Airports can be a nightmare. You arrive hours before take off, stand in what feels like the world's longest queue, and even then you are not always guaranteed to get on the flight you paid for.
But what happens if the worst possible scenario comes true and your flight is overbooked?
The bad news is airlines can legally deny you the right to board even if you have a valid ticket. But the good news is you have rights.
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Read on to find out what you are entitled to if you are flying from Leeds Bradford Airport.
The first thing to know is that UK law protects the rights of passengers on flights departing from the UK no matter the airline, plus those on flights departing outside the UK that land here, so long as you are travelling with a UK or EU airline.
If an airline is overbooked, it will first ask people to volunteer to give up their seats. At this time, if you volunteer, you can agree with the airline what benefits you would like to receive in return. You will also be entitled to an alternative flight or a refund.
If there are not enough volunteers, the airline is then able to deny you boarding against your will. However, providing you checked-in on time, you will be entitled to compensation.
The compensation you are owed will depend on the length of your flight and of the delay caused, as set out in the UK Civil Aviation Authority's chart below.
Regardless of whether you volunteered to give up your seat or you were denied boarding, you must be allowed to choose between the following options:
1) Choose an alternative flight
It is your choice if you would like to fly as soon as possible or at another date that is more convenient to you. If you choose the former, your airline must also provide assistance while you wait.
They must provide:
- Accommodation, if you are re-routed the next day (usually in a nearby hotel)
- Transport to and from the accommodation (or your home, if you are able to return there)
- A reasonable amount of food and drink (often provided in the form of vouchers)
- A means for you to communicate (often by refunding the cost of your calls)
2) A refund
If you no longer want to fly, you can ask for a refund. The refund applies to all parts of the ticket you have not used. This means if you do not make the outbound journey of a return flight, you can get a refund for the full return ticket.
If you are mid-way through a journey, the airline should also help you to return to your starting point.
If you are unable to resolve the issue with the airline in accordance with the above, you may consider contacting the Civil Aviation Authority.
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