What Is Overbooking, and What Are My Rights?
Overbooking is when an airline sells more tickets for a flight than it has seats, anticipating that some passengers won't show up. When more passengers check in than there's room for, the airline has to "bump" someone, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
Why airlines overbook
A predictable percentage of passengers don't show up for a given flight. Overbooking is a yield-management practice used to avoid flying with empty seats that were paid for and then abandoned.
Voluntary vs involuntary bumping
- Voluntary: the airline asks for volunteers to take a later flight, usually offering compensation such as cash, vouchers, or an upgrade in exchange - airlines generally prefer this route since it avoids formal complaints
- Involuntary: if not enough volunteers come forward, the airline selects passengers to deny boarding, typically based on check-in time, fare class, or frequent flyer status
What compensation you're entitled to
Rules differ by region and route. Within the EU and UK, denied boarding on an eligible flight entitles you to fixed compensation set by regulation, based on flight distance, plus care such as meals or accommodation if needed. In the US, federal rules require airlines to pay cash compensation for involuntary bumping, scaled to how late the replacement flight gets you to your destination, with no compensation owed if you're rerouted within a short window. Always check the rules of the country you're departing from, since that's usually what applies, not your nationality.
What to do if you're bumped
Ask for the compensation and rebooking details in writing before leaving the airport. If you're asked to volunteer, it's worth declining a first offer that seems low, since compensation is often negotiable when the airline is actively seeking volunteers.