Flight Overbooking Bucharest – How to Claim Up to €600 Compensation

Bucharest is a popular travel hub, with Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) – commonly known as Otopeni – handling millions of passengers each year​. With so many travelers passing through, it’s no surprise that flight overbooking can happen. If you’ve ever arrived at the airport excited for your trip, only to hear “Sorry, we’ve overbooked the flight”, you know how frustrating it is. But don’t worry – if this happens to you in Bucharest, you have rights and could be entitled to significant compensation (up to €600!) under European law​. In this guide, we’ll explain why flights get overbooked, what to do if you’re denied boarding, how to navigate Bucharest’s airports (OTP and the smaller Aurel Vlaicu Airport (BBU)), and how Trouble Flight can help you claim your compensation with minimal hassle. Let’s turn that overbooking nightmare into a payday!

What is Flight Overbooking and Why Do Airlines Do It?

Flight overbooking is when an airline sells more tickets for a flight than there are seats on the plane​. Airlines deliberately do this to account for “no-shows” – passengers who don’t show up for the flight. In theory, if a few people miss the flight, overbooking ensures every seat is still filled and the airline maximizes revenue.

However, things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes everyone shows up – and suddenly there are more passengers at the gate than seats on the aircraft. When that happens, the flight is officially overbooked, and the airline has to figure out who actually gets to board.

Common reasons for overbooking (including on Bucharest flights) include:

• High Demand and Peak Times: During holidays, summer vacations, or big events in Bucharest, flights are packed. Airlines anticipate some cancellations or no-shows, so they overbook to avoid flying with empty seats​.

• Airline Policy: Many airlines have a general policy to overbook by a certain percentage. They use historical data to guess how many people won’t show up.

• Last-Minute Aircraft Changes: Occasionally, an airline might swap in a smaller plane for operational reasons, reducing the number of seats. A flight that wasn’t technically overbooked can become overbooked if the new plane has fewer seats than tickets sold​.

So, overbooking is legal and a common practice (unfair as it may feel). Airlines do it to ensure full flights, but when it goes wrong, passengers can be left stranded. Fortunately, European Regulation EC 261/2004 is on your side, especially when you’re flying from a busy EU airport like Bucharest OTP​.

Bucharest’s Two Airports: OTP and BBU

When talking about “flight overbooking in Bucharest,” we’re mainly dealing with Otopeni Airport (OTP), since it’s the primary international airport serving the city​. OTP is about 16 km north of central Bucharest and is Romania’s busiest airport, often crowded with both business travelers and tourists. If your flight from OTP is overbooked, you’re certainly not alone – with thousands of passengers passing through daily, this hub sees its share of overbooking situations.

Bucharest’s other airport is Aurel Vlaicu Airport (BBU), also known as Băneasa Airport. BBU is much smaller and only 8-10 km from the city center. It used to handle commercial flights (especially low-cost carriers) until 2012, when it was converted into a business/charter airport​. Nowadays, BBU mostly sees private jets and the occasional charter flight. However, there’s news that some low-cost flights are resuming at Baneasa – for example, Wizz Air has plans to operate certain routes from there in 2025. This means in rare cases, your Bucharest flight could depart from or be re-routed to BBU.

Bottom line: If you’re flying to or from Bucharest, it’s almost certainly via OTP (Otopeni). Overbooking issues will likely happen at OTP’s gates. BBU is a secondary player, but we’ll mention it as an alternative later on, just in case an overbooking situation leads you to consider other airports.

Why Would Overbooking Happen in Bucharest?

Overbooking in Bucharest happens for the same reasons as anywhere else – airlines trying to fill seats. But let’s put it in context:

• Bustling Hub: Bucharest OTP handles a huge share of Romania’s air traffic. In a normal year, over 13 million passengers pass through​ (and this number grows annually). With so many people, airlines often overestimate no-shows.

• Popular Routes: Bucharest has popular routes to London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, etc. These flights are frequently full. Airlines like TAROM, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and Blue Air (when it was operating) might overbook seats to ensure full planes, especially on prime-time flights.

• Connecting Passengers: OTP is a connecting point for some travelers. If an incoming flight is late, the airline might overbook the next flight with local passengers and then suddenly the connecting folks show up – boom, more people than seats.

• Seasonal Surges: Summers in Bucharest, Christmas, and Easter holidays see many Romanians flying home or out for vacations. Flights get overbooked a lot during these peak periods due to high demand.

If your Bucharest flight is overbooked, it’s likely not personal – it’s a numbers game airlines play. But now let’s talk about your rights when you get caught in that game.

