is there a way to tell if a flight is overbooked?

Answer 1

look at the seat assignments
if all are full - there is a good chance it's overbooked

I was being smart and called back in the 70's to confirm
my ticket home - and was told that the flight was full -
I could not get a reservation

I said - I don't need one - because I have a ticket in my hot little hand (yeah - tickets - remember those)

The agent took the ticket number and said they would somehow get me on the full plane

no trouble - coach was only half full - -

had another flight that I was last to get there - no seats left in coach - I asked for a stand-by upgrade to first class
and GOT it ! free of charge

back when they served meals - mmmMMMmmmMMmmm

all the best

Answer 2

You have to understand that for the most part all flights are overbooked. And most flights will stay that way until the date of travel. Understand that the most ample picture of how/when the gate agents/airline will know of an overbooking sittuation is when the check-in process has concluded and it is then seen that the aircraft can hold 120 people and there are 135 passengers checked in for this flight. For the most part, the flights are overbooked and even then passngers do not show up.