Couple shows up to board plane for honeymoon, but find out American Airlines gave away their paid-for seat: ‘I don’t get how they oversell seats’

Most passengers have heard about airlines overselling tickets. It is standard practice across U.S. carriers. But it is one thing to hear about it, and another to get involuntarily bumped from a flight on your honeymoon.

That is what allegedly happened to TikTok creator Ruby Noren (@rubynoren) and her husband when they tried to board their American Airlines flight to their first vacation together as newlyweds.

In a recent video that got over 2.3 million views, Noren and her husband appear to be sitting at the gate after learning he no longer had a seat.

“American Airlines, we’re on our way to our honeymoon and you oversold the flight and now we’re at the airport and my husband doesn’t have a seat.. that we purchased..” she wrote in the video’s text overlay.

She also called out the airline in the caption: “Come on @American Airlines.”

Why Do Airlines Oversell Seats?

Airlines oversell when they accept more confirmed reservations than there are seats on the plane. If more passengers show up ready to fly than the aircraft can carry, someone may be “bumped.” The Department of Transportation (DOT) calls denied boarding.

DOT says most airlines overbook flights to account for “no-shows,” meaning passengers who have confirmed reservations but do not actually board.

Instead of flying with empty seats, airlines use historical data to predict how many people are likely to miss the flight, change plans, or fail to show. Much of the time, that prediction checks out, and flights go smoothly.

But when too many passengers actually show up, is when someone has to be left behind.

What Does DOT Require Airlines to Do?

While the practice is legal, there are rules airlines have to follow.

If a flight is oversold, DOT rules say airlines must try to keep the number of involuntarily bumped passengers as low as possible.

They must also ask for volunteers before bumping anyone against their will. Airlines often offer money, travel vouchers, or other compensation to passengers willing to give up their seats.

If there are not enough volunteers, the airline can choose who gets bumped based on its boarding-priority rules.

Generally, airlines cannot deny boarding or remove a passenger from the aircraft once the passenger is already inside the plane.

When Does the Airline Have to Pay?

A passenger generally qualifies for denied boarding compensation if they are involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight. The requirements are that they would need to be departing from a U.S. airport. Additionally, it’s required that the passenger has a confirmed reservation, checked in, and arrived at the gate on time.

For domestic flights, there is no compensation if the airline arranges transportation that would arrive close to their original flight.

If the alternate transportation is scheduled to arrive more than one hour but less than two hours late, the passenger is entitled to at least 200% of the fare, capped at $1,075.

If the airline cannot arrange alternate transportation scheduled to arrive less than two hours after the original arrival time, the passenger is entitled to at least 400% of the fare, capped at $2,150.

For international flights departing from the U.S., the same compensation caps apply, but the higher 400% tier kicks in when the delay is more than four hours.

The airline must generally offer the payment at the airport on the same day. If it arranges alternate transportation that leaves before the payment can be prepared, it has to pay within 24 hours.

Viewers Could Not Believe It

In the comments, viewers were frustrated by the idea that an airline can sell more seats than it actually has.

“They always act shocked when everyone shows up for the flight they they paid for,” one person wrote.

“The fact you were on the same reservation and they split you up is WILD,” another said.

“I do not understand how this is legal,” a third wondered. “Why are they allowed to sell seats that they literally don’t have available to sell?”

“All you saying you were bumped for hours you are entitled to $$ from the airline!!” a fourth commenter wrote. “Know your rights when flying- make these companies pay!!!”

@rubynoren Come on @American Airlines ♬ original sound – Alexis Cervantes

The Mary Sue has reached out to Noren via TikTok and American Airlines via email for comment.

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