The Frustrating Reason Why Airlines Can And Sometimes Will Overbook Flights

So much effort, time, and money goes into planning a trip. Choosing the destination, trying to find the cheapest or most relaxing flight, and booking your stay accordingly needs a whole lot of planning. So imagine how it feels when you get to the airport finally ready to embark on your adventure, only to be denied boarding because your flight — that you already paid for — was overbooked by the airline. 

As frustrating as it sounds, almost every airline overbooks passengers. This is because the airline has reason to believe that a certain number of passengers will cancel at the last minute, or just not show up. So instead of flying out with empty seats — even though they've been paid for — the airline tries to maximize its profits by overbooking passengers, having two people pay for the same seat.

Airlines use a predictive algorithm that analyzes historical data to estimate the number of no-shows or last minute cancellations on certain flights. Then it overbooks those seats to make sure the flight flies at full capacity, even if some passengers don't show up. No-shows could be caused by a number of factors, from connecting flight delays to emergencies or flexible ticket policies that result in passengers changing their schedules at the last minute. Airlines can also sell last-minute tickets to passengers who would like to get on the flight at a discounted rate, saving passengers money while ensuring additional income for the airline. But how can airlines do this, and what happens if you get bumped?

The airline industry is quite expensive to run, and the COVID-19 pandemic left many airlines with substantial losses, so airlines try their best to maximize profits by flying at full capacity, factoring in the possibility of no-shows. While this might sound frustrating, and even a bit sketchy, it is entirely legal and airlines are allowed to do it. It is even in the contract that passengers agree to when booking — if you bother to read the fine print. Passengers tend to overlook the "contract of carriage," which includes the possibility of denied boarding by the airline under certain conditions — but that doesn't mean you're not entitled to compensation. 

For passengers who voluntarily agree to catch a later flight, they are typically offered a free ticket or voucher for a future trip, but can negotiate their compensation and terms with the airline. While each airline and country have different rules, in most cases, passengers who have been involuntarily bumped from a flight will be eligible for financial compensation, which could include free hotel or meals, as well as getting booked on the next flight out. Be sure you know your rights before you sign for anything less than you deserve.

This rarely happens to people traveling first-class, as the airline makes the most profit from first-class seats and would not put that at risk. Keep in mind that it is mandatory for airlines to find voluntary passengers willing to give up their seats first, before opting to involuntary denied boarding.

Just because most airlines tend to overbook their flights, it doesn't mean that there aren't ways to get around it and make sure your travel plans stay intact. If you really don't want to get bumped, you can reduce the risk by choosing alternative travel routes that might not be as popular. Because many people hope to fly during the day to prevent their sleep schedule from being disrupted, if you choose off-peak travel hours, late at night or early in the morning, the chances of being overbooked — or even flying at full capacity — is heavily reduced.

Other tips include following the logic of "first come, first served," by checking in early and being one of the first people to arrive at the airport – unless you don't mind getting bumped. For online check-ins, be sure to check in as soon as it is available instead of leaving it to the last minute. Otherwise, arrive at the airport at least 3 hours in advance to ensure you have a guaranteed spot on your flight.

Airlines also take into consideration frequent fliers, or those with connecting flights who will be most affected by being bumped. Denied boarding can be super stressful, disrupt travel plans, and make passengers miss their connecting flights, so be sure to follow these tips and ensure you get yourself a seat on that plane even if it is a bit more exhausting to arrive early.