Why do people get kicked off overbooked flights?

Understanding the Reason behind Overbooked Flights

In the competitive airline industry, maximizing revenue is a primary objective. To achieve this, airlines often engage in the practice of overbooking flights. This strategy involves selling more tickets than the number of available seats on a given flight, with the expectation that some passengers will not show up.

While overbooking can be beneficial for airlines, it can also lead to denied boarding for certain passengers. This occurs when more people arrive at the gate than there are seats available. As a result, some passengers may be asked to give up their seats and take a later flight.

The Legality of Overbooking

It’s important to note that overbooking is a legal practice in most countries. Airlines are permitted to sell more tickets than the number of seats on a flight as long as they have a reasonable basis for believing that some passengers will not show up. This practice helps airlines avoid the financial losses associated with empty seats and ensures that flights are operating at full capacity.

Consequences of Denied Boarding

While denied boarding can be inconvenient and frustrating for passengers, it is a necessary measure to ensure efficient airline operations. When too many passengers arrive for a flight, it would be impractical and disruptive to delay or cancel the flight to accommodate everyone. Instead, airlines carefully select passengers to deny boarding based on factors such as fare class, check-in time, and loyalty status.

Passenger Rights and Compensation

Passengers who are denied boarding due to overbooking have certain rights and may be entitled to compensation. These rights vary by country and airline, but generally include:

• Reimbursement: Passengers may be reimbursed for the full cost of their ticket, including taxes and fees.
• Compensation: Passengers may receive additional compensation for the inconvenience caused by denied boarding.
• Alternative travel arrangements: Airlines are obligated to provide alternative travel arrangements, such as a seat on a later flight or a refund for the unused portion of the ticket.

To protect their rights, passengers should carefully review the terms and conditions of their ticket and be aware of any compensation policies offered by their airline.

Conclusion

Overbooking is a common industry practice that helps airlines maximize revenue and ensure efficient flight operations. While denied boarding can be a frustrating experience for passengers, it is a necessary consequence of this strategy. Understanding the legality of overbooking and the rights of passengers can help alleviate some of the inconvenience associated with this practice.