Denied Boarding Compensation

If you were denied boarding your flight although you checked in on time, you might qualify for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. Depending on the flight distance, you could claim denied boarding compensation between €250 to €600 from the airline.

Denied Boarding Compensation: What to Know

Being denied boarding can be a very frustrating experience for any traveler, especially when it means missing a trip or an important event. While this can mess up your plans, you don’t have to accept the inconvenience. If you’re not allowed to board your flight and there’s no valid reason, you can claim compensation under EU law.

Here’s what you need to know about Denied Boarding Compensation:

• Overbooking is a common reason for being denied boarding.
• Airlines must inform passengers about their rights when they cannot board.
• If you’re denied boarding, the airline must offer alternative transportation to reach your destination.
• The compensation you’re eligible for depends on the distance of your flight.
• Passengers can claim up to €600 in compensation, depending on the circumstances.
• In some cases, the amount of compensation may be reduced.
• You have up to 3 years to file a claim for denied boarding.

When you’re denied boarding, no need to worry. You have rights, and compensation is available to help make up for the inconvenience.

Your Rights for Denied Boarding Under EU Regulation 261/2004

If you’re affected by denied boarding, you can claim compensation ranging from €250 to €600 under the EU Passenger Rights Regulation. Along with this compensation, the airline must provide:

• Snacks and Drinks: While you wait at the airport, the airline must provide you with snacks and drinks to keep you comfortable.
• Refund or Replacement Flight: You can either request a full refund for your ticket or ask for a replacement flight, regardless of the price of your original ticket.

The airline also has certain responsibilities to help you continue your journey. You have the right to:

• Return Flight: If you no longer want to continue your journey, the airline must arrange and pay for a return flight to your original departure airport free of charge.
• Alternative Transportation: If you prefer, the airline must offer you a free alternative to reach your destination, such as a flight, bus, train, or taxi.
• Communication: The airline must allow you to make 2 free phone calls, emails, or faxes so you can stay in touch.
• Meals and Refreshments: Based on how long you have to wait at the airport, the airline must provide meals and refreshments to make the wait more manageable.
• Accommodation: If your next flight departs the following day, the airline must arrange for a hotel room and transportation between the airport and hotel at no extra cost to you.

These rights ensure that even if you’re denied boarding, the airline will help you reach your destination and cover all necessary costs.

What Happens When You’re Denied Boarding

When you possess a valid flight reservation and still find yourself prohibited from boarding, you are experiencing ‘denied boarding’. This situation can also be referred to as an involuntary “bumping”.

Whereas, under European Regulation EC 261 of 2004, if you were denied boarding due to overbooking, you may be eligible for denied boarding compensation, reaching up to 600€.

Denied boarding can be either voluntary or involuntary.

1. Voluntary Denied Boarding: Here, passengers willingly forgo their seat on an overbooked flight, typically in return for certain advantages like travel credits, vouchers, or hotel accommodations. By opting into this, passengers relinquish their rights to any compensation.
2. Involuntary Denied Boarding: This occurs when a passenger’s reserved seat is taken away without their consent. If you do not present a safety, security, or health risk and you’ve adhered to check-in timelines, you are due compensation.

Early check-in is one of the surest and easiest methods to avoid being bumped from your flight. Late arrivals at the gate are more susceptible to being bumped.

Voluntary Denied Boarding

• It offers a seat on an overbooked flight in exchange for benefits like airline travel credits, vouchers, and hotel rooms. This choice stems from the airline’s strategy of seeking volunteers willing to give up their seats.
• If you agree to exchange the ticket and trade your flight seat, you will be considered to have voluntarily denied boarding. You won’t be eligible for compensation if you surrender your seat voluntarily.

The airline might offer added incentives, but ultimately, you can accept or decline. Always ensure that the benefits you receive for volunteering exceed what you would be entitled to under EC Regulation 261/2004.

Involuntary Denied Boarding

Involuntary denied boarding occurs when an airline denies you entry onto a flight even with a valid reservation. Such a denial is unexpected and can happen despite you meeting all criteria: having essential travel documentation, a confirmed ticket, timely check-in, and posing no safety, security, or health concerns to the airline.

According to EU Regulation 261/2004, if you face involuntary denied boarding due to an overbooked flight, you’re entitled to specific rights, including:

• Compensation ranges from €250 to €600.
• Refund of your flight ticket or alternate transportation.
• Access to meals, refreshments, and other essential “Right To Care” services.

What to Do if You’re Denied Boarding?

