Final answer:
The protection for an oversold flight can be found in the Department of Transportation's regulations on airline passenger rights. Passengers who are involuntarily bumped from a flight due to overbooking are entitled to compensation. The amount of compensation depends on the length of the delay and the price of the ticket.
Step-by-step explanation:
The protection for an oversold flight can be found in the Department of Transportation's regulations on airline passenger rights. Specifically, the "Denied Boarding Compensation" rule states that passengers who are involuntarily bumped from a flight due to overbooking are entitled to compensation. The amount of compensation depends on the length of the delay and the price of the ticket.
For example, in the United States, if you are bumped from a flight that is oversold and your new flight arrives within one to two hours of your original arrival time, the airline is required to pay you 200% of the one-way fare (up to $675). If the delay is more than two hours, the compensation increases to 400% of the one-way fare (up to $1350).
It is important to note that not all oversold flights result in passengers being bumped. Airlines often offer incentives for volunteers to give up their seats, such as vouchers for future flights or monetary compensation. However, if there are not enough volunteers, involuntary bumping may occur and the passenger is entitled to the protections outlined by the Department of Transportation.