July 1st 2024.
It's not uncommon for flights to be over-booked. But what can you do to avoid being one of the unlucky passengers left behind? If you've already booked your flight for the summer, don't assume that you are guaranteed a seat on the plane. There is a chance that you may not be able to board if your flight is over-booked. This might sound absurd, but it is a common practice for some airlines.
In fact, in early June, a Taylor Swift fan named Megan Ridout was denied boarding on her British Airways flight to Lyon. She had purchased a return ticket for only £91, but was told that she would not be able to make the flight. Instead, the airline offered her a later flight that would get her to Lyon 90 minutes after the concert she was planning to attend had already started. Talk about a disappointment!
So if this happens to you, what are your rights and how can you avoid being the unlucky passenger who gets bumped from their flight? According to Matthew Hall, managing director for the airport transfers app Hoppa, airlines over-book certain flights to ensure that the planes are filled even if some passengers don't show up. But there are some things you can do to increase your chances of keeping your seat.
Matthew advises, "If this happens on your flight, airlines usually ask for volunteers to give up their seat at the check-in desk first." According to The Independent, easyJet's average rate of passengers who don't show up for departure is around 5% per full flight, which is about nine people. So it's not uncommon for this situation to occur. But if all passengers do show up and the flight is over-booked, you have the option to volunteer to be bumped. In return, you are entitled to an alternative flight or a refund.
In most cases, airlines will offer cash or vouchers as compensation, and some may even pay for your airport hotel if there is not a flight available on the same day. But is there a way to avoid this whole situation altogether? Let's find out.
How to avoid getting bumped from your flight
If no one volunteers to give up their seat, the airline staff will have to choose who does not board the flight. Matthew explains that there are certain groups of people who are given priority when it comes to retaining their seat on the flight. These include unaccompanied children, individuals with mobility issues, first-class ticket holders, and those with holiday packages from the airline.
"It can also help to sign up for the airline's frequent flyer program, which is usually free and can earn you discounts on future flights by earning miles," adds Matthew. So not only can you avoid being bumped, but you can also save money on future flights.
But what if you're not part of any of these groups? Matthew suggests checking in as early as possible before arriving at the airport and making it to the gate early. Another tip is to pay for a specific seat rather than relying on random allocation, as this decreases your chances of being bumped.
Are you entitled to compensation if you're denied boarding?
The amount of compensation you can receive depends on the length of your flight and the timing of the alternative flight offered to you. You also have to meet certain requirements to be eligible for compensation, such as departing from a UK airport on any airline, arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline.
So, how much compensation can you receive if you are bumped from a short-haul flight? This includes flights under 1,500km, such as a trip from Glasgow to Amsterdam. If you arrive at your final destination more than two hours late due to being bumped, you can claim £220 in compensation. If you arrive less than two hours late, you are entitled to £110.
For a medium-haul flight of 1,500km to 3,500km, like a journey from East Midlands to Marrakech, you can receive £350 in compensation if you arrive more than three hours late. If you arrive less than three hours late, you can claim £175. And for a long-haul flight of more than 3,500km, such as London to New York, if you arrive more than four hours late, you can receive £520 in compensation. However, if you arrive less than four hours late, you are entitled to £260.
Do you have a story to share?
If you've experienced being bumped from a flight, we'd love to hear your story. You can get in touch by emailing us at [insert email].
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[Generative AI is experimental.]
