Overall, US airlines are bumping fewer travellers from flights, but American Airlines customers are more likely to be denied boarding than ticket-holding passengers on any other airline, the Dallas Morning News reports.
American Airlines bumped more than 3,400 passengers due to overbooking between July and September 2019, more than all other US airlines combined, according to data from the US Department of Transportation.
During the same period of time, Southwest Airlines bumped just 314 passengers, United Airlines bumped only 14, and Delta Air Lines bumped no passengers.
American is the largest US airline by passenger volume, followed by Delta, Southwest and United.
Despite the long-term downward trend industrywide, involuntary bumping has increased at American and other airlines in 2019.
American officials laid the blame on the grounding of its Boeing 737 Max jets and a dispute between the airline and its mechanics union.
“One reason they are bumping is a function of delays and cancellations,” said air travel analyst Henry Harteveldt. “It’s the chaotic situation that exists at American.”
