🎫 Overbooking · EU Law · up to €600
Denied boarding? Secure up to €600 in compensation – free of charge.
Were you denied boarding because the airline sold more tickets than available seats? This is overbooking – and under EU Regulation EC 261/2004, you are entitled to immediate compensation, assistance, and an alternative connection. Passengers friend checks your case and enforces your rights.
No upfront payments and 100% risk-free.
⚖️Experts in EU passenger rights law
💶 Up to €600 in flight compensation
➕ Additional cost reimbursement included
✅ No Win - No Fee
⭐ 4,4 on Google
OVERVIEW
Overbooking & Compensation – The Most Important Facts at a Glance
Were you denied boarding because the flight was overbooked? Then these rights apply to you – immediately and without exception under EU Regulation EC 261/2004.
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Immediate claim – no proof required – in the event of overbooking, the compensation claim arises automatically. It does not depend on fault or extraordinary circumstances. The airline is always liable.
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Up to 600 € compensation per person – tiered by flight distance: 250 € (up to 1,500 km), 400 € (1,500 – 3,500 km), up to 600 € (over 3,500 km).
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Choice: Rebooking or full ticket refund – You decide whether to be rebooked onto the next available flight or receive a full refund of your ticket price – plus a return flight to the departure airport, if necessary.
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Care services at the airport – meals and refreshments after 2 hours of waiting time, and if an overnight stay is necessary, a hotel and transfer at the airline's expense.
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Consequential cost reimbursement included – Passengers Friend enforces consequential costs incurred due to the overbooking (missed hotel, rental car, connecting flight) in addition to your compensation.
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Caution with voluntary waiver – Airlines often ask if someone wants to voluntarily give up their seat (in exchange for a voucher or payment). What you accept can affect your compensation claim. Get advice from Passengers Friend before making any commitments.
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Statute of limitations: 3 years – calculated from the end of the calendar year of the flight date. Passengers Friend checks for free – No Win, No Fee. Only 25% commission upon success.
EASY PATH TO COMPENSATION
No stress. No effort. No risk.
Passengers friend handles the entire process – from the initial assessment to the payment into your account. You do not have to take care of anything.
No Win – No Fee
Commission only upon success – you take no financial risk.
Only 25% Commission
Cheaper than Flightright and AirHelp – more stays in your pocket.
Consequential Cost Reimbursement
Hotel, meals, replacement transport – we claim it back for you.
Check your claim
Submit your flight details for free – online in 2 minutes.
We take over
Passengers Friend enforces your claim against the airline.
Receive your payout
Compensation paid directly to your account – with no further effort.
CLAIM REQUIREMENTS
When am I entitled to compensation in the event of overbooking?
In the case of overbooking, the requirements are relatively straightforward – the threshold is intentionally low because overbooking is a deliberate commercial decision by the airline.
Why do airlines overbook in the first place?
Airlines deliberately sell more tickets than there are available seats – based on statistical no-show rates. This is a calculated decision aimed at maximizing capacity utilization. The risk lies entirely with the airline – not the passenger.
COMPENSATION AMOUNTS UNDER EU LAW
How much compensation am I entitled to for overbooking?
The compensation amount depends on the distance of the booked route. In the case of overbooking, unlike for example flight rescheduling, there is no exception due to extraordinary circumstances. The airline must always pay.
| Flight distance | Compensation per person * | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | up to €250 | e.g. Berlin – Paris |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | up to €400 | e.g. Berlin – Cairo |
| Over 3,500 km | up to €600 | e.g. Berlin – New York |
* Details pursuant to EU Regulation EC 261/2004. No deductions possible in case of overbooking – full compensation even with immediate rebooking. Proven consequential costs may be reimbursed additionally.
Even if you reach your destination on the same day – the full compensation claim remains valid. The airline cannot avert payment by claiming you were rebooked onto another flight. Only if you arrive on an equivalent flight and the airline offers a reduction of up to 50% can the compensation be reduced.
Check your claim now – free of charge and in 2 minutes.
No risk, no upfront payment – only results.
YOUR IMMEDIATE RIGHTS
Waiting times at the airport – this assistance is your right.
In addition to compensation, the airline has immediate duty-of-care obligations at the airport – regardless of how quickly an alternative connection is offered:
Your Choice: Rebooking or Ticket Refund
In the event of overbooking, you also have the right to choose between these three options:
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Rebooking onto the next available flight to the same destination – free of charge, even with other airlines
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Rebooking to a later date of your choice – if you need more flexibility
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Full ticket refund + return flight to the departure airport (if you had a layover)
If the airline does not offer information or care at the gate, request it actively. Keep all receipts for meals, drinks, or hotels you paid for yourself – Passengers Friend can get these consequential costs reimbursed for you.
YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE AT THE GATE
Voluntarily giving up your seat – what you need to know
For overbooked flights, airlines first look for volunteers who are willing to give up their seat in exchange for compensation. This may sound tempting – but it involves risks you should be aware of.
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Early check-in pays off – passengers who check in first are the last to be bumped in the event of overbooking. Checking in early improves your chances of staying on board.
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Seat reservation – a seat reserved in advance increases the likelihood of being given priority during boarding.
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Priority boarding – frequent-flyer status or a priority ticket significantly increases your boarding priority.
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Negotiate a favorable bonus – if you're willing to give up your seat voluntarily, negotiate actively: the airline must offer you reasonable compensation plus all your legal rights (care, rebooking).
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Don't accept unattractive flights – follow-up flights from Monday to Friday are often less convenient than weekend alternatives. Ask about the next direct flight on your preferred date before agreeing.
Airlines often offer travel vouchers instead of a cash payout. These can come with conditions and may expire. Insist on cash payment or a bank transfer. You can accept a voucher in addition – but not instead of the legally required compensation.
STEP BY STEP
Here is how to proceed in the event of overbooking
Document
Request written confirmation of overbooking from gate staff. Keep all receipts for waiting time expenses.
Check claim
Submit flight data to Passengers Friend – free, online, in 2 minutes.
We take over
Passengers Friend enforces compensation and consequential costs – legally if necessary.
You should have these documents ready.
- Booking confirmation and boarding pass
- Written confirmation of the overbooking (request this from gate staff)
- Receipts for meals, hotel, or transfers paid for yourself
- Emails or letters from the airline regarding the rebooking
- Note of the time and place of the denied boarding
YOUR ADVANTAGE
Why Passengers friend – and not yourself or a lawyer?
Three options – one clear winner.
Passengers friend charges a 25% commission, making it cheaper than Flightright (~28%) and AirHelp (35%) – and therefore one of Germany’s most affordable provider.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
What our customers say
Google Reviews
"At the gate, I was simply denied boarding – no explanation, just a voucher. Passengers Friend secured €600 for me plus the follow-up costs. Absolutely recommend."
Overbooking · Long-haul"I never would have thought I was still entitled to compensation despite being rebooked the same day. Passengers Friend recognized this right away and handled everything for me."
Overbooking · Same-day rebooking"The airline never responded to my complaint letter. Passengers Friend took over the process and got €400 into my account after 4 months."
Overbooking · Airline non-response"There were four of us, and all four were entitled to compensation. Passengers Friend secured all four payouts at the same time – €2,400 in total. A great service."
Overbooking · 4 peopleFAQ
Everything about overbooking and compensation
The most frequently asked questions – answered clearly and directly.
What exactly does flight overbooking mean?
A flight is considered overbooked when the airline has sold more tickets than there are available seats on the aircraft. Airlines do this deliberately – they calculate that some passengers will not show up. However, if all or too many passengers arrive, some passengers must be denied boarding at the gate. This is overbooking.
What rights do I have if my flight is overbooked?
You are entitled to: (1) compensation of €250–€600 depending on the distance, (2) free rebooking on the next available flight or a full ticket refund, (3) assistance at the airport (meals, communication, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation). All of these rights apply alongside each other – one does not exclude the others.
How should I proceed if I am confronted with an overbooking situation at the airport?
Request written confirmation of the overbooking from the gate staff immediately. Ask about your alternative connection, assistance services, and compensation. Do not accept vouchers without carefully checking the conditions. Note the date, time, and names of the gate staff. Then: submit your claim with Passengers friend.
Am I still entitled to compensation if I have already been rebooked onto another flight?
Yes, in most cases. A rebooking does not automatically cancel your right to compensation. Only if you arrive on an equivalent alternative connection and the airline applies a legally permitted reduction of up to 50%, the compensation may be reduced. Passengers friend reviews your specific case free of charge.
Can I claim both compensation and a refund of the ticket price?
If you decide not to take the flight at all, you are entitled to both: the fixed compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 (€250–€600) and a full refund of the ticket price. These claims apply alongside each other and do not exclude one another.
How much does the Passengers friend service cost?
The assessment is completely free of charge. In the event of success, we charge a 25% commission (including VAT) – the lowest commission among all German providers. No success = no fee. No financial risk for you.
