LAW - What to do when there is no room on the plane?
Overbooking - What to do when you run out of space on the plane
Canceled flight ?
delayed flight here ? here
Compensation for non-boarding: here
Many airlines sell more tickets than there are seats for passengers on the plane. A passenger who is injured as a result of this may obtain compensation from 250 to 600 euros. However, it can also negotiate additional bonuses, even increasing the attractiveness of the planned trip.
The purchased airline ticket does not guarantee that we will be taken on board for sure. It is common practice for airlines to sell more tickets than seats on the plane. So it may turn out that upon arrival at the airport, we will be checked in, but with a receipt.
Overbooking is a common practice of airlines. Some passengers resign from travel for various reasons, and overbooking allows carriers to protect themselves against loss of profits due to an empty flight. The issue of overbooking is not legally regulated, so airlines do not even have to inform their passengers about such a risk.
In the case of overbooking, it may turn out that at the check-in you will hear "We are sorry, we have a full set of passengers". That is why it is not worth waiting until the last minute with check-in and it is best to do it in advance via the Internet. In the event of overbooking, airlines are first required to find people who voluntarily cancel the flight in exchange for a ticket for another flight and compensation, usually in the form of a voucher or financial. If there are no volunteers, the carrier will have to deny boarding to some passengers and provide them with an alternative flight.
If the airline has denied boarding, the passenger has the right to care, reimbursement of the ticket price or other connection, and may also seek compensation.
Air passenger rights are governed by EC Regulation 261 and apply to carriers registered in the European Union. On this basis, airlines have certain obligations towards passengers in the event of overbooking.
The carrier should provide each passenger with written information regarding their rights. The passenger should be aware that he can expect appropriate care and compensation from the carrier. Passengers who have been denied boarding also have the right to care - the carrier is obliged to provide passengers with free meals and drinks in an amount adequate to the waiting time for the next flight.
In addition, passengers are guaranteed to make two telephone calls, teletype, fax or e-mail.
Hotel accommodation, including transport, should be provided if the waiting time exceeds one day.
Passengers can also claim compensation from airlines in connection with their refusal to let them on board, says Justyna Niebutkowska from Europ Assistance Polska in an interview with MarketNews24. Its amount depends on the flight route:
* EUR 250 for flights up to 1500 km;
* EUR 400 for flights within the EU of more than 1,500 km and between 1,500 and 3,500 km for flights outside the EU;
* EUR 600 for other flights.
Passengers can also claim compensation from airlines in connection with their refusal to let them on board, says Justyna Niebutkowska from Europ Assistance Polska in an interview with MarketNews24. Its amount depends on the flight route:
* EUR 250 for flights up to 1500 km;
* EUR 400 for flights within the EU of more than 1,500 km and between 1,500 and 3,500 km for flights outside the EU;
* EUR 600 for other flights.
