Denied boarding compensation

What “denied boarding” means

The term covers not only overbooking but also other cases where a passenger is refused boarding — for example for the airline’s operational or organisational reasons. The CJEU has confirmed that it includes pre-emptive denial, where the airline tells the passenger in advance that they will not be allowed to board.

If the airline cancels the outbound flight and then refuses to board the passenger on the return flight, this counts as denied boarding and gives the right to compensation. If your flight is delayed and the airline re-routes you to another flight, that is not denied boarding.

Causes

The most common cause is overbooking: the airline sells more tickets than there are seats. If boarding is refused because of an error by ground staff (e.g. when checking documents or a visa), this is also denied boarding and gives the right to compensation.

When no compensation is paid

• required travel documents or visa are missing;
• refusal to undergo security or health checks;
• behaviour that endangers flight safety;
• being late at the gate and other circumstances within the passenger’s control;
• voluntarily giving up your seat.

Compensation amounts

Were you denied boarding?

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