Airlines have the power to forcibly remove any flier it pleases — but that doesn’t make it right.

While Monday’s incident has caused a major public-relations disaster, it could be considered perfectly legal under United and US Department of Transportation guidelines.

Airline staffers can boot anyone they want when they need to make room for crew members or a flight is overbooked, a spokesperson said.

They are first required to ask for volunteers, but if there are none, airlines like United will then use their computer system to choose passengers.

The airline is not allowed to boot individuals with disabilities or unaccompanied minors.

The DOT requires all airlines to give passengers who are “bumped” involuntarily a written statement describing their rights, as well as boarding compensation in the form of a check or cash.

Travelers who arrive at their final destination between one and four hours late are rewarded an amount equal to 200 percent of their one-way fare, or a maximum of $675.

Those who are more than four hours late are given an amount worth 400 percent of their one-way fare, or a maximum of $1,350.

But carriers may pay more than that to get a passenger to voluntarily give up a seat — using a voucher for future travel, cash or a combination.

Not everyone gets paid, though.

Bumped passengers who are rebooked on a flight arriving within an hour of their original schedule are not eligible for any compensation.