Overbooked Flight Compensation: Up to €600 Under EU261
Airlines overbook flights legally and deliberately — but when there are more passengers than seats, EU law guarantees that anyone bumped receives fixed compensation of €250 to €600, a choice of refund or rerouting, and immediate care at the gate.
➜ Check My Overbooking Claim — Free
See compensation amounts ↓
Why Do Airlines Overbook Flights?
Overbooking is a standard, legal commercial practice. Airlines analyse historical no-show rates on every route and sell more tickets than seats — typically 5–15% over capacity — calculating that a predictable number of passengers will cancel or miss the flight. When it fails and everyone shows up, some passengers must be removed.
Important: EU261 does not prohibit overbooking. It regulates the consequences. The moment you are denied boarding against your will on a qualifying flight, three rights activate simultaneously: fixed compensation, refund or rerouting, and care and assistance.
Your Rights When Bumped
Fixed compensation
Up to €600 per passenger based on flight distance. Paid in cash — not vouchers unless you agree.
Refund or rerouting
Your choice: full ticket refund, or rebooking on the next available flight at no extra cost.
Meals and drinks
Free food and drinks proportionate to your wait time, from the moment of denial.
Hotel if overnight
If the alternative flight is the following day, the airline must provide hotel and transport.
Vouchers are not the same as compensation. Airlines often offer travel vouchers at the gate. You are entitled to receive your EU261 compensation in money. You may accept a voucher but are not obligated to.
How Much Can You Claim?
| Flight distance | Full compensation | Reduced (if re-routed in time) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 | €125 — if arrives within 2 hrs |
| 1,500 km – 3,500 km | €400 | €200 — if arrives within 3 hrs |
| Over 3,500 km (intra-EU) | €400 | €200 — if arrives within 3 hrs |
| Over 3,500 km (non-EU leg) | €600 | €300 — if arrives within 4 hrs |
* Per passenger. A family of four bumped from a Tirana–London–New York journey could be entitled to €2,400 in total.
Were you bumped from an overbooked flight?
Check eligibility in 2 minutes. Our partner handles the claim on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Should You Volunteer Your Seat?
Airlines must ask for volunteers before involuntarily bumping anyone. If you volunteer, you negotiate privately — EU261 fixed compensation does not apply. Before accepting any offer, calculate your statutory EU261 entitlement. You can also negotiate for cash instead of vouchers.
Negotiating tip: Tell the gate agent you are willing to consider volunteering — but only for cash compensation at or above your EU261 statutory amount. Airlines often agree — it is cheaper than legal disputes.
How to Claim Step by Step
Request written confirmation of denied boarding
Ask the gate agent for a written statement confirming you were denied boarding due to overbooking, and your new travel arrangements. Keep your original boarding pass and booking confirmation.
Choose refund or rerouting immediately
If you no longer wish to travel, take the full refund. If you want to continue, insist on the earliest available flight — not just the airline’s next scheduled service.
Keep all receipts while waiting
The airline owes you meals and drinks from the moment of denial. If held overnight, insist on hotel accommodation or keep receipts if you arrange it yourself.
Submit your compensation claim in writing
Write to the airline referencing EU Regulation 261/2004, your flight details, and the specific compensation amount. Send by email and keep a copy.
Escalate or use a compensation service if needed
If the airline rejects or ignores your claim within 6–8 weeks, escalate to the national enforcement body or use a no-win, no-fee service. Overbooking claims have among the highest success rates of any EU261 case.
Overbooking on Western Balkans Routes
Overbooking is widespread on popular low-cost routes connecting the Western Balkans with European hubs. Routes from Tirana, Pristina and Sarajevo to London, Rome, Milan, Vienna and Zurich see high load factors and frequent overbooking incidents during summer and around national holidays.
Passengers bumped from these airports are fully protected under the ECAA framework:
Belgrade Nikola Tesla (BEG)
Pristina Airport (PRN)
Sarajevo Airport (SJJ)
Skopje Airport (SKP)
Podgorica Airport (TGD)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is overbooking legal?
Yes. Overbooking is a legal and standard airline practice. EU261 does not prohibit it — it regulates what must happen when passengers are bumped against their will.
What is the difference between overbooking and denied boarding?
Overbooking is the airline practice of selling more tickets than seats. Denied boarding is what happens to you as a result. EU261 compensation is triggered by the denied boarding, not the overbooking itself.
How much can I claim for an overbooked flight?
€250 for flights under 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. The airline can reduce this by 50% if they reroute you within the specified time window.
What should I do if offered a voucher at the gate?
A voucher is a private commercial offer, not your statutory compensation. You are entitled to cash. Calculate your EU261 entitlement first — you may be able to negotiate for more.
Can I be bumped from a flight in Serbia or Albania?
Yes, and you are protected. Passengers bumped from flights departing any ECAA Western Balkans airport are covered by the same compensation rules as EU flights.