> They apparently got a curious deal That seems unlikely. If you are denied entry the airline is responsible for returning you, which is why they are so string

> They apparently got a curious deal That seems unlikely. If you are denied entry the airline is responsible for returning you, which is why they are so stringent about checking for visas before you even check in. My wife was working for a Middle Eastern airline a few years ago, and had a flight to Brazil (~16 hours). They only fly twice a week, so she had a layover of a few days there. On the way back she saw a few men who were on the flight there with her too. Apparently they were denied entry, so had to wait in the airport (airside) for three days until the next flight back. Even worse was after this flight they had to get another flight to go back home. So thousands of dollars and a week of travelling for nothing...