The Department of Transportation is seeking comments on increasing the compensation for passengers involuntarily bumped from oversold flights, including extending the rule to aircraft with 30 to 60 seats. DOT has issued a request for comments on five proposals being circulated. The Department asked for comment on: increasing the $200 compensation limit to $624 and the $400 limit to $1,248; increasing the compensation limits to $290 and $580, respectively; doubling the compensation limits to $400 and $800; eliminating all compensation limits and making compensation equal to the value of the ticket with the payment doubling for longer delays; or leaving the current limits in place. It also wants to clarify the criteria airlines may use in deciding the order in which passengers will be bumped.
First adopted in 1962, current rules require airlines to 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. The request can be found here.