You turn up at the airport and arrive at your boarding gate, only to be told it’s an overbooked flight. What now? This article breaks down what overbooking is and what you can do if you find yourself turned away from a flight.
Coming up in this article
- What is overbooking?
- Why does overbooking happen?
- Which airlines allow overbooking?
- What happens when too many passengers turn up to an overbooked flight?
- What are my rights if I’m bumped from an overbooked flight?
- What is the step-by-step process I should follow if the flight is overbooked?
- Does playing Check-in Chicken increase your chances of being overbooked?
- How can I avoid being bumped from an overbooked plane in the future?
What is Overbooking?
Overbooking is really just how it sounds – it’s when airlines sell more tickets than there are seats on the plane. It’s actually a common and legal practice done by most airlines, and most of the time passengers won’t even realise.
Why does overbooking happen?
Airlines have figured out that some passengers won’t make it to their flights (reportedly 5 per cent) because of unexpected or last-minute issues like getting sick or accidentally arriving too late for boarding.
The airlines have also realised they can take advantage of this, and sell more tickets than there are seats, by betting on these no-shows. By selling the same seat to multiple people, especially those booking at the last minute who are willing to pay more, airlines can boost their profits big time.
And before you scoff at the budget airlines – this practice isn’t exclusive to them. British Airways has a paragraph in the legal section of their website explaining how they do this.
The reason seems to be that the money the airline makes through overbooking actually helps keep ticket prices lower for everyone. And it means more travellers can book onto flights that would be sold out otherwise.
Which airlines allow overbooking?
Overbooking is a normal and common practice for many airlines across the world. Some airlines that have confirmed they do this include:
- easyJet
- Wizz Air
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- TUI
- Norse Atlantic UK
Does Ryanair overbook their flights?
In Ryanair’s policy it says that they don’t overbook flights. However, there may be other reasons why you have to go through a similar process. These include things like a last minute swap onto a smaller aircraft, or a crew shortage.
What happens when too many passengers turn up for an overbooked flight?
When a flight is overbooked and there are too many passengers and not enough seats, the airline will need to find a way to cut down the amount of passengers booked onto a flight.
Airlines should first look for volunteers to take a later flight (although many don’t).
Airlines often offer incentives to encourage volunteers to come off overbooked flights, such as vouchers and upgrades on their rebooked flight. Since some travellers will be less bothered about their arrival time than others, this can be a good way for passengers who aren’t time-limited to get some extra perks.
However, if no one steps up or there are not enough volunteers, the airline will remove some passengers based on their own rules. This is called being denied boarding or ‘bumped’.
You may be more likely to be bumped if you’re travelling solo, without luggage, paid the lowest fare, or were the last to check-in.
What are my rights if I’m denied boarding an overbooked flight?
Under UK law if an airline bumps you from a flight because it’s overbooked, it’s still their responsibility to get you to your destination, and they’re legally required to offer you help.
Plus, you may be due compensation if you are involuntarily denied boarding.
This applies to flights departing from a UK airport, arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline.
Volunteering to be bumped
If the airline asks who wants to be removed from the flight and you volunteer, the airline must offer you an alternative flight or a refund.
Legally you should also be offered perks like food and drinks, vouchers and accommodation (if necessary) if you take an alternative flight.
If you volunteer to switch flights, you’re not legally entitled to compensation in the same way you are when it wasn’t your choice. So you should reach an agreement on compensation with the airline in the moment, at the airport – which can be whatever you feel is appropriate.
Some people get their hands on meal vouchers, others get upgrades or even money. Don’t shy away from negotiating what’s on offer – you’re doing them a favour!
Being bumped when it is not your choice
If you get bumped from your flight without agreeing to it, you’re entitled to an alternative flight or a refund AND compensation.
The airline must ensure you make it to your destination. To be eligible for the compensation, you need to have checked in on time. The amount of compensation you get depends on how long your flight was and when they book you onto another flight.
For more information, check out our article about eligibility and how much compensation you could be owed.
Your onward travel options
Whether you choose not to take the flight or it happens to you involuntarily, you have the right to the below…
1. Choosing an alternative flight
The airline has to offer you an alternative flight. It’s your choice whether you want to fly ASAP or on a later date that works better for you. This is called being ‘rerouted’.
This flight might be with another airline. In some circumstances, you might be booked onto another mode of transport instead, such as a train or a ferry.
The airline has to take care of you while you wait. This means providing
- Food and drinks, often as vouchers
- A way to communicate, like reimbursing your calls
- Accommodation if your new flight is the next day, usually at a nearby hotel
- Transport to and from the accommodation, or to your home if you can stay there
2. Choosing a refund
If you’d rather not fly, you can choose not to, and get your money back for any unused parts of your ticket.
For example, if you get bumped on the outbound leg of a return trip, the airline will refund you for the entire trip. If you’re part-way through your journey, the airline should arrange you a flight back to where you started.
What is the step-by-step process I should follow if the flight is overbooked?
Step 1
Firstly, if the airline hasn’t asked for volunteers, insist that they do so.
Step 2
If you are still denied boarding, confirm what transport you will be taking in exchange – remember it does not need to be with the same airline, on the same route or even on a plane – if a train could get you to your destination quicker, that’s an option too.
Step 3
Ask the airline what compensation they are offering.
If you volunteer not to board, it’s up to you to agree your compensation with the airline in the moment, and negotiate for what you want there and then.
If you get bumped without any choice in the matter, then you’re legally entitled to a certain amount of compensation. This is related to the number of hours by which your journey is delayed.
Step 4
Ask what care and assistance the airline are providing – this usually includes food, transfers and hotel stays where necessary.
Does playing Check-in Chicken increase your chances of being overbooked?
Check-in Chicken is when you hold off checking in until you see decent seats available.
If you do this, then there’s a small risk that if you leave it till the last minute to check in, you could find there are no seats left.
My tip is to keep checking the available seats throughout the day – and not to leave it until the last moment. That way, you can check in when you’re happy with what seats are there.
How can I avoid being bumped from an overbooked plane in the future?
To avoid getting bumped from an overbooked flight, book well in advance and check in promptly. While these steps aren’t foolproof, they do make it less likely that you’ll be the one chosen to give up your spot.
Airline staff may also be less likely to remove passengers with checked luggage since they’d have to deal with the hassle of removing the luggage from the plane.
Remember What You’re Entitled to if You’re on an Overbooked Flight
Before you leave for the airport for your next trip, make sure you know what to expect if you end up on an overbooked flight. You can’t completely avoid this situation, but knowing your rights will make it easier to handle the inconvenience if you do get bumped.
Remember your airline must get you to your destination, even with an alternative carrier or method of transport, and you’re entitled to compensation.
