Varun AggarwalThe dramatic way in which United Airlines dragged a passenger from its aircraft is perhaps one of the most extreme cases ever of bumping off, or offloading a passenger.

Bumping off is usually a result of overbooking, although in United’s case, the flight was not even overbooked (the airline just wanted to accommodate its four employees who arrived after the flight was boarded).

Indian airlines are often more conservative in overbooking than their American peers. In February this year, 2,988 passengers were denied boarding due to overbooking. It may seem like a big number but it’s just 0.03 per cent of 95.79 lakh passengers who flew in the month. In the US, the number is at least three times higher.

However, more than getting bumped off, it is the manner in which airlines handle the situation that makes the difference. If you take the recent United Airlines incident, the airline allowed all passengers to board the aircraft even when though it was flying full and had to accommodate an additional staff member.

That is something you’ll never get to see in India.

“Over 90 per cent of times, airlines inform passengers about bumping off at the check-in counter itself. However, in cases where several passengers have done online check-in, bumping off happens at the boarding gate. At no instance would any Indian airline allow extra passengers to board the flight,” an Air India official said.

Indian passengers also get compensated for the ordeal, apart from being given fresh flight tickets. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India, airlines are required to pay an amount equal to 200 per cent of booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge, subject to maximum of ₹10,000, in case airline arranges alternate flight that is scheduled to depart within 24 hours of the booked scheduled departure.

The amount doubles, in case airline arranges alternate flight that is scheduled to depart more than 24 hours after the booked scheduled departure.

Compensations are high even in the US but passengers are mostly given flight vouchers instead of cash. And if you’re an international traveller, flying to the US on a rare occasion, that voucher would be useless as the airline would not allow the voucher to be used on any other code-share partner airline.

“Geting off boarded at the boarding gate is a big hassle. But given how most American airlines refuse to give cash compensation, makes the whole experience extremely disappointing,” said Avinash Goenka, a marketing professional living in Mumbai who was recently bumped off from a transit flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas.

In India, you’d be more likely to be bumped off if you’re flying particular airlines. For example, IndiGo, GoAir and Vistara don’t overbook. Among Air India, Jet Airways and SpiceJet, you’re most likely to be bumped off if you’re flying Jet Airways or Jet Lite. Nearly 80 per cent of all passengers who were denied boarding in February were flying Jet Airways.

Next time, make sure you do online check-in for your flight before you reach the airport, or reach the airport at least 1.5 hours before the flight to avoid getting off-boarded.

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