Your rights if you’re bumped from an overbooked flight - and how to avoid it

Following reports that Easyjet selected a three-year-old child to be “involuntarily offloaded” from a flight, do you know your rights regarding your seat on an overbooked plane?

Be sure not to get caught out on your next holiday with this troublesome travelling situation.

Why do planes overbook?

There’s a number of reasons that planes oversell seats on a flight - it’s a completely legal practice undertaken by many airlines.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) explains: “Sometimes airlines book more people onto a flight than there are seats on the plane. This is because people don’t always turn up — despite having booked a flight.”

“Airlines may also be unable to carry all passengers for other reasons, such as using a smaller aircraft than planned.”

This results in situations where too many people will try to check in for the same flight.

“As a result, some passengers may be asked or forced to give up their place on the flight,” the CAA states.

How to avoid being offloaded

If you want to minimise your chances of being bumped off a flight, there are some precautions you can take.

Firstly, try to avoid booking tickets on what will be a popular flight.

For example, school holidays, Fridays, Sunday afternoon/evenings and Monday mornings are times that are likely to be popular amongst travellers and therefore more likely to be overbooked.

Once you’ve booked your tickets, check in as early as possible. Some airlines will choose the last people to check in online for their flight to be offloaded from an overbooked flight.

Am I entitled to anything if I am offloaded?

Airlines want this process to be as smooth as possible, so will firstly look for volunteers who are flexible with their travel plans to free up their seat.

If you volunteer to be bumped, it’s between you and the airline to come to an agreement regarding compensation.

Usually during the announcement asking for volunteers, the airline will mention what compensation could be on offer, like money or vouchers.

The CAA says: “If you volunteer to be bumped, you are also entitled to an alternative flight or a refund.”

Things are slightly different if it wasn’t your choice.

Involuntary offloading

“If you are bumped without your agreement, you are entitled to compensation, as long as you checked-in for your flight on time,” the CAA explains.