Why do airlines kick people off?

The Uncomfortable Truth: Why Airlines Sometimes Say “You Can’t Fly”

Flying is often touted as a modern marvel, a seamless way to traverse continents in a matter of hours. However, the experience can quickly sour when you’re told you can’t actually board, or even worse, are asked to deplane after settling in. While airline hiccups like delays are frustratingly common, the act of being “bumped” or involuntarily removed from a flight is a far more unsettling prospect. Why does this happen, and what exactly triggers this unfortunate situation?

The primary reason airlines bump passengers is rooted in a common business practice: overbooking. Airlines operate on razor-thin margins, and empty seats represent lost revenue. To mitigate this, they strategically sell more tickets than available seats, based on historical data that predicts a certain percentage of passengers will inevitably no-show. Think of it as playing the odds; if the airline anticipates that five passengers will miss the flight on average, they might overbook by those five seats to ensure a full plane.

Ideally, when everyone does show up, the airline looks for volunteers willing to give up their seat in exchange for compensation. This compensation can range from flight vouchers and hotel accommodations to cash payments, and sometimes even more creative incentives. Airlines prioritize incentivizing passengers to voluntarily relinquish their seats, as this is the least disruptive and most customer-friendly approach.

However, sometimes no one volunteers, or not enough people volunteer to reach the required number of available seats. This is where the involuntary bumping comes into play. Typically, passengers are removed before boarding commences. The airline employs a specific set of criteria to determine who will be bumped, often prioritizing factors like ticket class, frequent flyer status, and the time of check-in. Unfortunately, this means that the passenger with the least “valuable” ticket or the last to check in is often the one facing removal.

While being bumped before boarding is already a significant inconvenience, being asked to deplane after you’ve settled in is an incredibly rare occurrence. Such a scenario is typically reserved for only the most critical circumstances, falling under the umbrella of safety, security, or health concerns, and disruptive behavior. Imagine a passenger exhibiting signs of a highly contagious illness, presenting a clear and present danger to the other passengers. Or consider a situation where a passenger becomes unruly and threatens the safety and security of the crew and other passengers. In these extreme cases, removing the passenger becomes an unavoidable necessity.

Disruptive behavior encompasses a wide range of actions, from blatant intoxication and verbal abuse to physical altercations. Airlines have a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that compromises the safety and comfort of other passengers and the flight crew.

Ultimately, while overbooking aims to maximize profits, the potential for involuntary removal highlights the inherent challenges of balancing business needs with passenger rights. Understanding the reasons behind these policies, and knowing your rights as a passenger, is crucial in navigating the complexities of air travel and mitigating the potential for unexpected disruptions. While getting bumped is never a pleasant experience, knowing the reasons behind it can at least provide some context and help you understand the sometimes-uncomfortable realities of flying the skies.