If you’re denied boarding despite checking in on time and having the correct documents, it’s important to take a few steps:

• Stay calm – Try to stay calm and polite. Getting upset could give the airline a reason to deny you compensation.
• Ask for a written explanation – Ask the airline for a clear written reason why you were not allowed to board. This will help you later if you decide to make a claim.
• Keep your receipts – Save any receipts for things like food, drinks, or vouchers given to you by the airline. You may need them for your claim.
• Request snacks and drinks – If you’re stuck at the airport, ask the airline to provide snacks and drinks. They must offer these if you’re delayed.
• Take pictures or videos – If possible, take photos or videos of the situation. This could help back up your claim if needed.
• Make a compensation claim – Once you have all the necessary documents and proof, submit your compensation claim.

These steps help you gather the right paperwork and evidence so you’re prepared and supported throughout this situation.

Can non-EU passengers claim compensation for denied boarding?

According to EU Regulation EC 261, there are specific scenarios under which you’re eligible to claim compensation for involuntary denied boarding:

1. Your departure and arrival were both within the EU (irrespective of the airline)
2. Your flight’s departure was from an EU airport (irrespective of the airline)
3. Your arrival airport was in the EU member states and should have booked with an EU-regulated airline

It’s essential to note that your eligibility for compensation isn’t determined by your citizenship. Whether you reside within the EU or elsewhere, you can claim compensation if your travel scenario fits the above criteria.

Here’s a Quick Overview for Clarity:

How much compensation can you claim for denied boarding?

In the unfortunate event of being involuntarily denied boarding, the compensatory amounts you’re entitled to depend on both the flight distance and the duration of the delay upon reaching your final destination. Here’s a breakdown of the compensation regulations:

1. Short-Haul Flights: For flights covering distances up to 1,500 km, a delay exceeding 2 hours entitles you to a compensation of €250.
2. Medium-Haul Flights:This category includes flights spanning over 1,500 km within the EU and those between 1,500 km to 3,500 km that venture outside the EU. Should you face a delay of 3 hours on these flights, you can claim compensation of €400.
3. Long-Haul Flights: For long-haul journeys beyond 3,500 km that are outside the EU, you’re eligible for compensation up to €600 if your delay exceeds 4 hours.

Understanding your rights and the compensation brackets ensures you’re adequately recompensed for any inconvenience faced.

Reduced Compensation

If the alternative flight’s arrival time is less than 2 hours, the compensation amount may be reduced by 50%.

• If the flight is less than 1,500 km and reaches its final destination up to 2 hours later than the actual arrival time, you could claim €125.
• For flights over 1,500 km within the EU, and all flights between 1,500 km to 3,500 km outside the EU, reaching its final destination up to 3 hours later, you could claim €200.
• And, for flights over 3,500 km and outside the EU, if they reach their final destination up to 4 hours later, you could claim €300.

Here’s a Quick Overview for Clarity:

Additional Entitlements

Beyond compensation, passengers are also entitled to:

• A refund for the full ticket cost or for the unused part of the journey.
• A prompt return flight to the original point of the journey.
• Alternate transportation to the final destination at no added cost.

In instances where the waiting period for the replacement flight goes beyond 2 hours from the scheduled departure, passengers have a right to:

• Complimentary meals and refreshments.
• Two phone calls, faxes, telex messages, or emails.
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary.

Timeframe for EU Compensation Claims for Denied Boarding

Passengers within the EU have a generous timeframe to stake their claims for denied boarding compensation. Countries such as Germany extend this window, allowing air travelers to file their claims as long as three years after the actual flight date.

If you’ve experienced a flight delay or cancellation within these parameters, it’s imperative to diligently evaluate your eligibility for compensation. The potential financial reimbursement could be significant.

How can ClaimFlights help you with compensation?

ClaimFlights stands as the foremost authority in air passenger rights. Our dedicated team ensures that you reap the benefits of EC Regulation 261/2004 without any financial burden on your part. Should your case escalate to court, rest assured – there are no hidden fees or additional charges.

Steps to Secure Your Compensation with ClaimFlights:

• Determine Your Compensation: Utilize our free flight compensation calculator to instantly assess the compensation amount you’re entitled to from airlines.
• Enter Flight Details: Carefully enter your flight information. Pay special attention to return flights to identify any potential issues.
• Delegate the Task: Entrust us with your flight compensation claim. Your part? Simply relax.
• Stay Updated: Our seasoned team manages your claim, providing timely updates on its progress.
• Success Fee: Once your claim triumphs, we deduct our success fee. The remainder is directly transferred to your bank.

Choose ClaimFlights for a streamlined, efficient claims process for delayed flight compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions