In the flurry of government activity as the Trump administration left office, air passengers got a sort of gift: New Department of Transportation rules forbid airlines from bumping a passenger once he or she is seated, or has a boarding pass.
The new rule, along with changes in compensation, go into effect in April, four years to the day Dr. David Dao was dragged off a United Airlines flight, sparking new attention on bumping, or as it’s technically called, ‘denied boarding.’ Travel expert Pauline Frommer has noted that the rule had been sitting on a desk for some time, but was signed by the acting Secretary less than 24 hours after Secretary Elaine Chao resigned following the Jan. 6 Capitol invasion.
Other provisions of the rule increase compensation for denied boarding delays of up to two hours from $675 to $775, and for longer delays from $1350 to $1550, and makes clear that those are minimums. Mishandled luggage maximum penalties will rise from $3,500 to $3,800.
