If American bumps you from a flight because the plane is overbooked and you did not volunteer to give up your seat, federal law requires American to pay you a set amount of money based on how long the delay is and what you paid for your ticket.
This analysis describes what American Airlines's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding have federally mandated compensation rights that American is required to honor; the specific dollar amounts are set by DOT regulation and can be substantial for long delays.
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View change record →Removed specific compensation amounts ($775 cap, 200% formula) and delay time parameters, instead referencing variable DOT regulations based on delay length and fare.
View full change record →An involuntarily bumped passenger may be entitled to compensation of up to 400% of their one-way fare, capped at $1,550 under current DOT rules for delays over two hours on domestic flights; passengers should ask for the written statement of their rights at the gate.
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"Customers who are denied boarding involuntarily due to an oversold flight are entitled to compensation as required by DOT regulations. Compensation amounts depend on the length of the delay in reaching the customer's destination and the fare paid.Excerpt from American Airlines's Terms of Use
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Involuntary denied boarding compensation is mandated by DOT regulations under 14 CFR Part 250; the DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection enforces compliance.
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Passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding have federally mandated compensation rights that American is required to honor; the specific dollar amounts are set by DOT regulation and can be substantial for long delays.
An involuntarily bumped passenger may be entitled to compensation of up to 400% of their one-way fare, capped at $1,550 under current DOT rules for delays over two hours on domestic flights; passengers should ask for the written statement of their rights at the gate.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 287 platforms. See the full comparison.
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