It's important to note that the airline is required to pay cash[0], not vouchers, for involuntary bumping, and this is supposed to happen before boarding. They

It's important to note that the airline is required to pay cash[0], not vouchers, for involuntary bumping, and this is supposed to happen before boarding. They dragged the man off the plane after he was already seated. He was not denied boarding, he was forcibly removed, so this falls under Rule 21 of the Carriage Contract[1], not rule 25. He does not meet any of the criteria for rule 21, however. [0]: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/fly-rights#Overbooking https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/fly-rights#Overbo... [1]: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/contract-of-carriage.aspx#sec21 https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/contract-of-carriag...