Denied boarding is when a passenger with a valid ticket can't be seated on a flight, usually because of overbooking — selling more tickets than there are seats. It's rare, but it happens, and the good news is that on European flights you have clear rights and are owed €250-600 in compensation. This guide explains exactly what to do.
🤔 Why overbooking happens
Airlines often sell slightly more tickets than seats, because statistically a few passengers don't show up on every flight. When everyone does turn up, there aren't enough seats and someone has to be left behind.
Denied boarding comes in two forms: voluntary (the airline looks for a volunteer to wait for a later flight in exchange for a reward) and involuntary (the airline chooses who stays). You have rights in both cases.
🙋 Volunteer or involuntary
If the airline asks for volunteers, it wants to know if you'll wait for the next flight. Before you agree, always clarify: what reward (cash, voucher) is offered, when the next confirmed flight is, and whether meals and a hotel are covered. Cash usually beats a voucher.
If no volunteer steps forward and the airline bumps you involuntarily — while you followed every rule, checking in on time and reaching the gate — then you're owed full compensation. Being on time is critical: do online check-in and get to the gate early, see the boarding process.
You're not owed compensation if you were late for check-in or at the gate. So always respect the boarding times — that's the main condition protecting you.
💶 How much compensation (EU261)
The EU regulation EU261 applies to all flights departing an EU airport and to flights into Europe on a European airline. For involuntary denied boarding, compensation depends on distance:
- Flight up to 1500 km: €250
- 1500-3500 km (or intra-EU over 1500 km): €400
- Over 3500 km: €600
- The amount can be cut by 50% if the airline quickly reroutes you with only a short delay
- Compensation is on top of your ticket cost — it's a penalty, not a refund of the fare
🛡️ Other rights — care and re-routing
Beyond cash compensation, the airline must let you choose either a full refund of the ticket or re-routing on the earliest flight to your destination. While you wait you're owed care — meals, drinks, and a hotel plus transfer if needed.
These rights mirror the rules for a cancelled flight and delay compensation. If you still arrive late at your destination, the missed flight guide is useful too.
📝 How to claim compensation
- At the gate, ask the airline for written confirmation of the denied boarding
- Keep your boarding pass, ticket and every receipt (meals, taxi, hotel)
- Photograph the information screen showing the flight status
- Send your claim through the airline's website — quote the flight number and date
- If the airline refuses, contact your country's civil aviation authority or a specialist claims service
- Plan your next flight and dates with the Travel365 price calendar
The deadline to claim varies by country, but it's often several years — so you can even claim on an old flight if you've kept the documents.
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