Around 343,000 passengers, mostly volunteers in return for vouchers or other compensation, were bumped from their seats on planes in the first half of 2008, the Department of Transportation reported. That was a relatively small number out of 282 million passengers, The New York Times noted.

The Times warned the figure will likely grow this fall as strapped airlines cut the number of flights.

Tim Winship, an editor with SmarterTravel.com, said overbooking is "bad for them, it's bad for morale, and you end up with a potential riot on your hands among people who have to be compensated."

Airlines such as Delta and Continental are already implementing new check-in procedures aimed at reducing the number of bumped passengers. But bumped passengers may soon be able to demand more in return including vouchers for meals, hotels, transportation and plane tickets, The Times said.