Flight Overbooking Tarom – What to Do When You're Bumped from Your Flight

Overbooked on a Tarom Flight? Let’s Talk About What Happens Next

So, there you are at the airport, suitcase in hand, boarding pass ready, maybe dreaming of a getaway or preparing for a crucial business trip — and suddenly, you're told there’s no seat for you. Despite having a ticket. Despite checking in on time.

Welcome to the frustrating world of flight overbooking.

And yes, it happens with Tarom, too — Romania’s national airline. They’re usually a safe bet, flying to major European cities like Rome, Vienna, Amsterdam, and regional hubs such as Chișinău or Budapest. But when flights are fully booked and everyone shows up, someone might get left behind. Sometimes, that someone is you.

Now what? Let’s break it down.

Why Do Airlines Overbook Anyway?

Believe it or not, it’s often intentional. Airlines assume a small percentage of passengers won’t show up, so they sell more tickets than there are seats. It’s a gamble — and when everyone turns up on time, someone loses.

The airline? Not really.
The unlucky passenger? Always.

But here’s where it gets interesting: if you're denied boarding due to overbooking against your will, and your flight departed from the EU or was operated by an EU airline like Tarom, you’re likely entitled to compensation under European Regulation EC261/2004.

Compensation for Overbooking with Tarom – What You Could Get

If you were denied boarding involuntarily and you didn’t volunteer to take a later flight in exchange for perks, then the law is on your side. Here's what you could be looking at:

• Up to €250 for flights up to 1,500 km

• Up to €400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km or other flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km

• Up to €600 for flights longer than 3,500 km outside the EU

And that’s per person. So, if your whole family of four was denied boarding, that could mean as much as €2,400 in your pocket.

But What If They Offered You a Voucher, Meal, or Hotel Stay?

Let’s make something clear: those things do not replace your right to compensation.

Sure, a sandwich and a night in a hotel are nice gestures. But they’re just assistance — not payment for your trouble. You’re still entitled to financial compensation on top of whatever Tarom gave you at the time.

What Should You Do Right Away If You're Bumped?

We know it’s stressful in the moment. You’re angry, confused, and maybe anxious about missing an event. But a few small actions at the airport can really help later:

1. Ask for the reason in writing.
Get a written statement that says you were denied boarding due to overbooking.

2. Request your boarding denial certificate.
Yes, this exists. It’s official and helps support your compensation claim.

3. Keep all receipts.
Snacks, taxis, hotel rooms — anything you had to pay because of the delay.

4. Don’t sign away your rights.
If they offer you a voucher, read the fine print. It may include a clause where you give up your right to claim more. You don’t have to accept it.

What If You Volunteered to Take a Later Flight?

This part is important. If you volunteered to be bumped in exchange for compensation (like a travel voucher or cash), then you probably waived your right to claim under EC261.

But if they didn’t give you clear options, pressured you, or failed to inform you of your rights, then it might still be worth exploring.

Stuck in Bucharest? What Are Your Options?

If you were overbooked at Henri Coandă Airport (Bucharest), you’ve got more options than just waiting around. Depending on where you’re trying to go, you might want to:

• Check departures from Sibiu or Cluj-Napoca. They’re not too far by train or car.

• Look at regional airports in Hungary, Bulgaria, or Serbia. Sometimes flights from Budapest or Sofia can get you moving faster.

• Train or bus for short-haul routes. If you were flying to nearby places like Chișinău or Belgrade, a night bus could be faster than waiting for a rebooking.

Can I Book Another Airline on the Same Route?

Yes, and sometimes that’s your best bet — especially when time matters. Tarom flies popular European routes, but so do other carriers. If you see an earlier flight on the same day, check if you can get on it and request reimbursement from Tarom later.

But before doing that, ask the airline to rebook you first. It’s their responsibility. If they can’t or won’t help, keep receipts and explanations for any steps you take.

Denied Boarding Isn’t Just an Inconvenience — It’s Personal

Let’s face it. You’re not just missing a flight. You’re missing a chance to say goodbye, to celebrate, to close a deal, or to rest before a new job. This isn’t just a delay — it’s a disruption that could impact your whole day or even week.

That’s why the law acknowledges your emotional and practical loss by offering compensation. Not because they want to be nice — but because you deserve it.

What If I Was Connecting Through Europe on a Longer Journey?

This happens more often than you think. Imagine flying from Tel Aviv to London with a stop in Bucharest, and you’re denied boarding on the second leg. Even if your final destination isn’t in the EU, the rules can still apply if your journey started in the EU and you were flying with an EU airline like Tarom.

Your connection counts. And so does your missed opportunity.

So How Do You Actually Claim This Compensation?

You could try going to the airline’s website, digging through policies, writing emails, and hoping they don’t ignore you.

But there’s a better way.

Trouble Flight is here for this exact reason. We don’t just help — we handle the whole process, from the first form to legal follow-up if needed.

• No forms to translate

• No arguments with customer service

• No confusion over what you're owed

You just submit your flight details into our Compensation Calculator to see what you might get. It's not a guaranteed offer — but it’s a great first step. If you're eligible, we’ll fight for your rights.

We only get paid if you win. No tricks, no upfront payments. And yes, we even take care of the legal side if it comes to that.

Overbooking: It’s Common, But It Shouldn’t Be Normal

Let’s normalize something else: getting compensated when the airline messes up. You didn’t do anything wrong. You were on time. You had a booking. You deserved your seat.

Overbooking is a gamble the airline plays with your travel time. If they lose that bet, they should pay — not you.

Whether it’s Tarom or any other carrier, your time is valuable. Don’t settle for an apology. You deserve something more solid.

Final Words Before You Move On

Maybe you’re reading this while waiting at the airport. Or maybe your overbooking incident was last week, and you're still mad about it. Either way, remember this:

You have more control than you think.
You have rights under EU law.
You have support — you don’t need to go it alone.

Take a deep breath, gather your documents, and check what you’re owed.

Because if you were bumped from a Tarom flight, it’s not just about being patient. It’s about being paid.