Transportation Department may change airline bumping rules

The US Department of Transportation is asking for public comment on possible changes to the rules governing over-sales or “bumping,” including a possible increase in the maximum compensation for passengers bumped from oversold flights.

The bumping rules were first adopted in 1962 to balance the rights of passengers with the needs of air carriers to minimize the effect of passengers with reservations who do not take their flight, according to the AP.

“If a flight is oversold, the airline must first seek volunteers who are willing to give up their seats in return for compensation offered by the airline. The airline may bump passengers involuntarily if not enough of them volunteer, and these passengers are eligible for cash compensation in most circumstances,” it said.

Under the current rule, if the airline can arrange alternate transportation scheduled to arrive at the passenger’s destination within two hours of the planned arrival time of the oversold flight – or four hours on international flights — the compensation is the amount of the fare to the passenger’s destination with a $200 maximum.

If the airline cannot meet these deadlines, the amount of compensation doubles, with a $400 maximum. These payments are in addition to the value of the passenger’s ticket, which the passenger can use for alternate transportation or have refunded if not used.

There are also occasions when airlines are not required to pay compensation, for example, where the passenger is provided alternate transportation scheduled to arrive at the passenger’s destination within one hour of the planned arrival time of the oversold flight.