From its humble beginnings to its position as one of the world’s largest airlines, American Airlines has played a pivotal role in shaping the aviation industry. Founded in 1930, the company quickly grew to become a major airline operator in the United States, especially the domestic market, while also playing a crucial role in the development of commercial aviation and pioneering transcontinental flights.
Today, American Airlines operates a vast network of flights to destinations around the globe, and its present fleet consists of modern aircraft, including some of the latest releases, such as the Airbus A321 Neos and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The company operates its frequent flyer program, popularly known as ‘AAdvantage’, where passengers are rewarded with miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other perks. However, like any other major airline operator, it also had its fair share of difficulties over the years, including the fluctuations in fuel prices and competition from other low-cost carriers like Spirit and Allegiant Airlines. These difficulties prompted them to implement various cost-cutting measures, one of which includes allowing overbooking of flight tickets, for combating customer absentees.
If you have been denied boarding – voluntarily or involuntarily – from an American Airlines flight due to an oversold flight, then our extensive guide can help you obtain the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
Eligibility Criteria For Compensation
American Airlines states that ‘denied boarding’ usually occurs when they have an oversold flight on their hands. Typically, a flight is ‘oversold’ when there are more checked-in passengers than the number of seats available on the flight. When such a situation arises, the company will do their best to find volunteers to change flights.
In cases where there are not enough volunteers, American Airlines will choose customers to change flights ‘involuntary’ and ultimately ‘deny boarding’. And in doing so, the company will provide compensation as well as arrange alternative transport on the next possible flight.
For ‘voluntary denied boarding’, where passengers are willing or have volunteered to give up their seats, compensation will be provided in a form and amount (in monetary terms) that will be solely determined by the airline operator.
On the other hand, for ‘involuntary denied boarding’, where there are not enough volunteers who are willing to give up their seats in an oversold flight, the airline operator will choose customers to change flights involuntarily and deny boarding. Boarding priority will be given to certain customers, based on their circumstances. These include passengers having special needs, traveling as unaccompanied minors, having AAdvantage Elite status membership, having a first/business/premium economy ticket, or checked-in for the flight at the earliest. Keep in mind that the selection process will be at the sole discretion of the flight operator.
No passenger will be provided with the aforementioned ‘involuntary denied boarding compensation’ if any of the following situations arise: the flight is canceled; the plane has 60 or fewer seats; the passenger was offered a seat in a section of the plane that is different from the original ticket (refund will be provided if the seat is of lower value than what was originally booked); the passenger has reached his or her next stopover or final destination within 1 hour of the original flight arrival time; and if the passenger fails to comply with American Airlines’ ticketing, check-in, and reconfirmation requirements.
What Are Your Available Options
It should be known that the amount of compensation that you will receive from American Airlines will depend on how late you will reach your next stopover or final destination. The company’s goal is to always get you to your next stopover or final destination as soon as possible, which is why you may be offered flights on other airlines as well as via non-air travel (such as via trains).
If you are traveling within the United States and your alternative travel option arrives up to 1 hour late from the time of your original flight, then no compensation will be provided. On the other hand, 1-2 hour delays will compensate you with an amount that is 200 per cent of your one-way fare (subject to a maximum amount of $775). Lastly, for more than 2-hour delays, the compensation will be 400 per cent of your one-way fare (subject to a maximum amount of $1550).
For international journeys, up to 1-hour delays will not be compensated. But, for delays between 1-4 hours, the compensatory amount will be 200 per cent of your one-way fare (limited to a maximum amount of $775). And for delays lasting more than 4 hours, the amount will be 400 per cent of your one-way fare (limited to a maximum amount of $1550).
Lastly, if you are traveling from any of the EU (European Union) countries, then a travel voucher will be provided that can be used for 1 ticket to anywhere American Airlines flies. Additionally, a cheque of 300 EUR will be provided if the delay is under 4 hours or 600 EUR if the delay is more than 4 hours.
Easy Steps to Claim Compensation
According to American Airlines, compensation will be provided in the form of a cheque or travel credit the same day (of your denied boarding), at the airport or via mail within 24 hours. However, if 24 hours have elapsed and if you still have not received your due payment, then you can file a claim through the below-mentioned steps judiciously.
- Start by first giving a phone to American Airlines customer support at 800-433-7300. Phone lines are open 24×7.
- Navigate through the on-call menus and select the option to speak to a customer care executive.
- Once a customer care agent connects to your call, state that you want to file a claim for compensation relating to your involuntary denial of boarding on your flight.
- Proceed to provide your name, original ticket number, and flight number. Additionally, if you have already reached your final destination, then do not forget to provide the ticket number and flight number of your alternative transportation. Also, be sure to provide any other information that the customer care executive asks for.
- After obtaining all the required data, the agent will then check the current status for your compensation and will let you know the maximum estimated time you need to wait for the same.
