He ended up being the lone passenger on the Boeing 747. Her carrier's rule is simple. It operates the flights whether they're overbooked or underbooked. I like that policy. Dealing With Delays Know your rights.
Mechanical trouble is the carrier's responsibility.
The airline still has to get you to your destination and usually must cover meals and lodging if you're stuck somewhere longer than you planned. Get a copy of the rules and don't be afraid to use them. Avoid cancellation-prone times. Weekends are prime cancellation time. Bigger is better.