You have your boarding pass in hand, ready for vacation or the journey home, only to be told at the gate that you can’t board the plane. In such a case, it’s essential to know your rights, as you may be eligible for up to €600 in denied boarding compensation.
If you’re involuntarily denied boarding and there is no alternative flight option within two hours of the original flight time, you have the right to compensation. Knowing your rights and these essential details is important, as denied boarding is one of the most common situations air passengers face. The compensation amount can vary, reaching up to €600 depending on the flight distance.
There are two types of denied boarding: voluntary and involuntary.
If the airline faces overbooking, passengers may be asked to give up their seat in exchange for certain benefits. These may include travel credits, vouchers, or even hotel accommodations.
The procedure for voluntary denied boarding is quite simple. If you agree to switch your ticket and flight, you are considered to have volunteered for denied boarding. In such cases, it’s important to note that you will not be eligible for financial compensation, as you would be in the case of involuntary denied boarding.
Involuntary denied boarding occurs when you have a valid reservation and meet all necessary travel requirements, yet the airline denies you boarding. This is most often due to overbooking – there are more passengers than available seats on the flight.
Airlines may use this practice to ensure flights are as full as possible, considering there are often cancellations and no-shows. However, if all passengers with valid reservations show up, some may face the unpleasant surprise of denied boarding.
In this situation, you should know that you have rights. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, if you are the victim of involuntary denied boarding, you are entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance. In addition, the airline must offer a refund for your ticket or alternative transportation, along with access to meals, drinks, and other essential services.
Important!
Under EC261/2004, you also have the right to compensation for flight delays, cancellations, and missed connections. [Link to the compensation page for flight delays]
Compensation for denied boarding is regulated under EU Regulation 261/2004 and is calculated based on the flight distance. Accordingly:
For short flights up to 1,500 km, you are entitled to compensation of up to €250.
For medium-distance flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, compensation can reach up to €400.
For long-haul flights over 3,500 km, compensation can reach up to €600.
In addition to compensation for denied boarding, you have other rights. One of these is a full refund for your ticket or the unused portion of your trip. If you are denied boarding, you may request that the airline refunds the ticket price within 7 days. Refunds can be issued via bank transfer, money order, or check. If you’ve only used part of your ticket, you can request a refund for the unused segment.
Besides a refund, you also have the right to a prompt return flight to your original departure point or alternative transportation if the denied boarding nullifies your need to travel to the final destination. The airline must provide you with a return flight or alternative transport as soon as possible.
If the wait time for the replacement flight exceeds 2 hours, you are entitled to meals and drinks. The airline must provide meal and drink vouchers based on the waiting period. Additionally, you are entitled to two free phone calls, faxes, or emails. If an overnight stay is required or the replacement flight is scheduled for the next day, you have the right to hotel accommodation.
The reduced compensation rule allows for a 50% reduction in compensation if the arrival time of the alternative flight is less than 2 hours delayed. So, even if you have to wait, all is not lost.
If your flight distance is less than 1,500 km and arrives at the final destination within 2 hours of the actual arrival time, you may claim compensation of €125.
For flights over 1,500 km within the EU and flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km outside the EU that arrive within 3 hours of the final destination, you are eligible for compensation of €200.
For long-haul flights over 3,500 km outside the EU that arrive within 4 hours of the final destination, you may claim compensation of €300.
Be sure to retain all documents related to your flight, including:
Boarding pass,
Electronic ticket,
Booking confirmation,
Baggage tag.
The airline may request these to validate your compensation claim.
Additionally, if you incurred extra expenses due to denied boarding, keep all receipts and invoices. These may include costs for meals, accommodation, or transport, and they can support your compensation claim.
Important!
Request a denied boarding certificate at the airport! This document is clear proof that you were denied boarding and can be invaluable in the compensation claim process. Ensure that the document states the exact reason for the denied boarding.
To obtain compensation for denied boarding, it’s essential to know the timeframe for filing a claim, as this varies by country.
The right to compensation for denied boarding is guaranteed by EU Regulation 261/2004; however, there are cases in which airlines are not obligated to provide compensation:
If you voluntarily choose to give up your seat for alternative benefits, such as vouchers or frequent flyer points,
If you do not have a valid passport or required visa. In such cases, you would not be eligible to claim compensation for denied boarding from Wizz Air, for example, as you are responsible for ensuring you have all necessary travel documents.
Late check-in or arriving at the boarding gate after the airline's specified time can also result in denied boarding.
If you are deemed a threat to the safety or health of other passengers or the crew.
If you were denied boarding and qualify for compensation, contact AirClaim! With a simple, stress-free process, no upfront cost, and the expertise of professionals, AirClaim is the ideal solution to obtain compensation for denied boarding.
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