Inspired by Airline: overbooking flights

[Chicago526]

Cigar95 is right about the airlines needing to overbook to help keep airline ticket prices low. If they didn't oversell, those $50 one way fares could never be offered. And look how much time and effort most of us put into FINDING these super low fares! We complain when we can't get the cheap fares, but then complain when we get bumped! We can't have it both ways!

That said, there is a limit to how many seats should be oversold. Several times, the show Airline has shown SWA flights over booked by 30, 40, and even 50 seats (and I'm not picking on SWA, they aren't the only ones!). That's just not right!

Let the buyer beware! It's our job to fit the flight we book to our travel needs. If you have someplace you 100% must be at by a certain date/time, then it's up to YOU to book the flight that gives you the best chance of getting there. Booking a flight scheduled to arrive the same day that your cruise leaves on an airline known for bumping and stranding passengers for a whole day (even if it's rare) is not a very good idea! Book yourself to fly in the day before and book a cheap hotel if that's what it takes. Better to spend an extra $70 on a hotel than throw a vacation that costs thousands of $$$ out the window because you missed the boat (literaly)! It's not like bumping is a big secret, we all need to think a little before hitting that "purchase" button on the web site. And it's not just bumping, it could be anything that delays or cancels a flight, such as weather or a mechanical problem.

 

[Beast fan]

I didn't vote, since there wasn't an "other" category.
My belief is that they shouldn't overbook by more than 5% of the plane.

If the plane seats 40, overbook by 2....... 100 passengers, overbook by 5.

Just my 2 cents.

Dave

 

[Daisimae]

Booking a flight scheduled to arrive the same day that your cruise leaves on an airline known for bumping and stranding passengers for a whole day (even if it's rare) is not a very good idea! Book yourself to fly in the day before and book a cheap hotel if that's what it takes. Better to spend an extra $70 on a hotel than throw a vacation that costs thousands of $$$ out the window because you missed the boat (literaly)!

I agree with this wholeheartedly!! When I see these people on Airline complaining about oversells. It is the first thing I think of. I know personally, if I'm booked on a ship that leaves a port in FL at 3pm, I do not want to be in MA at 8am that morning. I'd much rather be in a hotel close enough to drive or wating for motor coach transportation. If you absolutely, positively have to be somewhere, check in online at the earliest possible time. Then get to the airport two hours early and actually wait at the gate, so you will be ready when your flight is called.

 

[LSchrow]

sometimes overbooking can be a boon.........
few years ago, we arrived at LGA about 15 min before take-off (limo driver had fallen asleep ). as we're (literally) running thru the airport, we hear our last name over the PA system.
out of breath (dang asthma!!), sweaty & disheveled ~ check-in informs us that we've been bumped..........to first-class!!

if we were more daring, we would actually consider trying to be late again (rather than our normal "2 hours early"), but i'm not sure our hearts could take it..............