Reports of airlines, including Delta and Air France, denying valid American visa-holders boarding flights from Europe to the US are snowballing. The epicentre of the problem is Croatia, a non-Schengen country, where travelers can typically circumvent the US travel ban on Europe. That’s after spending at least two weeks there.
Instead, hundreds of travelers are finding themselves stranded – sometimes for several days. One likely reason for this is overbooking. That’s the accusation from passengers who’ve been bumped off flights – an age-old problem.
@Delta @airfrance 30 Europeans this week stranded in Dubrovnik. All with regular VISA and >14 days quarantine outside Schengen. Is it overbooking?The crew at the airport blame @CBPNewYorkCity. What is going on? We need to go back to work, we risk losing our job. We need answers
— Denise Acocella (@AcocellaDenise) August 22, 2021
One flyer, Tommaso, had to fork out for 4 nights in a hotel after his wife – and “dozens of other visa holders” were denied boarding on their flight from Dubrovnik to JFK late last week.
“We spent 18 days outside Schengen so we could fly back home – since the EU is still banned,” he says.
Hi there, @tapos88. I am sorry this was your experience. Please contact our Customer Care specialist for further assistance at 1-800-455-2720 7:00am-11:00pm, EST. Kali
— Delta (@Delta) August 22, 2021
Europe US Flights: Airlines Deliberately Overbooking Passengers Say
Why was his wife denied boarding? Despite both Italians having valid US visas for the Europe to US flight. And staying in a non-Schengen country for the required time due to the drawn-out Europe travel ban.
“To me, it looks like Delta is using the travel ban to leave EU citizens on the ground so they can make space for Americans, since all their flights are overbooked,” says Tommaso. “On top of that, they don’t have to give you money for accommodation because they are blaming US customs. Pretty disgusting.”
He accuses the airline of using the US customs and border protection, CBD, as a pretext for bumping their flight.
“The big question is why my wife was denied boarding, but not me? The airline keep saying it is because of US customs, but that’s simply not true.
“Supposedly, US customs randomly denies boarding to EU citizens, ESTA and visa holders. I for sure do not buy that crap. It seems to be an excuse from Delta to deny boarding by EU citizens in order to solve their overbooking issues.”
The couple was put on standby for a flight 3 days later. “You completely ruined my vacation,” Tommaso tweeted.
Delta is often charged with overselling seats. Only, here they are not being upfront about that.
Delta has not replied to requests for clarification on the problem. But Tommaso and his wife are far from alone.
There are hundreds of tweets from travelers who are currently being left stranded high and dry in Dubrovnik.
Passengers Accuse Airlines of Discrimination Against European Travelers
According to California-based legal publisher, Nolo, these are some of the reasons why an airline might deny boarding to a US visa holder. These reports from travelers don’t seem to fit that bill. It appears more a question of the airlines overbooking and bumping flights expressly.
Some of the passengers are so frustrated, they put it down to random discrimination.
Regular #visaholders with 14+ days outside Schengen & negative test are currently denied boarding in 🇭🇷 by @Delta and @airfrance with no reason.
The #travelban is now pure xenophobia against Europeans.#VisaHoldersAreNotTourists #liftthetravelban @CBP @EU_Commission @USTravel— Alessandro Onori (@OnoriAlex) August 21, 2021
The upshot, says Tommaso, is they feel they are being treated like “illegal immigrants”.
“And we had to go through all this in order to go back to a country where we live and pay taxes. We are not criminals.”
Travelers Want Customs To Probe The Issue
Many are pushing for further explanation. From both the airline and customs officials. One group of 25 passengers – some whose flights from the US to Europe were bumped up to five times – wants the CBP to investigate the matter. Stay tuned for updates on that.
Meanwhile, many of the airline victims say no answers are being given so far.
Apparently they don’t have an answer. People with all in order stranded for no reasons. If you need to quarantine before going to the US choose a different fair and different airlines. The cases are multiplying and they don’t have an answer.
— Denise Acocella (@AcocellaDenise) August 21, 2021