Woman takes $1,200 compensation on overbooked plane - but is forced to do 'walk of shame'

A passenger thought she had taken up the deal of a lifetime until the offer was abruptly rescinded and she was left to take a humiliating 'walk of shame'.

News Anchor Frances Wang Frances with NBC 10 Philadelphia posted a TikTok video documenting the 'embarrassing' incident when airline staff asked passengers to volunteer to move onto a later flight for a nice payday.  

The clip begins with her sitting in her seat, covering her mouth and laughing at herself. 

'Guys I just had the most embarrassing experience on American Air in front of the whole plane I am in tears,' she wrote in a text overlay on the clip.

Wang was thrilled when the intercom announced a $1,200 voucher for anyone willing to take a different flight. She immediately jumped at the opportunity.

'Without even thinking, I'm like, 'I'll take it!'' Wang said. 'I'm so excited that, as I'm walking down the aisle everyone is, like, cheering me on. You would think I just won a million dollars on a game show.'

Elated, Frances reached the front of the plane, ready to claim her voucher and disembark. However, her joy turned to disappointment when she learned that another traveler had already taken the voucher.

Her seat neighbors even commented on her ordeal in a mini-interview she conducted with other passengers. 

One man told her: 'She was cheered along the way. 

'She made everyone's day because they were vicariously living through her joy and excitement.'

Another passenger added: 'Ya'll said "err, never mind." She had to walk back through the aisle, walk of shame. You owe her $1200 plus the refund for her ticket.'

But she didn't just walk up and down the aisle once, but multiple times after forgetting about her back pack in another row. 

'I awkwardly had to go up and down the aisle so many times,' she said.

The video has garnered over 51,000 likes and become a viral hit with viewers praising its entertainment value.

'Love the eyewitness reports,' commented a user, with another saying the video was a 'masterpiece with the stranger interviews too.'

'Your fellow passengers are such a vibe! They will remember you, bestie,' added a third. 

According to their website, American Airlines overbooks flights to avoid empty seats and potential price increases. They often ask passengers to voluntarily give up their seats for compensation, but in rare cases, they may deny boarding involuntarily.