How the United Airlines PR disaster unfolded - step by step

A man who refused to give up his seat on an overbooked United Airlines flight 3411 was forcibly dragged from the plane by aviation police.

The incident rapidly became a topic of discussion online, as videos circulated of the man apparently bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Many expressed outrage at the situation's handling and have expressed their intentions to boycott United Airlines.

United Airlines have issued several statements about what they termed the "re-accomodation" of the customer.

Many have expressed dissatisfaction with the airline's statements:

Here's how the situation unfolded over the course of the day:

More: A passenger was forcibly dragged off a plane because United Airlines overbooked his flight