The tricks to know if your flight has been overbooked

Aug 15 2024 Travel trends

With the advent of the high season, the apprehension of being stranded on the ground grows palpably. The specter of overbooking looms large, a phenomenon airlines employ to ensure optimal occupancy on their flights. While this practice is a strategic maneuver to mitigate the impact of no-shows and cancellations, it often leaves passengers grappling with uncertainty. Understanding the signs of potential overbooking can empower travelers to navigate this scenario effectively, weighing their options between compensation and alternative arrangements.

Identifying signs of potential overbooking

One of the foremost concerns for air travelers is the prospect of being denied boarding due to overbooking. Airlines routinely oversell flights, operating with a calculated margin to accommodate unforeseen discrepancies in passenger turnout. While overbooking is a common industry practice, passengers must be cognizant of their rights and avenues for recourse in such situations. Despite its prevalence, overbooking-related complaints represent a relatively small fraction of grievances handled by flight claims agencies, primarily due to airlines' expedient resolution tactics.

Navigating overbooking complexities

According to Noemí Fernández, manager of Reclamio, a prominent flight claims platform, airlines habitually opt for swift resolutions through compensation vouchers, often to the detriment of passengers' entitlements. She asserts, "People often overlook their right to file a claim and settle for nominal vouchers, foregoing potential compensations ranging from 250 to 600 euros." In 2023, merely 4.14% of complaints processed by Reclamio pertained to overbooking, underscoring airlines' preference for expedient settlements over protracted disputes.

While predicting overbooking remains elusive, discernible patterns and indicators can serve as red flags for travelers. Fernández elucidates, "Receiving an email from the airline offering a flight change coupled with a bonus or encountering restrictions on online check-in are indicative of potential overbooking." Airlines may compel passengers to undergo manual check-in procedures, necessitating early arrival at the airport to secure seat assignments or alternative arrangements due to overbooking.

Overbooking tactics of Spanish carriers

In Spain, national carriers, particularly low-cost operators like Vueling, Volotea, Iberia, and Ryanair, feature prominently in overbooking incidents. Fernández notes, "Vueling and Ryanair, in particular, have curtailed online check-in deadlines to streamline passenger selection, effectively excluding individuals susceptible to being bumped from oversubscribed flights."

Certain factors elevate the likelihood of overbooking occurrences, notably flights to popular destinations during peak seasons, routes with frequent schedules, and low-cost carrier flights. Additionally, flights operating on weekdays, especially those catering to business hubs like Brussels, London, Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona, are susceptible to overbooking. Travel dates coincide with heightened risks, with weekends, holidays, and peak seasons exacerbating the propensity for oversubscription.

In conclusion, while overbooking remains an omnipresent concern for air travelers, proactive measures and informed decision-making can mitigate its impact, enabling passengers to traverse the skies with greater confidence and resilience.