What to Do If You Are Bumped from a Flight

When Bumped from a Flight

How to turn bad news to good news when your plane is overbooked

The departure lounge is overflowing. The gate attendant announces the flight is overbooked. Should you accept the airline's offer for another flight? The International Air Passengers Association offers some counsel:

What is overbooking?

For any given flight, a certain percentage of people will not show up for whatever reason. Ariline companies track the average no-show rate for specific routes and overbook accordingly. If the no-show rate is usually about 10 percent, the airline then books the flight at 110 percent capacity.

How do I avoid being bumped from an overbooked flight?

You should get to the airport early, check in early, and get to the gate early. But watch out : sometimes just checking in at the gate doesn't necessarily count – your options change from airline to airline. Your best bet is to actually be on the plane as soon as possible. Possession is nine-tenths of the law.

If I volunteer to be bumped, what should I expect in the way of compensation?

Usually, the airlines start with the minimum that they can get away with, which is about a few hundred dollars. You're at the mercy of the lowest offer from other bidders though, so if the airline offers a free ticket, you should grab it. Be warned: the savvy traveler will ask when the next guaranteed tip to his destination is available at risk being stranded on stand-by. Also, ask yourself what out-of-pocket expenses you will incur in waiting for the next plane, and if the airline will cover them.

What are my rights if I end up being bumped against my will?

When you buy a ticket, you've made a contract with the airline/ Before you do anything, you have to make sure you've held up your end. Did you check in on time, for instance? Also, if the airline can get you to your destination within an hour of your originally scheduled time, it is free of any liability. Between one and two hours, though, it has to pay the amount of a one-way ticket to your destination. After that, the compensation doubles.

In all cases you get to keep the original ticket to use on another flight or can turn it in for a refund. Also, the Supreme Court has said that you can sue for compensatory damages to recoup whatever loss the delay might have cost you. If, for instance, being bumped forced you to miss a cruise, that was paid for in advance, you can sue for the amount of that cruise, through the airline will probably try to get you to the cruise late rather than have to pay for the whole thing.

Turn bad news to good news. Photograph by Elena.

Getting in Touch with Airline Watchdogs

To find out more about different airlines, lodge a complaint, or educate yourself about passenger rights, consider these organizations:

U.S. Department of Transportation – Consumer and Community Affairs Office: Specializes in problems with baggage handling, overbooking, and delayed flights. Also releases monthly statistics based on consumer complaints and airline reports.

Federal Aviation Administration – Consumer Hotline: An FAA watchdog, the hotline is for complaints about problems with airport security, carry-on baggage, or the FAA itself.

Federal Aviation Administration – Safety Hotline: To report violations of federal airport and airplane regulation or unsafe situations. Often the first stop for insider whistle-blowers.

Aviation Consumer Action Project – Founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader, ACAP researches consumer issues and publishes the brochure Facts and Advice for Airline Passengers. Will advise you about passenger rights and safety issues over the phone.

International Airline Passengers Association: Like members of the American Automobile Association, IAPA's 150,000 members can buy travel accident insurance or participate in the lost luggage retrieval assistance programs. Their bi-monthly travel-safety alert is a good resource for international travelers worried about airline safety and other travel problems.

American Society of Travel Agents: A travel trade organization, ASTA represents some 25,000 airlines, hotels, travel agents, rental car agencies, other travel businesses around the world. Their consumer office can provide info about packing or preparing to travel aboard and also can informally mediate consumer disputes with ASTA members.