Tiffany Gomas, a marketing executive who went viral for her outburst on an American Airlines flight, publicly apologized on Sunday evening for her conduct.
27.07.2023 - 18:21 / smartertravel.com
Good news: Fewer and fewer travelers are being bumped from flights. And according to the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), it isn’t just fewer, it’s the fewest on record:
Not only that, but bumping is at record lows for the entire year, and almost half the rate it was in 2016.
Related:United Airlines Has a Plan to Fix Its Public ImageOf course, involuntary bumping has been a prominent news story this year, thanks largely to the aggressive, controversial, and very involuntary removal of a United Airlines passenger several months ago. That story threw the practice of involuntary bumping into the limelight, though the issue has never been particularly widespread.
Most overbooking situations are solved through voluntary, compensated bumping. Many airlines have increased the incentives they offer to passengers in those situations, which is likely a key factor in bringing down the rate of involuntary bumping. United raised its maximum compensation to $10,000 following the aforementioned incident.
Passengers will likely never receive that full amount, but it shows that airlines recognize the gravity of the issue. Involuntary bumping is a customer experience nightmare and, as United showed, can quickly escalate into a PR disaster. So, while it may be largely an act of self-preservation, it’s a relief to see that airlines take this as seriously as they should.
Readers, have you ever been involuntarily bumped from a flight? Comment below.
More from SmarterTravel.com: Involuntary Bumping: What to Do If You’re Removed from a Flight What Are Your Rights When You’re Involuntarily Bumped? Congressman Introduces Passenger “Bill of Rights” LegislationWe hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Tiffany Gomas, a marketing executive who went viral for her outburst on an American Airlines flight, publicly apologized on Sunday evening for her conduct.
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