Your Rights Under EU Regulation 261/2004 for Overbooked Flights

Here’s the good news: Under European Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, if you are denied boarding because of an overbooked flight (and you did not give up your seat voluntarily), you are legally entitled to compensation in addition to a ticket refund or alternative flight​. This law covers all flights departing from EU airports (like OTP/BBU in Bucharest) and flights into the EU on EU-based airlines. Since Bucharest is in the EU, almost every overbooking situation here falls under this protection.

The compensation amounts are fixed by law, based on the flight distance:

• €250 for short flights up to 1,500 km (e.g., Bucharest to Budapest or Vienna).

• €400 for mid-range flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km (e.g., Bucharest to London is about 2,100 km).

• €600 for long-haul flights over 3,500 km (e.g., Bucharest to Dubai or New York)​.

These amounts are per passenger. So if you and a friend were both denied boarding, you could each get up to €600 (depending on distance). Not bad for a travel hiccup, right?

In addition to the cash compensation, the airline must offer you a choice between:

• Re-routing/Alternate flight: They should offer to put you on an alternative flight to your destination at the earliest opportunity or at a later date if you prefer. This could mean later that day via the same airport, or even from a different airport (we’ll discuss alternatives in Bucharest soon).

• Ticket Refund: If you decide not to travel anymore because of the overbooking, you’re entitled to a full refund of your original ticket​. And if you had a connecting flight as part of the same booking that you can’t use anymore, that should be refunded too.

Important: You also have the right to care while you wait. If your new flight isn’t until much later, the airline must provide meals and refreshments, and even hotel accommodation + transport to the hotel if you’re stuck overnight​. They should also let you make a couple of phone calls or emails for free (so you can inform family or adjust plans)​. Don’t hesitate to ask the airline staff for these things – they are legally required to help you while you’re inconvenienced.

One more crucial point: Do not volunteer your seat if you want the EU compensation. Airlines will often ask for volunteers when a flight is overbooked. They might dangle travel vouchers, points, or a flight credit. If you voluntarily accept that and give up your seat, you typically waive your right to the EU cash compensation​. It’s fine if the airline’s offer really appeals to you – just be aware you can’t double-dip. Most seasoned travelers in Europe hold out for the cash.

Alright, so you know the law has your back for up to €600. How do you actually handle the situation on the ground, at the airport, when your flight out of Bucharest is overbooked? Let’s walk through it.

What to Do If You’re Denied Boarding in Bucharest

Find yourself stuck at OTP with a boarding pass but no seat? Here are practical steps to take when your flight is overbooked:

1. Stay Calm and Don’t Rush to Volunteer: The airline might ask for volunteers to take a later flight. Unless you’re in no hurry and the offer is very attractive, it’s usually better not to volunteer. If you volunteer, the airline will give you something (voucher, miles, etc.), but you likely won’t get the EU cash compensation on top of that. If you hold out, two things can happen: either enough people volunteer (and you fly as planned), or you get involuntarily bumped – which triggers your right to compensation. It sounds odd, but being involuntarily bumped is financially better for you than volunteering in many cases.

2. Get Written Confirmation from the Airline: If you are denied boarding, politely ask the airline staff for a written statement or confirmation of what happened. This could be a slip or email stating that you were denied boarding due to overbooking. Having this document is super helpful when filing a compensation claim, as it’s proof the flight was overbooked (airlines sometimes try to blame things on “operational reasons” – which in this case is the same thing, but it helps to have it in writing).

3. Secure Alternate Travel Arrangements: Talk to the airline’s customer service desk immediately. They are obligated to offer you an alternative way to reach your destination. Ask about other flights from OTP that day. If there’s another flight on the same airline, they should put you on it. If there’s none soon, you can even request if they can book you on a partner airline or another carrier that has space (airlines sometimes have agreements for such situations). Also, mention Bucharest’s other airport (BBU) if you know a flight might go from there – occasionally, airlines might accommodate you from BBU if, say, a low-cost carrier has a flight there. Additionally, consider nearby cities: for example, if your flight to London was overbooked and nothing is available today, maybe see if they can fly you from Sibiu (SBZ) or Cluj-Napoca (CLJ) airport and provide transport there. It’s not ideal, but if you really need to get moving, flying from a different city could be a solution. The key is to explore options: don’t just accept a flight two days later if there might be a seat to your destination from somewhere else or with another airline sooner.

4. Ask for Assistance (Meals, Hotel, Transport): If your new flight isn’t immediate, know your rights to care. For a wait of a few hours, ask for meal vouchers. If you’re rebooked next day, ask for a hotel night and taxi. Airlines at OTP are used to these requests – don’t be shy. It’s part of EU rules that they must take care of you while you wait​.

