You might remember a little incident on a United Airlines flight back in April in which a ticketed passenger was forcefully removed from a flight after he refused to give up his seat. That incident resulted in several airlines changing their policies related to overbooking flights, and the results of those changes are starting to show: The number of passengers bumped from U.S. airlines is at its lowest level in more than a decade. [More]
bumping
Delta Apologizes For Threatening To Cancel Flight
By 3.30.10
Coincidentally, Delta emailed Teresa an apology the same day we posted her complaint that the airline threatened to cancel its flight if enough passengers didn’t take its offer to bump them to a later flight. This after Delta had changed her itinerary without notice. [More]
Delta Fined $375,000 For Bumping Passengers
By 7.11.09
The Department of Transportation smacked Delta with a $375,000 fine for ignoring federal laws that require airlines to offer bumped passengers adequate compensation and an explanation of their rights. Inside, a listing of your options if an airline tries to bump you off their flight…
Death By Overbooking?
By 1.3.08
Here’s an interesting lawsuit. The widow of an Air France passenger is suing that airline, claiming that their decision to bump her husband “caused him to miss a life-saving dialysis treatment at home.” The lawsuit charges Air France with breach of contract, negligence and wrongful death.
Protect Yourself From Being Bumped Off A Flight
By 11.12.07
Kiplinger’s “Win the Bumping Game” offers some advice on how to minimize the chances you’ll get left behind when your airline overbooks a flight. The main thing you can do is arrive early—it’s the last-minute arrivals, or worse, those who buy their tickets a half hour before departure, who are most likely to get bumped. The other thing you can do is avoid Delta, Comair, or Atlantic Southeast, which have the worst records of bumping passengers, and stick with JetBlue, which has the best. And make sure you have a seat assignment if at all possible.
Airline Performance Down in 2006
By 2.9.07
The airlines posted a lower rate of on-time flights and more reports of mishandled baggage.
