DOT Fines Southwest $200K For Passenger-Bumping Missteps

The Department of Transportation today levied a $200,000 fine against Southwest Airlines for failing to comply with federally regulated procedures that govern how carriers handle passengers bumped from oversold flights.

DOT requires carriers to seek volunteers to give up seats in oversold situations, and if not enough come forward, airlines must give bumped passengers a written statement "describing their rights and explaining how it decides who will be bumped from an oversold flight." DOT said in most cases, bumped passengers also are entitled to compensation up to $800.

After an investigation that included reviewing customer complaints against Southwest, DOT found "numerous instances in which Southwest denied boarding to passengers but did not comply with provisions of the bumping rule."

DOT said Southwest could allocate $20,000 of the total fine "to develop methods beyond what DOT requires to provide prominent notice to passengers of the carrier's oversales policies and the rights of bumped passengers."