Passengers have tickets but are kicked off the plane. This is the most common thing that this low-cost airline in the United States does_1

A recent survey indicates that Frontier Airlines tops the list as the most frequently guilty airline of overselling seats and involuntarily bumping passengers, with a staggering rate of 3.21 per 10,000 passengers. This frequency far surpasses that of other major airlines in the United States.

According to Travel + Leisure, a study by Upgraded Points from early 2023 to 2024 reveals that for every 10,000 passengers traveling with Frontier Airlines, approximately 3.21 are forced to give up their seats, which is 400% higher than any other U.S. airline.

American Airlines is second on the list, with 0.6 passengers per 10,000 being involuntarily bumped, followed by Spirit Airlines, which has a rate of 0.43 per 10,000.

Keri Stooksbury, editor of Upgraded Points, explained that there’s nothing more frustrating than purchasing a flight ticket only to be denied boarding. This issue arises because airlines often oversell tickets, anticipating that some passengers won’t show up. The research aimed to inform travelers about which airlines are more likely to pose this risk.

In contrast, Delta Air Lines and Allegiant Air report a zero involuntary bumping rate. However, Delta leads in the number of passengers who voluntarily give up their seats, with a rate of 7.49 per 10,000 travelers.

When airlines oversell seats, they typically offer compensation to passengers willing to give up their seats, which may include cash, upgrades on later flights, or access to VIP lounges.

The study also found that acceptable compensation amounts vary significantly by state. Passengers in Arkansas are willing to accept an average minimum compensation of $382, while those in California demand higher compensation, averaging $832.

Factors such as layover times and different times of the year (like holidays) also influence passengers’ willingness to give up their seats.