5. Keep All Your Travel Documents: Hang on to that boarding pass (even if it says “seat pending” or it’s just a check-in stub). Keep your booking confirmation emails, any new boarding passes for the rebooked flight, and receipts if you had to pay for anything due to the delay (meals, hotel, etc. – you might get reimbursed). These documents will support your compensation claim later. Take photos of them on your phone just in case.

6. Negotiate If You Want (Politely): While waiting, you can try to negotiate with the airline staff for a better deal, especially if you’re considering volunteering. For example, you might say, “I might volunteer if you can confirm a seat on the next flight and bump me to business class” or ask for a higher-value voucher. There’s no guarantee, but airlines sometimes increase their offer if not enough people volunteer initially. Just remember, if you strike a deal and volunteer, you’ll likely trade away the cash compensation. It’s a bit of a gamble/choice: voucher now or cash later. Many folks prefer cash later (via EU261) because €250-€600 in cash can beat a travel voucher’s value.

7. Make Sure You Get Where You Need to Go: Overbooking can throw your plans into disarray. Once you have a new flight (or decided to abandon travel and take a refund), make the necessary calls: inform your hotel or car rental if you’ll be late, reschedule that meeting if needed, etc. Use the airline’s offered phone calls or Wi-Fi to sort out your arrangements.

8. Claim Your Compensation! This is crucial. Airlines might not mention that you’re entitled to money – often it’s up to you to pursue it after the dust settles. We’ll cover next how to do this easily with Trouble Flight. But as a step at the airport: note down your flight details (flight number, date, how long you were delayed getting to your destination). If you arrived more than 2 hours later than planned due to the overbooking, you should definitely be eligible for compensation​. Don’t let the airline off the hook – you deserve to be compensated for the inconvenience.

By following these steps, you’ll be set up to both reach your destination as smoothly as possible and prepare for getting your money afterwards. Now, let’s talk about those alternative airports and getting around Bucharest, since that can come into play with overbookings.

Alternative Flights and Airports Around Bucharest

If your flight is overbooked or even canceled while you’re in Bucharest, you might consider alternative airports for a backup plan (especially if the airline can’t get you out of OTP soon enough).

• Bucharest Băneasa (BBU): We mentioned BBU already – it’s the smaller airport in the city. While it doesn’t have regular commercial service like OTP, occasionally charters or low-cost carriers might operate there​. It’s always worth asking the airline if any flight from BBU could solve your problem. For instance, if you were bumped from an OTP flight, maybe (just maybe) there’s an odd flight from BBU they can put you on. The chances are slim, but in desperate times, it’s an option to check. The good thing is BBU is only about a 15-minute drive from OTP, so transferring between them is quick (more on that in a moment).

• Other Romanian Airports (if you’re really stuck): If you absolutely need to get somewhere and OTP options are exhausted, consider flights from Sibiu (SBZ) or Cluj-Napoca (CLJ). Sibiu Airport is ~280 km from Bucharest (about 4 hours by train or car)​. Cluj is further (about 5-6 hours drive). These airports have flights to many European cities. For example, if you’re trying to get to Germany or Spain and OTP is a bust today, there might be a flight from Cluj you could catch. Of course, getting there is a trek – but if the airline is offering to cover your train or give you a driver as part of rerouting, why not ask? Also, Iași (IAS) in northeast Romania or Timișoara (TSR) in the west have international flights. These are far from Bucharest, but in extreme cases, an airline might route a passenger through a different city (or you might choose to go yourself and later claim costs) to avoid a multi-day delay. Always coordinate with the airline if you pursue this, so they formally endorse you on another flight or agree to cover the transport.

• Neighboring Countries: This is less common, but if you were supposed to fly Bucharest to somewhere and everything is full, sometimes people look at flights from nearby cities like Sofia, Bulgaria or Varna (on the Black Sea coast). Sofia is about 4-5 hours drive from Bucharest. This would likely be something you’d arrange yourself, not the airline, and then claim costs – so only consider it if you’re comfortable with potentially fighting for reimbursement. Usually it doesn’t come to this; airlines will get you out of OTP or a Romanian airport before suggesting you go to another country!

In summary, OTP is your main gateway. BBU is a local backup for niche cases. Other airports are far but can be lifesavers if you really need an alternate route. In any case, such alternatives should be Plan B or C – most times, the airline will just put you on the next available flight from OTP, even if it’s next morning.

