How do airlines decide who to bump?

How Airlines Decide Who to Bump

When an airline overbooks a flight, it must sometimes involuntarily remove passengers to make room for those with confirmed reservations. This process, known as denied boarding, is a last resort and is only done when not enough volunteers come forward.

Airlines prioritize passenger removal based on a tiered system. Frequent flyers and those in higher fare classes typically receive preferential treatment, while those who checked in later are more vulnerable to being bumped.

Frequent Flyers

Frequent flyers are typically given priority when it comes to denied boarding. This is because they have a long-standing relationship with the airline and are more likely to be inconvenienced by being bumped. In addition, frequent flyers often have valuable miles and points that they can use to rebook their flights.

Higher Fare Classes

Passengers who purchase tickets in higher fare classes are also given priority when it comes to denied boarding. This is because they have paid more for their tickets and are therefore entitled to a higher level of service.

Check-In Time

The time that a passenger checks in for their flight can also affect whether they are bumped. Passengers who check in later are more likely to be bumped simply because there are fewer seats available.

Other Factors

In addition to the factors listed above, airlines may also consider other factors when deciding who to bump. These factors can include:

• The passenger’s destination
• The passenger’s connection time
• The passenger’s disability status
• The passenger’s age

Compensation

Passengers who are bumped from an overbooked flight are entitled to compensation from the airline. The amount of compensation varies depending on the airline and the length of the delay.

How to Avoid Being Bumped

There are a few things that passengers can do to avoid being bumped from an overbooked flight:

• Check in for your flight as early as possible.
• Purchase a ticket in a higher fare class.
• Become a frequent flyer.

If you are bumped from an overbooked flight, be sure to contact the airline to find out what compensation you are entitled to.