
Overbooking is legal — airlines sell more seats than exist, counting on no-shows. Involuntary bumping triggers mandatory compensation — no delay threshold needed.
Under US DOT rules, airlines must pay immediately at the airport in cash or check. Not a voucher. Under EC261: €250-€600 based on route distance.
Airlines must first ask for volunteers. Only if there are not enough volunteers can they deny boarding involuntarily.
Get written confirmation that your denied boarding was involuntary before leaving the airport. This is essential for your claim.
Gyro writers are subject matter experts in passenger rights who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including EU regulations, government publications, court rulings, and airline policies. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance.
If involuntary: immediate compensation (€250-€600 EU, up to $1,550 US) plus rebooking on next available flight or full refund. If voluntary: whatever you negotiated.
EU: €250-€600 by distance. US: 200% fare (max $775) for 1-2 hour rebooking, 400% fare (max $1,550) for 2+ hours.
Does the airline have to pay me at the airport?
You negotiate freely with the airline. Whatever you agreed to is your compensation. No further statutory claims apply.
If you volunteered, the offer you accepted is your compensation. If you were involuntarily bumped, statutory compensation applies regardless of any offer.
Overbooking is legal. Involuntary denied boarding is not illegal either — but it triggers mandatory compensation. Airlines must pay, not just apologize.