Nothing beats the luxury lie-flat seat and extra amenities in first class, business class or premium economy on a long flight – that is, until you’ve been bumped to economy.
While uncommon, involuntary downgrading can happen to anyone.
This occurs primarily due to overselling or last-minute aircraft changes, though this is rare for major airlines.
Passengers may also be asked to sit elsewhere if their booked seat is faulty or even if a pilot or crew member requires a space to rest.
This can be especially frustrating for passengers who have not only forked out hundreds on premium seats, but who also lose out on the enhanced comfort, service and amenities they expected with their booking.
According to AirAdvisor CEO Anton Radchenko, who was downgraded twice in 2023, the most common reason for an involuntary downgrade is overbooking.
Airlines often sell more tickets than there are seats on planes as a strategy to make more money, relying on passengers who either miss their flight or cancel at the last minute in order to keep the plane full.
However, if too many passengers arrive, some may either be denied boarding and bumped to other flights, or may be required to downgrade their seat.
Nothing beats the luxury lie-flat seat and ample legroom in first class, business class or premium economy on a long flight – that is, until you’ve been bumped to economy
Speaking to CNN Travel, Radchenko shared invaluable advice for those who happen to find themselves downgraded.
The most crucial thing to do is to document everything, to be proactive in seeking as much information as possible, and to be aware of your rights.
In order to secure the compensation they are legally entitled to, passengers should retain evidence to back up a claim – such as photos of the new seat, boarding passes and all records of communication.
Some airlines may push back or deny compensation to passengers who cannot physically prove the downgrade occurred, and refunds for involuntary downgrades can be tricky as airline pricing continuously fluctuates.
Radchenko warned that airlines may also use the most recent price to pay out less compensation, so it’s important passengers calculate the fare difference according to pricing at the time of booking.
The expert also encourages passengers to ‘act quickly’ and submit a refund request as soon as possible, as airlines may have specific windows for processing requests.
He explained: ‘The 72-hour window before or after a scheduled flight is crucial because that’s when airlines make key operational decisions, including cancellations, refunds, schedule changes and rebookings by assessing weather, crew availability, technical issues and other possible factors.’
Acting quickly not only creates a paper trail, but increases the chances of a successful claim under passenger protection regulations. like UK261 or EU261, and avoids being stranded if alternative travel is required.
Involuntary downgrading can be frustrating for passengers who have not only forked out hundreds on premium seats, but who also lose out on the enhanced comfort, service and amenities they expected with their booking
According to Radchenko, passengers who are flying to or from an EU airport, or on an EU airline, are protected against involuntary downgrades by EU and UK passenger rights regulations.
This entitles them to a partial refund of their ticket price (30 to 75 per cent depending on the distance of the route).
In order to avoid or reduce the possibility of being downgraded, the expert urges passengers to book their flights at their earliest convenience and check in as soon as possible.
It’s also helpful to be loyal to one airline, as someone with elite status is less likely to be downgraded than someone who rarely flies business or first-class with the airline.
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