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Overbooked Flight? Claim upto €600 in Compensation.

Being refused a seat because of overbooking is frustrating and unfair. Under EU regulation 261/2004, passengers may be entitled to up to €600.

Table of Contents

  • Your Rights if Your Flight Was Overbooked
  • Steps to Take Immediately If Your Flight Is Overbooked
  • Overbooked Flights Explained: Why Airlines Deny Boarding?
  • QUICK SNAPSHOT
  • Overbooked Flight Compensation – FAQs

Your Rights if Your Flight Was Overbooked

When airlines sell more tickets than available seats, passengers may be denied boarding due to overbooking. This can be frustrating, but the good news is that under EU Regulation EC 261/2004, affected travelers may be entitled to €250–€600 in compensation, plus care and assistance at the airport.

If you had a valid booking, checked in on time, and were denied boarding because of overbooking, you may qualify for compensation — regardless of whether you were traveling for business or leisure.

Airlines are legally required to:
  • Provide alternative transportation or a full ticket refund.
  • Offer snacks, drinks, and hotel accommodation if the delay requires an overnight stay.
  • Inform passengers clearly about their rights under EU law.

👉 Tip: If you were denied boarding due to overbooking, you still have the right to claim cash compensation — even if the airline offered meals, vouchers, or rebooking.

Steps to Take Immediately If Your Flight Is Overbooked

  • Request written confirmation from the airline stating why you were denied boarding.
  • Collect proof — boarding passes, tickets, receipts, and any extra expenses.
  • Insist on your entitlements at the airport, such as food, drinks, and hotel accommodation if required.
  • Use our compensation calculator to quickly check if you qualify for up to €600.

Check your claim eligibility quickly

Overbooked Flights Explained: Why Airlines Deny Boarding?

Airlines sometimes sell more tickets than available seats — a practice known as overbooking. If not enough passengers volunteer to give up their seats, some travelers may be denied boarding against their will.

This can also happen if an airline switches to a smaller aircraft or adjusts flights due to low demand. In such cases, passengers may be placed on alternative flights.

Compensation applies when:

  • You checked in on time.
  • You had valid travel documents and a confirmed reservation.
  • You were denied boarding through no fault of your own (not a security or health-related issue).

QUICK SNAPSHOT

Aspect
  • Definition
  • Cause
  • Voluntary vs. Involuntary
  • Compensation Eligibility
  • Passenger Rights
  • Key Difference
Overbooking
  • When an airline sells more tickets than available seats on a flight.
  • Airline’s commercial practice to maximize revenue (anticipating no-shows)
  • Passengers may volunteer to give up seats in exchange for vouchers or benefits
  • Voluntary: usually no EU261 compensation (only airline’s offer). Involuntary: passengers entitled to €250–€600.
  • - Rebooking or refunds.
    - Airlines may offer travel vouchers.
  • Overbooking is the cause (selling too many tickets).
Denied Boarding
  • When a passenger with a valid booking is not allowed to board the plane.
  • May result from overbooking, aircraft changes, or operational issues.
  • Can be voluntary (passenger agrees) or involuntary (passenger refused boarding against their will).
  • Involuntary denied boarding is always compensable under EU261 (up to €600) plus care (meals, drinks, hotel).
  • - Rebooking or refunds.
    - Meals, drinks, hotel if needed.
    - Written explanation of refusal.
  • Denied boarding is the effect (being refused a seat on the flight).
Key Takeaway for passengers:
  • Overbooking is the airline’s action (selling extra tickets).
  • Denied boarding is the passenger’s experience (not being allowed to fly).
  • If denied boarding happens against your will, you may be entitled to up to €600 under EU261.

Overbooked Flight Compensation – FAQs

No. If you voluntarily give up your seat in exchange for vouchers, upgrades, or other benefits, you waive your right to EU261 cash compensation. Your entitlement will only be what the airline offered at the time.

If your journey was booked under one reservation, compensation applies even if the denied boarding occurred during a connecting flight. The amount is based on the total distance of your journey, not just the leg you missed.

Yes. Receiving care (meals, refreshments, or overnight stay) does not replace your right to compensation. You may still claim up to €600 in addition.

The time limit varies by country: typically 2 to 6 years. For example, Germany allows claims up to 3 years, while the UK allows up to 6 years.

No. Compensation under EU261 depends only on flight distance and delay, not on how much you paid for the ticket.

Always keep your boarding pass, booking confirmation, written airline communication, and receipts for any expenses. These strengthen your claim.

You may still be entitled to compensation if your arrival at the final destination was delayed by 3 hours or more.

If the delay was shorter, compensation may not apply, but the airline must still provide meals and refreshments.

Generally, once you accept a voucher or alternative benefit, you waive your right to EU261 compensation.

However, if the airline misled you or failed to inform you of your legal rights, you may still have a valid claim.

Yes, but only if your flight departed from an EU airport, regardless of airline.

If the flight landed in the EU, then the operating airline must be EU-based for compensation to apply.

Yes. Whether you booked directly with the airline or through a travel agency/package provider, passengers are covered under EU261 as long as the flight is eligible.

Upgrade: You cannot be charged extra.

Downgrade: The airline must refund you 25%–75% of your ticket price depending on distance, in addition to care rights.

Yes. Children and infants with a paid ticket are entitled to compensation just like adults.

Free “no-seat” infant tickets may not qualify.

No. EU261 compensation is a statutory right and is not considered taxable income.

It is separate from travel insurance and does not affect your coverage.

If rejected, you can escalate it to the National Enforcement Body (NEB) in the relevant EU country, or use a claims agency/legal service to pursue it.

Yes. Each passenger with a valid ticket and reservation may claim compensation individually — even if booked together.