In this chaotic summer travel season, you’re entitled to a payout if you’re involuntarily booted from an overbooked flight.
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Air travel is especially chaotic this summer.
If you’re involuntarily bumped from a flight, US regulations say you’re entitled to compensation.
The dollar amount depends on the length of your delay and the price of your ticket.
Mayhem is the theme of summer air travel this year.
From lost bags and smelly suitcase mountains, to staffing shortages, to thousands of canceled flights, it appears as though air travel is fraying at the seams. Much of the chaos is tough to avoid, but if you’re bumped from an overbooked flight, you’re entitled to compensation.
When airlines need to pay bumped passengers
If a flight is overbooked, and more passengers show up than the airline anticipated, the airline is first required to ask if anybody is willing to voluntarily give up their seat, according to the US Department of Transportation. Airlines often offer vouchers or other compensation to passengers who agree to be rebooked on a later flight.
If there aren’t enough volunteers, airlines may resort to bumping passengers, which the DOT calls “involuntary denied boarding.” According to the agency, travelers are eligible for compensation if they: had a confirmed reservation, checked in on time, arrived at their gate on time, and will be delayed by at least one hour due to rebooking.
How much involuntarily bumped passengers are entitled to receive
The amount an airline has to pay involuntarily bumped passengers depends on the price of their ticket and the amount of time they’ll be delayed in getting to their destination.
For domestic flights, passengers delayed by 1-2 hours are entitled to 200% of their one-way fare. Airlines can decide to cap the amount at $775.
Those delayed by two hours or more are entitled to 400% of their one-way fare, capped at $1,550.
For international flights, passengers delayed by 1-4 hours are entitled to 200% of their one-way fare, also capped at $775.
Those delayed by four hours or more are eligible for 400% of their one-way fare, capped at $1,550.
In most cases, airlines have to provide compensation at the airport on the same day, according to the DOT.
When airlines aren’t required to pay bumped passengers
There are a handful of situations in which the regulations outlined above don’t apply.
According to the DOT, passengers aren’t entitled to a payout if they’re involuntarily bumped due to an aircraft change or weight and balance issues. The rules also don’t apply to charter flights, small aircraft that hold fewer than 30 passengers, and flights originating outside the US.
Passengers who are kicked off of a flight for being unruly, drunk, or “having an offensive odor that is not caused by a disability or illness,” don’t need to be paid for their trouble.