Winter travel chaos: Why so many Mallorca flights are overbooked right now

More tickets than seats: The situation at a glance

In recent weeks, local travel agencies in Palma have recorded a noticeable increase in overbooked flights. This affects not only domestic routes between the Balearic Islands but also connections to Germany. Those who book at the last minute or only check in at the airport are more likely to end up without a seat — especially on morning and evening flights when many residents are travelling.

Why is this happening right now?

The reasons are multiple, and yes, a bit complicated: airlines are trying to balance the tight budget around the so-called resident discount. Practically, this means that airlines receive only a small part of the ticket price immediately and wait for settlement with the state. To avoid losses, sometimes more bookings enter the system than there are seats available. Seasonal shifts, short-notice schedule changes and increased connection requirements also play a role.

Which airlines are affected — and which are not?

The situation fluctuates from week to week. Some local agents name routes with resident fares as hotspots. Large low-cost carriers like Ryanair are currently considered less affected, while isolated bottlenecks have been reported for other providers. High-demand connections between Palma and German airports also regularly appear in reports.

What should affected passengers do?

A few practical, easy-to-implement tips that often help:

• Check in online immediately: Many airlines open their check-in window 24–48 hours before departure. Those who have their boarding pass early are clearly at an advantage.
• Arrive early at the airport: Terminal A in Palma fills up quickly, especially on Mondays and Fridays.
• Keep documents ready: resident ID, booking confirmation, email receipts — in case you need to file a complaint.
• Check alternatives: rebooking, the next flight or requesting a refund — preferably directly via the airline's website.

What rights do passengers have?

EU passenger rights (Regulation 261/2004) apply: in case of denial of boarding due to overbooking, the airline must usually offer alternative transport or a refund. Additional compensation may be payable depending on distance and delay. On the island, travellers also report that airlines sometimes re-accommodate passengers courteously — but that is not automatic.

In short: anyone flying to or from Mallorca soon should not rely on luck. A bit of planning — checking in at the earliest possible moment, keeping paperwork in order and staying flexible — saves trouble. And yes, I know people who were rebooked last week: annoying, but solvable with a handful of emails.