While flight delays contribute partially to the problem, denied boardings also complicate the behind the scenes baggage handling process. More than 680,000 passengers were denied boarding (voluntary and involuntary) on U.S. planes, about one in every 1,000 passengers (based on 2007 and 2008 data). United Airlines had 92,624 denied boardings in 2008 and 90,639 in 2007 – the highest number of denied boardings for U.S. planes in both years (see Air Travel Consumer Report, February 2009).
Despite the high number, United Airlines is far from the top of the list of airlines with the highest number of involuntary denied boardings per 10,000 passengers in 2008:
- Atlantic Southeast Airlines: 3.89
- Comair: 3.41
- American Eagle: 2.44
- Pinnacle Airlines: 1.71
- Delta Air Lines: 1.58
- Continental Airlines: 1.41
- Mesa Airlines: 1.36
- US Airways: 1.36
- Skywest Airlines: 1.34
- United Airlines: 1.18
- Southwest Airlines: 1.02
- Frontier Airlines: .94
It’s curious if the potential for mishandled baggage may increase in situations when passengers are denied boarding or other unusual circumstances such as rerouting. And while these numbers appear significant, the actual volume would even be higher if passengers affected by canceled, delayed or diverted flights were added to these totals.
United Airlines’ Janikowski Urbanski explains that United’s baggage policy for various boarding scenarios is to “do what is in the best interest of our customers while keeping a safe, on-time flight. And depending on several factors that could be sending the bag on the current flight or on a re-accommodated flight.”
Unfortunately, the behind the scenes baggage process for airlines remains a mystery to most travelers, including other nonstandard luggage situations such as standby and deplaning.
(continued on next page)
What You Should Know About Mishandled and Lost Airline Luggage, page 1
Should United Airlines’ Baggage Fees Raise Concern?, page 2
An In-Depth Look at Damaged and Lost Airline Luggage, page 3
Denied Boardings and Causes of Damaged and Lost Airline Luggage, page 4
What Is the Airlines Baggage Claims Process?, page 5