Denied Boarding Compensation – Claim What You’re Owed

Denied boarding compensation

Being denied boarding can be stressful and disruptive – especially if you arrive at the airport on time with a valid ticket and are still bumped off your flight. The good news: under EU air passenger rights law, you may be entitled to denied boarding compensation of up to €600 per passenger.

In this guide, we explain what denied boarding means, the most common denied boarding reasons (including overbooking), your rights under EU261 regulations, and how to claim your denied boarding compensation quickly and easily.

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What Is Denied Boarding?

Denied boarding occurs when an airline refuses to let you board your flight against your will, even though you:

• Had a confirmed booking

• Checked in on time

• Held all required travel documents

Denied boarding is often referred to as being “bumped off a flight” and is most commonly caused by overbooking. Airlines sometimes sell more tickets than available seats, assuming that not all passengers will show up.

Good to know: To claim compensation, denied boarding must be against the will and with the consent of the passenger. The prerequisite is that the passengers checked in on time, all booking documents were available, and the passengers did not pose any safety or health risks to themselves or other travellers.

Voluntary vs Involuntary Denied Boarding: The Difference Explained

Voluntary denied boarding: If you volunteer to be bumped, you legally agree to give up your seat (often in exchange for vouchers or benefits). In this case, statutory compensation usually does not apply and you cannot make a claim. However, if you volunteer to surrender your reservation, you are still entitled to an alternative flight or a refund within 7 days.

Involuntary denied boarding: If the airline does not find volunteers to give up their flight, they arbitrarily select passengers to be bumped. In this case, passengers that are denied boarding are entitled to compensation according to the EU air passenger rights regulation. Further, these passengers may also be entitled to benefits and to re-routing or reimbursement of the ticket price.

Denied Boarding Reasons – When Can Airlines Refuse Boarding?

Airlines may deny boarding for different reasons, but not all of them entitle you to compensation.

Common Reasons That DO Qualify for Denied Boarding Compensation

• Overbooking (too many passengers, not enough seats)

• Operational decisions by the airline (aircraft change, crew planning issues)

Reasons That Do NOT Qualify for Denied Boarding Compensation

• Missing or invalid travel documents (such as missing passports, visas)

• Health or safety concerns (such as illness or intoxication)

• Security issues (such as disorderly behaviour towards airline staff or other passengers)

• Late check-in

If the airline is responsible for the situation, you are generally entitled to denied boarding compensation.

Denied Boarding Regulations – Your Rights Under EU261

Denied boarding compensation is governed by the EU Regulation 261/2004. The rules apply when:

• Your flight departs from an airport in the EU on any airline, or

• Your flight arrives at an airport in the EU on any airline.

Under these regulations, passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding are entitled to:

• Fixed financial compensation of up to €600

• Immediate care and assistance at the airport

• A choice between a full ticket refund or a rerouting to the final destination

These rights apply regardless of the ticket price or travel class that was originally booked.

How Much Denied Boarding Compensation Can You Get?

The amount of denied boarding compensation will not depend on your actual ticket price but instead depends on the flight distance:

• Short distance flight delays of up to 1500km – You are entitled to compensation of €250*

• Medium distance flight delays – between 1500km and 3500km – You are entitled to compensation of €400*

• Long distance flight delays – over 3500km – You are entitled to compensation of €600*

Good to know: Compensation is paid per passenger, not per booking.

*Minus commission (usually 20 to 30% [if nec. plus attorney’s fee of 14% ] plus VAT) if claimed through our service

Additional Passenger Rights: Care, Refunds & Rerouting

In addition to monetary compensation, airlines must also provide you with additional care at the airport, should they deny you boarding. These include:

Care and Assistance at The Airport

• A reasonable amount of free food, such as snacks and drinks (often provided in the form of vouchers)

• Hotel accommodation nearby (if overnight stay is required)

• Free transport between the airport and hotel (or your home, if you are able to return here)

• Two free communications (calls, emails, messages)

The airline must provide you with these items until it is able to fly you to your destination, no matter how long the delay lasts or what has caused it.

Refund or Alternative Flight

You can choose between:

• A full ticket refund, or

• Rerouting to your final destination at the earliest opportunity, or

• Rerouting at a later date convenient for you

Sometimes, the airline might offer an alternative flight, that may not be suitable to your needs (e.g. long waiting time). In this case, you are not obliged to accept their option and can book a new flight yourself. The cost of the alternative flight can then be charged to the airline later.

How Can I Get a Ticket Reimbursement for Denied Boarding?

To claim denied boarding compensation, you must show that you met your obligations as a passenger and did not give the airline a valid reason to refuse boarding.

This means that you:

• Checked in on time, either online or at the airport

• Had all required travel documents, such as a passport, visa (if needed) and boarding pass

• Arrived at the departure gate in good time (min. 45 minutes before departure)

• Behaved appropriately towards airline staff and other passengers

• Did not pose a safety or health risk

• Were not intoxicated

If you meet these requirements, hold a valid ticket and were still denied boarding without a justified reason, you may be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience and disruption to your journey.

How to Claim Denied Boarding Compensation

Claiming denied boarding compensation does not have to be complicated.

Step 1: Keep Your Documents

Make sure to keep:

• Your boarding pass or booking confirmation

• Any written confirmation from the airline

• Receipts for additional expenses

Step 2: Check Your Eligibility

Eligibility depends on:

• Flight route

• Airline

• Reason for denied boarding

Step 3: Submit Your Claim

You can submit your claim directly to the airline – or let Flightright handle the entire process for you. We deal with the airline, legal correspondence and, if necessary, court proceedings. This way, you can sit back and relax, while we fit for your money!

How Long Are Compensation Claims Valid in The Event of Denied Boarding?

Claims for compensation can still exist years after the actual flight. In the EU air travelers can still claim compensation up for a varied amount of time, depending on the airport of origin. In most EU countries, this timeframe can range from 1 year in Belgium, 3 years in Germany, 6 years in the UK and even 10 years in Sweden.

How can Flightright help you?

If you were bumped off a flight, you could be entitled to up to €600 in compensation (minus commission of 20 to 30% [if nec. plus attorney’s fee of 14% ] plus VAT) if claimed through our service. Check your denied boarding compensation with Flightright now – it only takes a few minutes and there is no financial risk.

As leading experts in the field of air passenger rights in Europe, we are here to help. With over 15 years of experience and a 99% success rate, Flightright helps you enforce your right to compensation.

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