But in many cases, flight data shows that the gap is far less than customers seem to think.

FORBES: The Root Cause Of Your Customer's Anger

The plan submitted to the Air Transportation Stabilisation Board still contained the right, among other things, for pilots and flight attendants in most cases to have their pay restored to today's levels by 2008.

ECONOMIST: Going, going…. | The

No-one knows how many people die of deep vein thrombosis a year but some scientists argue up to 10% of cases could be flight-related.

BBC: You are in: Health

Mr Roberts said his team and the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team would find themselves being called out more often in cases where a flight from Humberside would take too long.

BBC: Boulmer search and rescue: Mountain rescue 'busier'

Airsafe.com, a not-for-profit venture that compiles airline-safety statistics, notes only four cases in which a flight crew intentionally landed a commercial jet into a body of water.

WSJ: Weather Scrutinized as Possible Cause of Lion Air Crash

In such cases, the airline is entitled to 'bump' passengers onto a later flight.

BBC: Q&A: Air passengers' rights

In many cases airlines will try to find a passenger who is willing to take a later flight, often sweetening the pill with a free upgrade.

BBC: Q&A: Air passengers' rights

One of the cases is that of Emily Ruiz, who at four years old was sent to Guatemala after her flight to Kennedy Airport was diverted to Dulles.

WSJ: Immigrant groups sue federal border agencies