Navigating Between Bucharest’s Airports

If you do end up having to use a different airport in Bucharest (say you’re at OTP but they rebook you from BBU, or vice versa), here’s how to get around:

• Distance: OTP is about 16.5 km north of Bucharest center, and BBU is about 8.5 km north of center​. The distance between OTP and BBU themselves is roughly 8-10 km. In good traffic, it’s a 10-minute taxi ride; in rush hour, maybe 20-30 minutes (Bucharest traffic can be wild).

• By Taxi / Ride-share: The quickest way is a taxi or ride-share (Uber/Bolt). Always use official taxi stands or apps at OTP – avoid random drivers who approach you. A ride from OTP to BBU should be relatively inexpensive (on the order of 40-50 RON, which is €8-€10)​. Both airports have taxi access; OTP even has ride-share pickup zones​.

• By Bus: There are two express bus lines, 783 and 780, that serve OTP and pass through the city. They actually stop near Baneasa (BBU) on the way. For example, the 783 runs from Bucharest city center (Piața Unirii) to OTP and stops in the Băneasa area, which is right by BBU​. So if you’re at OTP and need to get to BBU cheaply, you could hop on a 783 or 780 bus heading toward the city and get off at the Băneasa stop. The cost is just a few lei (the local currency). The buses run frequently (783 even 24/7). If you’re going the other way (BBU to OTP), the same buses in reverse will get you there, or of course a quick taxi as mentioned.

• By Train: OTP has a direct train link to Gara de Nord (the main Bucharest railway station)​. BBU doesn’t have a dedicated train, but it’s very close to the city so not really needed. If you had to go from OTP to the city (Gara de Nord) by train and then to BBU, you could – but honestly, taking the bus or a taxi is simpler for airport-to-airport transfer.

• By Car: If you’ve rented a car or got someone picking you up, it’s straightforward using the DN1 highway which connects Bucharest with the airport area. Just drive from OTP down to Baneasa; follow signs to București and then Băneasa.

In short, getting between OTP and BBU is not too difficult given their relatively short distance. Always plan a bit of extra time if you need to switch airports. And if the airline is the one rebooking you via the other airport, ask if they will provide a shuttle or taxi – sometimes in irregular operations they might group passengers and transport them.

How Trouble Flight Helps You Claim Compensation

Dealing with the airline’s customer service and rebooking is only half the battle. The other half is getting the compensation you’re owed. Airlines don’t exactly hand out that €250-€600 willingly – you often have to claim it. This is where Trouble Flight makes life a lot easier for passengers affected by overbooking in Bucharest (or anywhere in Europe).

What is Trouble Flight? It’s a service that specializes in claiming flight disruption compensation on behalf of travelers. Whether it’s a delay, cancellation, or overbooking/denied boarding, Trouble Flight knows the law inside-out and will fight the airline for your compensation so you don’t have to. Think of them as your personal air passenger rights lawyers (without the scary lawyer fees).

Here’s how Trouble Flight simplifies the process:

• Compensation Calculator: On the Trouble Flight website, you’ll find a handy Compensation Calculator. You just enter some basic details about your flight (origin, destination, airline, date, what happened, etc.), and it will instantly check if your case likely qualifies under EU 261/2004 and how much compensation you might get. This is super useful if you’re not sure whether you have a valid claim. In the case of an overbooked Bucharest flight, if you were denied boarding and arrived late to your destination, the calculator will almost certainly show you’re entitled to money – potentially the full €600 if it was a longer flight. It’s a quick, no-obligation way to know your rights in concrete terms (“Okay, looks like I can claim €400, neat!”).

• No Win, No Fee Policy: Trouble Flight operates on a no-win, no-fee basis​. This means it costs you nothing upfront to file a claim. You submit your case to them, and they handle everything. If they manage to get compensation from the airline, that’s when they take a success-based commission (more on that in a second). If, for some reason, they fail to get you anything, you pay nothing. This policy is great because it basically means Trouble Flight is as motivated as you are to win the case – they only get paid when you do.

• Expert Handling: Once you submit your claim (which takes just a few minutes online – essentially filling out a form and maybe uploading a scan/photo of your boarding pass and ID), the Trouble Flight team takes over. They will contact the airline on your behalf, present the case, and push for your compensation. Airlines often try to delay or deny payouts, but Trouble Flight knows the legal arguments and paperwork to cut through the nonsense. In many cases, just having a professional claims company involved will make an airline pay up faster, because they know you mean business.

• Legal Action if Needed: Sometimes airlines still refuse to pay rightful claims or ignore requests. If that happens, Trouble Flight can escalate the case to court with the help of their partner lawyers​. You personally don’t have to go to court – they handle it. This is a huge relief, because who wants to deal with lawsuits in a foreign country or against an airline’s legal team? Trouble Flight will take care of filing a lawsuit in the appropriate jurisdiction and represent your case.

