The new Air Passenger Bill of Rights came into force in part on July 15th this year. That bill contains new regulations regarding what you can do as an air travel passenger when your flight is cancelled or delayed. As part of the bill, however, there are also rules concerning overbooked flights or a change of aircraft. Those rules differ to the ones about cancellation and will offer varying compensation amounts. Still with us? Good. Here’s what to do when your flight is overbooked or changed:

If you’re denied boarding because the flight is full, but you have a completely valid travel document with you, then you’ve been denied boarding due to overbooking. In most cases, this is completely the airline’s fault, and you’ll be entitled to compensation. In addition, if the aircraft for your flight is changed because of maintenance and the new aircraft is smaller than the original, you’ll be entitled to compensation then, too.

Unlike compensation due to cancellation or delay, the amount you’re entitled to as a result of overbooking or change of aircraft doesn’t vary from airline to airline. All airlines are required to pay you the same amount, and it’s calculated entirely based on how much of a delay you’re subject to. Here are the delay compensation tiers:

The airline must pay you this compensation when they notify you that you’ve been denied boarding. If the airline can’t pay you prior to the flight’s departure, then they must pay you within 48 hours.

Just like when your flight is cancelled or delayed, the airline has a duty of care which they must fulfill. When your flight is overbooked or the aircraft changes and you’re subject to delay, the airline must provide the following:

In addition, the airline has to ensure accommodation if an overnight stay is needed. This accommodation must be a hotel or equivalent, and the airline must also provide transport to your accommodation wherever it may be. All of this must be paid for by the airline, so you’re not required to pay a penny.

Again, as with delayed or cancelled flights, the airline must work hard to rebook you on its next available flight. If there isn’t one, larger airlines must book you on a flight of a competitor. If the rebooking wouldn’t satisfy - i.e. you wouldn’t have a reason to travel anymore - then you’re entitled to a full refund of your ticket plus minimum tier compensation.

Good question. Tarmac delays don’t offer any form of compensation, but there are rules here too. Airlines can’t keep you on the plane for more than 3 hours and 45 minutes. That’s a 3-hour baseline and an extra 45 minutes if the plane is likely to take off during that time frame. While you’re stuck on tarmac, you must have access to the following: