I'm not sure if this is the correct place, but it seems to fall under consumer contracts... I was recently denied boarding on an oversold flight from Maui to Phoenix. I did not know federal regulations at the time, but I do now. And you can imagine, the airline is putting up a tooth and nail fight. According to law, I had to be confirmed on the flight, checked in on time, and denied boarding. Yes to all 3. Where it seems to be gray, and where the airlines seems to be hanging their hat, is they are saying I voluntarily left the flight to be redirected to another flight. Situation breakdown, I was number 6 on a flight oversold by 6 (I had already been rerouted from Honolulu to this flight due to a cancellation of my original flight direct to PHX). I was told by both the agents and reservations it was unlikely I would board the flight. This was the last flight off of Maui for the night, but the reservationist did direct me to another flight that would leave sooner. She said I could sit and wait for a flight I would not be able to board (and be stranded in Maui) or take the rerouted earlier flight through LAX. I accepted the rerouted flight and arrived at my destination more than 2 hours after my initial arrival. (Reservations said she would reroute me but I could continue to wait for the oversold flight, which I did. At the cutoff, the flight was still oversold by 5.) The airline's argument is since I accepted the earlier flight, I've been told that I voluntarily left the other flight. And that they don't need to comply with the federal regulation. Legal take on this??
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