Denied boarding
Denied boarding? Compensation when the airline refuses to board you
If you had a confirmed reservation, arrived at check-in on time and the carrier refused to carry you for reasons other than documents, health, safety or another justified reason, you may have a right to compensation and other passenger protection measures.
Check your situationWhen can denied boarding give a right to compensation?
A common cause of this situation is an overbooked flight, when more reservations are sold than there are seats on the aircraft. In such cases it is assessed whether the passenger had a confirmed reservation, arrived at check-in on time and whether the refusal to carry was based on objective reasons.
- confirmed reservation for the specific flight;
- arrival at check-in on time;
- valid travel documents;
- the reason for refusal given by the carrier.
How is voluntary surrender of a seat different?
When a flight is overbooked, the carrier usually first looks for volunteers willing to give up their seat in exchange for agreed benefits. A voluntary agreement and forced denied boarding are assessed differently, so it is important to record whether you agreed voluntarily and what terms were offered.
What additional rights may be due?
Besides possible standard compensation, a passenger may in certain cases have the right to choose between a ticket refund and an alternative route, as well as receive assistance while waiting. These are separate rights – read more about them in the passenger rights section.
What to keep as evidence
- booking confirmation and boarding pass;
- written explanation or message from the airline;
- information about the alternative flight offered;
- receipts for reasonable additional expenses;
- witness or correspondence evidence if available.
Check whether you may be entitled to compensation
The preliminary assessment is free and does not commit you.
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