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They can totally ban the customer, but they also totally would need to give back the fare difference in all likelihood.
@Lian
That was presumably either a US or a European airline. In the US, airlines are common carriers who have to ‘play nice’ in order to get lots of benefits from the government. They answer to the DOT and the FAA. In the EU, consumer protections are even stronger than in the US. Either way, airlines cannot arbitrarily decide to ban a member of the flying public without having a very good, legally defensible reason.
In the US, airlines are common carriers who have to ‘play nice’ in order to get lots of benefits from the government. They answer to the DOT and the FAA.
The US is the home of regulatory capture. Airlines like Jetblue and Spirit regularly move around and delay flights with zero consequences, and the DOT won’t do a thing for something that is beyond the scope of the laws as written. I have written complaints to the DOT multiple times; nothing ever happens. The only reason I write to the DOT is because, even if nothing happens on an individual case basis, on the aggregate they get a bad rap because so many people don’t complain. When you do, you are an overrepresented sample.
@Corey
Disputing a credit card transaction is a good and legally defensible reason for a company to not continue doing business with someone.
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Airlines get away with shit all the time.
Actually, the airline can ban you for any or no reason. It’s a private business. They’re not legally required to serve you.
Actually, the airline can ban you for any or no reason. It’s a private business. They’re not legally required to serve you.
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@West
I agree with what you’re saying, but I think the point you’re missing is they can do these things; it’s just that they can also be held accountable for doing these things.
@West
They owe him a refund for the fare difference. They don’t owe anything else.
JAMESON said:
@West
They owe him a refund for the fare difference. They don’t owe anything else.
Who said they owed anything else?
JAMESON said:
@West
They owe him a refund for the fare difference. They don’t owe anything else.
Who said they owed anything else?
Many are trying to comment that the airline cannot ban him, or that he has a right to fly with the airline. I disagree.
An airline isn’t obliged to do business with you. So yes, they can just blacklist a customer and say no. I’m not saying that’s what would happen, but none of us has a right to shop anywhere. It needs two willing parties.
@WanderlustWill
They are a common carrier regulated by the FAA; they have to have a legitimate reason.
@WanderlustWill
100% a business can arbitrarily deny business as long as it isn’t for a reason that is a protected class.
If this was a US airline, file with the Department of Transportation. If this was an EU/UK airline, file with their appropriate government authority.
Arun said:
If this was a US airline, file with the Department of Transportation. If this was an EU/UK airline, file with their appropriate government authority.
DOT will do nothing. Not even respond. I had the same thing happen, and absolutely nothing, even with multiple follow-ups.
Name and shame the airline. Also, if you booked with a reputed credit card, ask for their assistance, aka purchase protection.
Why would you feel like a Karen for calling the airline after this happened?
Gael said:
Why would you feel like a Karen for calling the airline after this happened?
Because society is making people feel like ‘Karens’ over everything these days. Standing up for yourself over a legitimate issue shouldn’t be one of those things… but I see it in groups all the time.