Per IATA convention, interline partners have upto 72 hours to confirm inventory. Regardless of whether the ticket was issued correctly, DL has the right to accept or deny the invol rebooking, which is why standard practice is for the endorsing carrier to call/telex the operating carrier to confirm the inventory.

Here's an example when CrankyFlier highlighted this issue for passengers he was helping: https://crankyflier.com/2013/07/23/o...rom-the-field/

This thread proves that overbooking is now a thing again (despite after the Dao incident everyone saying they wont anymore).....just because there is availability doesnt mean there are seats.....

When i worked for AA; we had the right to refuse to take OA pax if it meant overselling the flight - we always were asked if there indeed were seats (and vice versa). DL did the right thing here - it was AS trying to deflect thier pax as quickly as possible with these kind of results. It rarely happens like this but with winter and holidays...

To be clear this is an issue with overbooking and being moved to OAL.

This is how airlines do it. This is why airlines are supposed to call/telex the OAL before booking the passenger on OAL.

What's telex?

It is a text based messaging system that has "legal document status" in every country in the world.

https://www.networktelex.com/faq/

Unlike fax or email, Telex has full “legal document status" in every country of the world. It carries proof of RECEIPT as well as proof of sending due to its unique electronic handshake on each message. It remains a reliable communication tool with specific needs in Banking, Aviation and Maritime, although is still widely used in many secure environments including Embassies, Governments, Post Offices and Military organisations worldwide.

James

Thanks, my question was kind of tongue in cheek. I remember my dad using telex some 30 years ago. Then later the company switched to telefax, then email.

My real question, I guess, is: do airlines and specifically airport stations actually (still) use it for confirming bookings? Somewhat shocking that this doesn’t happen instantly via integrated computer systems. The 72 hr IATA rule cited above seems to be a relic from the telex days when someone manually had to do something with a request.