Compensation for overbooked flights
Passenger rights also apply if your flight is overbooked and you are consequently denied to board. As of July 15, 2019 you are entitled to compensation of up to $2,400 per passenger if you are bumped from a flight. Your rights may also include a refund of the ticket, accommodation, food and drinks and access to means of communication while waiting for a new departure.
Your rights if you are flying with a large airline
A large airline has to ensure that all passengers complete their original travel plan as soon as possible by means of:
- The next available flight to the original destination airport operated by the carrier or a partnering carrier travelling on any reasonable air route. Departure must take place no later than 9 hours after the original departure time
- If option 1 is not feasible, the next available flight to the original destination airport operated by any carrier travelling on any reasonable air route. Departure must take place no later than 48 hours after the original departure time.
- If option 1 and 2 are not feasible, the next available flight to the original destination airport operated by any carrier from another airport within reasonable distance of the passenger’s current location.
Your rights if you are flying with a small airline
A small airline has to ensure that all passengers complete their original travel plan as soon as possible by means of:
- The next available flight to the original destination airport operated by the carrier or a partnering carrier travelling on any reasonable air route
If an airline has overbooked a flight they are not allowed to deny boarding to a passenger unless they have asked all passengers if anyone is willing to voluntarily give up his/her seat. Furthermore, a passenger who has already boarded the flight can only be denied boarding due to safety reasons.
When selecting passengers to bump, the airline must give priority for boarding, in below order, to:
- Unaccompanied minors
- Persons with disabilities (including support persons or service animals)
- Passengers travelling with family members
- Passengers who have previously been denied boarding on the same ticket
PLEASE NOTE: If you are travelling to or from the European Union or travelling with an airline based in the EU, other rules may apply. Read more here.
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