Sunday, May 6, 2012

Legal Rights You Have Against Airplanes For Missing A Flight Because Of Overcapacity

By Lauralee Pursel


If you've been through the usual hassle and inconvenience of flying then you would know all too well that customer service isn't one of the airline's strong suits. What many people don't know about their operations is that they actually process more bookings than what their aircraft can actually handle especially during busy seasons. Thus it's not unusual to see ten or even twenty passengers ending up getting bumped and missing their original flight.

This is what most likely happened should you find yourself being bumped yourself after arriving at the airport in such a hurry. Airlines would most likely offer you the nicest terms possible but it is indeed disturbing to find that such practices remain relatively unchecked.

Now there are actually regulations enforced by the FAA that sanctions such occurrences but not many passengers are actually aware of this. Looking into these regulations and how they can benefit you as a passenger can certainly enable you to make the best out of the situation.

What airlines usually do in an effort to settle such inconveniences is to ask the passengers on-board if they are anyone among them who does not mind being bumped to the next flight.

However, it is significantly rare for a passenger to actually volunteer to be bumped unless there are pressing reasons for them to do so. In any case, this works to the airlines advantage since it helps them appease and inconvenienced passenger.

So what exactly do these airlines owe you should you find yourself in such situations? Well it all depends on your arrival time based on your original booking. If the next flight manages to reach your intended destination within the next two hours prior to the arrival time of your original booking then you are within your rights to demand that they issue a one-way ticket with a maximum value of $400.

But if the new flight fails to get you to your destination within the two hour timeframe mentioned above then the airlines is required to issue a ticket worth $800 in value.

Do you feel like travelling in a first class seat? An $800 ticket is typically enough to cover that and will certainly have you enjoying a comfortable and luxurious ride in compensation for being bumped.




About the Author:



No comments: