Originally Posted by
LaserSailor
The boarding pass is no magical Golden Ticket to a seat. An airline is free to remove you from a flight for many operational reasons, or more correctly, ask you to remove yourself.
If you refuse, they are free to ask assistsnce from LEO to help you leave, as well as charge you under Federal law.
Actually, it’s not that easy, as far as I can tell. From the DOT:
Can airlines involuntarily bump me after I have boarded the flight?- Generally, no. If you have met the following conditions, airlines are not allowed to deny you permission to board, or remove you from the flight if you have already boarded the flight:
- You have checked-in for your flight before the check-in deadline set by the airlines; and
- A gate agent has accepted your paper boarding pass or electronically scanned your boarding pass and let you know that you may proceed to board.
- However, airlines may deny boarding or remove you from a flight even after accepting your boarding pass and informing you that you may proceed to board if the denial or removal is due to a safety, security, or health risk, or due to a behavior that is considered obscene, disruptive, or otherwise unlawful.
https://www.transportation.gov/indiv...ping-oversales
I believe that was adopted after the United/Dao incident.