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Overbooking Practices: How Air Dolomiti Manages Compensation and Rebooking

Posted on the 28 February 2024 by Jyoti92 @Jyoti_Chauhan1

If you’ve been denied boarding due to overbooking, you know how frustrating it can be. You purchased your ticket and expect to have a seat on the flight. However, airlines overbook their flights intentionally and sometimes a passenger disruption like this happens.

Keep reading to learn why airlines overbook their flights, the difference between involuntary and voluntary bumping, and Air Dolomiti’s approach to overbooking and denied boarding compensation.

Air Dolomiti’s Approach to Overbooking: An Overview

Overbooking is a part of Air Dolomiti’s booking strategy. When the airline denies boarding due to overbooking, passengers receive Air Dolomiti compensation and assistance in finding alternate flights. Regulation EC261/2004 also requires airlines to provide denied boarding compensation.

What is Overbooking and Why Do Airlines Use It?

Overbooking is when airlines sell more tickets than there are seats available. Based on historical data, airlines can accurately predict the number of no-shows for each flight, and to avoid losing profit from unused seats airlines overbook their flights.

Overbooking Practices: How Air Dolomiti Manages Compensation and Rebooking

Unfortunately, predictions aren’t always correct and there are not enough seats available for all passengers waiting to board.

Air Dolomiti’s Policy: Balancing Demand and Capacity

Proactive Measures to Prevent Passenger Disruption

There are some proactive measures an airline can take to prevent passenger disruption and minimize customer dissatisfaction caused by overbooking.

  • Early notification

Providing notification of denied boarding can help alleviate the inconvenience of overbooking. By notifying passengers early, passengers and airlines have more time to make alternate arrangements.

  • Fair and transparent policies. 

Flight disruptions are unpleasant, but having fair, transparent policies on issues like denied boarding and Air Dolomiti’s delayed baggage compensation can minimize customer dissatisfaction and help airlines maintain a positive reputation.

The Role of Technology in Managing Overbookings

Advanced technology can analyze data to accurately predict demand and minimize the chance of overbooking. Airlines can also send early notifications to passengers to warn of any possible overbooking or Air Dolomiti cancellations.

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Bumping: Criteria and Compensation

When an airline overbooks a flight, they will ask for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation. This is known as voluntary bumping. 

There is no set compensation for voluntary bumping. The passenger and airline negotiate to determine the compensation, which may be paid in cash, vouchers or other means.

If there are no volunteers, the airline will then deny boarding to passengers. This is known as involuntary bumping.  

The airline is required to compensate passengers for involuntary bumping in accordance with EC261/2004. Air Dolomiti’s compensation is as follows:

  • €250 for flights 1,500 km or less;
  • €400 for flights of more than 1,500 within the EU;
  • €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km outside of the EU;
  • €600 for flights longer than 3,500 km;

If the airline finds an alternate flight that results in a delay of less than three hours, they’re not required to pay compensation. If you think the airline is offering unfair compensation, you can contact Skycop to manage your claim and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Rebooking Processes

Immediate Solutions: The Rebooking Procedure at Air Dolomiti

If you’re denied boarding, speak with Dolomiti airlines staff and find an alternate flight. In the case of a delay of more than two hours, the airline will provide meals and refreshments.

Long-Term Rebooking Options: Flexibility and Passenger Choices

If you must postpone your flight until the following day, the airline will provide accommodation and meals. Passengers who were denied boarding also have the choice to deny alternate flights from the airline and receive a ticket refund instead. 

Collaborations with Other Airlines: Expanding Passenger Options

The airline has interline agreements, which means they work with other airlines to find alternate flights for passengers from an Air Dolomiti cancelled flight or denied boarding. 

How Air Dolomiti Ensures Compliance with International Regulations

The Air Dolomiti cancellation policy adheres to EC261/2004. Article 9 establishes that airlines must provide care for passengers denied boarding. This includes meals, refreshments and accommodation for passengers involuntarily denied boarding.

In conclusion

Airlines use demand forecasting to predict no-shows, but when their prediction is off, they may have to deny boarding to some passengers. Keep in mind if you’re denied boarding, you’re entitled to the same compensation as you would be for Air Dolomiti flight cancellation.

There are some actions Dolomiti airlines can take to minimize the inconvenience of overbooking, such as early notification or transparent compensation policies.

With the rapid development of technology like predictive analytics, hopefully, demand forecasting will become so precise that situations rarely occur. 

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