Flight Bump Compensation For U.S. Airlines

If an airline bumps you off to another flight, they owe you flight bump compensation depending on the circumstances. Under the Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, you are entitled to compensation if you are involuntarily denied boarding due to oversales and mismanagement on the airlines part. This means that the airline had more passengers booked on the flight than there were seats available. These unfortunate events are more common nowadays so its best to your rights as a paying passenger.

Your flight bump compensation amount

The amount of compensation you are entitled to depends on the length of the flight and whether you are bumped on a domestic or international flight. Remember these only applies to U.S. airlines. Airlines in other countries have their own policies regarding flight bump compensation.

• For domestic flights, you are entitled to:
  • 200% of the one-way fare of the flight you were bumped from, up to $775, if your new flight arrives at your destination between one and two hours after your original scheduled arrival time.
  • 400% of the one-way fare of the flight you were bumped from, up to $1,550, if your new flight arrives at your destination more than two hours after your original scheduled arrival time.

• For international flights, you are entitled to:
  • 400% of the one-way fare of the flight you were bumped from, up to $1,350, if your new flight arrives at your destination between one and four hours after your original scheduled arrival time.
  • 600% of the one-way fare of the flight you were bumped from, up to $2,700, if your new flight arrives at your destination more than four hours after your original scheduled arrival time.

You are also entitled to full refund

You are also entitled to a full refund for your original ticket. Know your rights and speak immediately to the airline representative at your gate. The information above is directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation website as of 2023.

The airlines aren’t required to pay if…

The airline is not required to pay compensation if the bumping is due to extraordinary circumstances, such as bad weather or even air traffic control delays. However, they must still provide you with a rebooked flight or a refund, and to provide food, drink, and accommodation if the delay is overnight. Write this information down for future reference.

Ask for compensation immediately

If you are bumped from a flight, you should ask the airline for compensation immediately at the gate or in the airport. You should also keep your ticket and any other documentation related to your flight. If you are unable to get compensation from the airline, you may be able to file a complaint with the DOT. DOT complaint information can be found here.

List of U.S. based airlines

List of popular U.S. airlines in which this flight bump compensation applies to.

• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines
• Avelo Airlines
• Breeze Airways
• Delta Airlines
• Eastern Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• United Airlines