Every year, between six to 6.6 million airline passengers around the world are denied boarding despite holding confirmed tickets, a startling figure that highlights the widespread impact of airline overbook practices. Airlines frequently sell more tickets than there are seats on a flight, betting on a certain number of no-shows. However, when most passengers turn up, many travelers are left stranded, unable to board flights they’ve already paid for. A recent analysis by UK-based travel comparison site GoCompare found that over 20 million passengers globally are affected by overbooking each year, with nearly a third ultimately being turned away at the boarding gate.
The issue of denied boarding is not limited to international carriers. In India, overbook is a common practice, with airlines allowed to sell up to 15% more tickets than the available seats on a flight. While this is legally permitted, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandates strict guidelines for compensating affected passengers. Those denied boarding are entitled to compensation ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 for domestic routes, depending on the delay in arranging an alternative flight, along with full ticket refunds. Despite these provisions, compliance remains spotty. In one instance, Air India was fined ₹10 lakh by the DGCA in 2022 for failing to compensate passengers who were denied boarding, underscoring the gap between regulation and execution.
The reasons behind denied boarding typically include three scenarios: overbooking due to aggressive ticket sales, last-minute changes in aircraft type that reduce seat capacity, and operational constraints like fuel load or weight distribution. While airlines argue that overbooking helps optimize seat occupancy and keep ticket prices competitive, the practice often leaves passengers scrambling for alternatives and absorbing additional costs for accommodation, meals, and transport.
According to data from the U.S. and European aviation regulators, millions of travelers face disruptions every year. In the U.S. alone, over 350,000 passengers are bumped annually, with around 11,000 being involuntarily denied boarding. Globally, nearly a million passengers are neither compensated nor accommodated properly, resulting in financial and emotional distress. The inconvenience can be particularly severe for business travelers or those with critical connections.
To minimize the risk of being bumped, experts recommend checking in early, selecting a seat in advance, and traveling during off-peak hours. Passengers with airline loyalty status are also less likely to be denied boarding. Meanwhile, aviation regulators are increasingly pushing for consumer-friendly reforms. In India, the DGCA has proposed a revised policy that could raise maximum compensation to ₹20,000 per passenger—five times the current cap—along with mandatory refunds and faster grievance redressal.
Despite these efforts, the practice to overbook continues unabated. As air travel rebounds post-pandemic, the number of affected passengers could climb further unless stricter enforcement and passenger awareness measures are put in place. For now, travelers are advised to know their rights and prepare for the possibility of denied boarding—even with a confirmed ticket in hand.
