Can Airlines Kick Passenger Off Their Plane?

Airlines can kick you off their plane if you violate their rules or behave in a disruptive or dangerous manner. Each airline has its own policies and procedures for handling such situations, but in general, an airline has the right to remove a passenger from a flight if it believes the passenger’s behavior poses a risk to the safety and security of the flight or other passengers.

Passenger behaviors that may result in being removed from a plane

Examples of behavior that could result in being kicked off a plane include:

• Refusing to follow the instructions of the flight crew
• Being intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
• Using abusive or threatening language
• Endangering the safety of the aircraft or other passengers
• Damaging the aircraft or its equipment

It’s important to remember that when you purchase a ticket for a flight, you are agreeing to the airline’s terms and conditions, which may include provisions for removing passengers who violate the rules. It’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the policies of the airline you are traveling with before your flight.

What is involuntary denied boarding or bumping?

Involuntary denied boarding, also known as bumping, occurs when an airline is unable to accommodate all passengers who have valid tickets for a particular flight. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as overbooking, weight and balance limitations, or a need to accommodate passengers with special needs.

When an airline must involuntarily deny boarding to passengers, it is required to follow certain procedures and provide compensation, as required by the US Department of Transportation (DOT). These rules apply to flights that are oversold (i.e., more passengers have tickets than there are seats on the plane) and to flights that are not oversold but are unable to accommodate all passengers due to operational or other reasons.

If you are involuntarily denied boarding a domestic flight in the United States, the airline must provide you with a notice explaining your rights and the compensation you are entitled to receive. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the length of your delay and the price of your ticket.

• Up to 200% of the one-way fare (up to a maximum of $775) for a delay of one to two hours.
• Up to 400% of the one-way fare (up to a maximum of $1,550) for a delay longer than two hours.

It’s important to note that airlines in other countries may have different rules and compensation policies for involuntary denied boarding.