file a complaint with the relevant regulatory agency if they believe their rights have been violated.

Understanding your rights and the regulations surrounding overbooking can help you navigate this situation effectively and ensure you receive the compensation and assistance you are entitled to.