How to act if there is overbooking on my flight

Most of us have heard about overbooking or overbooked flights, but not everyone is clear about exactly what it means or whether it is legal to occur. It is a situation that occurs when an airline sells more seats than the plane has and, therefore, can not board all passengers . The airlines carry it out because many people who have a reservation made do not go to the boarding gate and, in this way, they try to guarantee that the flights are filled to the maximum and the company does not lose money. Also, it is not an illegal activity, but it is included in the law. But, in the same way, passengers who are affected by overbooking have rights that they can exercise to be compensated. In this .com article we explain how to act if there is overbooking on your flight .

What is overbooking?

According to the State Agency for Air Safety of the Government of Spain, overbooking or overselling is "a situation allowed by law that occurs when the number of passengers is greater than the number of seats on the plane ." This may be due to various causes, such as the delay of a connecting flight, the cancellation of a previous flight, the oversold of seats in anticipation of passengers who do not show up or cancel their reservations, etc. "

What happens if there is overbooking?

In cases where overbooking occurs and there are not enough seats for all passengers, the airline is forced to deny boarding to a certain number of people. First, you must look for passengers who voluntarily and through an agreement resign their place. If there are no volunteers or they are insufficient, the air carrier may refuse boarding against the will of the passengers, offering the corresponding compensation.

Will they compensate me financially?

Those passengers who voluntarily renounce their place will not be entitled to claim supplementary compensation, but the airline must offer certain benefits in return under the agreed conditions. Those who have not been able to embark involuntarily, may exercise their right to compensation :

The company must pay compensation in cash, check or transfer. You can accept company bonds instead of money, but you do not have to.
The compensation will vary depending on the intra - community or non-intra - community nature of the flight and the distance in kilometers:

- Up to 1500 km: € 250

- From 1500 to 3500 km: € 400

- More than 3500 km: € 400 for intra-community and € 600, not intra-community.

What other rights do I have?

Whether you have renounced or not, all passengers will have:

Right to Information :

The airline will have to provide you with a form indicating the rules regarding compensation and assistance. In case they do not provide it, ask for it.

Right to Refund / Alternative Transportation :

They can reimburse you for the full cost of the ticket at the price at which it was purchased; driving you to final destination in comparable transport conditions as quickly as possible; or take you to the final destination, under comparable transport conditions, at a later date that suits you, depending on the available seats.

Right to Attention :

The airline is obliged to offer you free enough food and drinks, depending on the time you should wait. You will also have to offer two phone calls, fax messages or emails. In case the new flight is scheduled for the next day, they should also offer you free accommodation in a hotel and transportation between the airport and the place of accommodation.

Can I make a claim?

Yes, if you suffer overbooking and do not agree with what the company offers you, as well as for cancellation or delay of flights or class changes, you can claim the company if you do not comply with Regulation (EC) 261 / 2004 You can do it through claim sheets that, among others, you can find at the information counters of the airline or ticket sales. See how you can make a claim as a consumer.

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