✈️ Overbooking: why it happens, what are your rights, and how to avoid it?

1. What is overbooking?

Overbooking is a common practice in the airline industry. Airlines sell more tickets than there are seats on the plane. Why? Because they anticipate that a certain percentage of passengers won’t show up at boarding time (the so-called “no-shows”).

But when everyone shows up, there aren’t enough seats. As a result, some passengers are denied boarding… even with a valid ticket.

2. Is it legal? What are your rights?

Yes, this practice is legal in Europe but regulated by Regulation EC 261/2004. If you're a victim of overbooking, the airline must offer you:

• Financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on flight distance.
• A full refund of your ticket or an alternative route to your destination.
• Immediate care (meals, hotel accommodation, transfers, etc.).

Good to know: if you volunteer to give up your seat, the airline may offer additional compensation (vouchers, upgrades, etc.).

3. Why is overbooking costly for airlines?

When miscalculated, airlines must:

• Pay high compensation to each denied passenger.
• Manage the logistics of re-routing.
• Face damage to their brand image.

Overbooking can cost an airline several million euros per year, according to estimates.

4. How can passengers avoid overbooking?

• Arrive early for check-in: first come, first served.
• Choose your seat in advance if possible.
• Avoid promotional or last-minute tickets: these are often the first affected in overbooking situations.
• Prefer airlines with flexible or transparent policies.

5. What if overbooking became an opportunity for airlines?

This is where ResellMyFlight.com comes in.

Most non-refundable and non-changeable tickets go unused, leaving empty seats on planes. Paradoxically, other passengers are denied boarding due to overbooking on the same flight.

➡️ The solution? Smart resale of unused tickets.

ResellMyFlight.com makes it possible to:

• Let a passenger resell their non-refundable ticket if the flight is full.
• Allow the airline to repurchase the ticket only if it can resell it to a new customer.
• Reduce overbooking costs by using these tickets to avoid denied boarding.

6. Win-win for everyone

• ✅ The passenger who can’t travel recovers part of the ticket price.
• ✅ The waitlisted passenger can buy a seat on a full flight.
• ✅ The airline reduces compensation costs and increases revenue.