• Transparent Commission (Including Legal Action): Now, you might wonder, “What’s the catch? How much do they take?” Trouble Flight’s standard commission for a successful claim is 25% of the compensation (plus VAT)​. This is pretty competitive (and you only pay it if they get your money). For example, if you are awarded €400, their fee would be €100 + VAT, and you’d get the rest. If the case is straightforward, you get your money minus that commission. However, if a court case is necessary (i.e. the airline wouldn’t pay otherwise), there is an additional legal action fee. Don’t worry – they cap the total commission at 50% of the compensation (+ VAT)​. In other words, even if it goes to court, you’ll receive at least 50% of your compensation in the end. This 50% (+ VAT) commission covers all the legal costs and work needed to win the case. Trouble Flight will always inform you if they need to take legal action. The good part is, even with a 50% commission, that’s money you likely wouldn’t have seen at all if you tried on your own and gave up or lost the court case. And again, if they lose in court, you pay nothing – they eat the costs. It’s a win-win (or no-fee) setup.

• No Hassle for You: Using Trouble Flight means you don’t have to haggle with the airline or navigate complex legal forms. Everything is handled, and you’ll be updated on the progress. Many passengers prefer this because after a stressful overbooking experience, the last thing you want is a prolonged battle with an airline. Trouble Flight essentially takes the burden off your shoulders.

• Multilingual Support: If you’re a foreign traveler in Bucharest, note that Trouble Flight offers their service in many languages​. So you can likely get support in your native language, which helps when providing details and understanding the process.

In short, Trouble Flight turns your overbooking ordeal into a simple claim process. They’ve dealt with cases from Bucharest OTP before, so they know how to approach airlines that operate there. It’s as simple as going to their site, using the compensation calculator, and submitting your claim. From there, you wait a bit and let the experts do their magic. Before you know it, you could have a few hundred euros back in your bank account – a nice silver lining to that frustrating day at the airport!

No-Win, No-Fee – What’s the Catch?

It’s natural to be skeptical of the “no-win, no-fee” promise, but with Trouble Flight it’s pretty straightforward. If they don’t get you compensation, you truly owe nothing​. They take on all the risk. If they succeed, the commission we discussed is their reward for the service. Think of it as not having to pay for a lawyer or spend your own time; instead you outsource it and only pay from the winnings.

To recap the commission with a real example: Say your Bucharest to Paris flight was overbooked and you arrive 5 hours late via a different route. You’re entitled to €400. Trouble Flight wins the case and the airline pays €400. Trouble Flight takes 25% + VAT (about €119 in total, since 25% of 400 is €100, plus VAT €19). You receive €281. If the airline had been stubborn and it went to court, Trouble Flight would take a higher fee, up to 50% including VAT. Worst case, you’d get €200 out of €400. But that’s still €200 more than zero – and you didn’t have to lift a finger to get it. No hidden fees, no upfront charges. Everything is taken from the compensation amount, and it’s all clearly outlined from the start.

Knowing this, you can feel confident using Trouble Flight. They’re not going to send you a surprise bill. Their incentive is perfectly aligned with yours: get the maximum compensation, as fast as possible.

Time to Get Your Compensation – Up to €600 Awaits!

So, your flight from Bucharest was overbooked. It was annoying, it messed up your schedule, maybe you had to take a later flight or even travel the next day. You might have spent extra on meals or a taxi home from the airport. You’re definitely owed something for that trouble. The law says you could get up to €600 per passenger in compensation​ – that’s not chump change!

Don’t leave that money on the table. Airlines bank on many people not knowing their rights or not bothering to claim, which saves the airline money. Don’t let them off the hook. It’s your right to be compensated and it’s essentially a penalty to the airline for the inconvenience caused to you.

With Trouble Flight, claiming is as easy as a few clicks. There’s no need to navigate complicated bureaucracy or spend hours on hold with the airline. Just use the online Compensation Calculator, submit your claim, and let Trouble Flight do what they do best – fighting airlines on your behalf. Remember, it’s no-win, no-fee, so you have nothing to lose.

Ready to turn that overbooked flight into a payday? Head over to Trouble Flight and submit your claim now. You could have hundreds of euros back in your pocket soon – money you can use for your next trip (or to treat yourself to something nice to make up for the travel headache!). European law is on your side, and Trouble Flight will make sure the airlines play by the rules.

Don’t let a Bucharest overbooking experience end on a sour note. Claim your compensation, get up to €600, and fly happier next time knowing that even if things go wrong, you’ve got Trouble Flight in your corner to make it right. Safe travels – and happy claiming!