Airline Bumping: What It Is, How to Handle It, and Which Airlines Do It
The last thing you want as part of your travel journey is to be denied boarding. While no one can predict the future, new findings—and some helpful tips—will at least help keep you safe from an overbooked flight.
🎟️ What does it mean when an airline bumps you?
Being “bumped” from a flight means you’re denied boarding, either voluntarily or involuntarily, because the airline sold more tickets than there are seats. This practice, known as overbooking, is legal in the US, as airlines often expect some passengers not to show up.
🛑 What happens if you get bumped (Boarding denied)?
If you’re involuntarily bumped, airlines must provide compensation, which can be up to 200 percent of your one-way ticket price or $775, whichever is lower. You’ll also receive a new flight booking. Voluntarily bumped passengers usually negotiate compensation, such as flight credits or cash.
✈️ Which airlines are most likely to do it?
A recent study highlights the airlines most likely to bump passengers, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Frontier Airlines tops the list, bumping over three passengers per 10,000, significantly higher than any other US airline. American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Southwest also make the list, but at much lower rates.
💡 How to avoid being bumped
To reduce the risk of being bumped, travelers should check in early, join loyalty programs, and avoid booking the last flight of the day. If you are bumped, know your rights.
With FlyPax - ‘fly assured’ you are covered for any flight disruption (denied boarding, delay’s, cancellations, missed connections) under the EC261 regulation.
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2moCongratulations Swiipr & Norse Atlantic Airways 👏