What to Do if You’re Denied Boarding & How Much Compensation You Can Claim

If the airline doesn’t let you board your flight, even when you haven’t done anything wrong, you are entitled to receive a denied boarding compensation. AirHelp will help you know what to do next.

What are your rights in case of denied boarding?

• Financial compensation: Between £220 and £520, depending on the flight distance.

• Immediate assistance: Meals, drinks, accommodation (if necessary), and access to communications.

• Refund or alternative flight: You can choose between a full ticket refund or alternative transportation to your destination.

Denied boarding occurs when passengers denied boarding by an airline are not allowed to fly, even though they have a valid ticket, checked in on time, and meet all travel requirements. For such cases to qualify as denied boarding, the airline must lack a justifiable reason for its actions. Examples include:

• Overbooking: More passengers than available seats.

• Passengers being rebooked on another flight against their will.

• The airline refusing boarding even though the flight is operational.

To qualify for denied boarding compensation, passengers must:

• Arrive at the gate on time.

• Possess all required booking and travel documents.

• Pose no safety, health, or behavioral risks.

Types of denied boarding

• Voluntary denied boarding: In cases of voluntary denied boarding, the airline seeks passengers willing to give up their seats in exchange for benefits such as vouchers, flight credits, or upgrades. If passengers agree, they forfeit the right to denied boarding compensation under EU261 denied boarding or other applicable laws.

• Involuntary denied boarding: When no volunteers step forward, the airline may unilaterally select passengers to deny boarding. This is known as involuntary denied boarding, and affected passengers are entitled to:

  • Compensation for involuntary denied boarding under UK/EU261 or the Montreal Convention denied boarding provisions.

  • Reimbursement of the ticket price or re-routing to their destination.

  • Additional benefits such as meals, refreshments, and accommodations during delays.

If you were denied boarding through no fault of your own, you might be entitled to flight denied boarding compensation of up to £520 under various legal frameworks, including EU261 and the Montreal Convention. Understanding your rights and the airline’s obligations is crucial to securing the compensation you deserve.

When can you claim compensation for denied boarding?

Denied boarding compensation applies if you were involuntarily denied boarding despite meeting the following conditions:

• You checked in on time, either online or at the airport.

• You had all necessary travel documents (passport, visa, boarding pass).

• You arrived at the gate on time and complied with airline protocols.

• Your behavior was appropriate and non-disruptive.

• You posed no safety or health risks to others.

If you meet these criteria, the airline cannot refuse you boarding without offering compensation for involuntary denied boarding and additional support.

UK261 and denied boarding regulations in the UK

Under UK261 denied boarding regulations, airlines must provide:

• Compensation of up to £520.

• An alternative flight to your destination.

• Care and assistance, including meals, refreshments, and accommodations if needed.

• A refund within seven days if you choose not to travel.

Airlines must also inform you of your rights at the time of denial. These regulations apply to:

• Flights departing from the UK or EU, regardless of the airline.

• Flights arriving in the UK or EU, provided the airline is UK or EU-based.

Compensation eligibility chart for UK261:

The amount of compensation for involuntary denied boarding depends on the flight distance and the length of your delay.

Care and assistance after being denied boarding

Airlines must provide care and assistance under EU261 regulations, including:

• Meals and refreshments proportional to your waiting time.

• Two free calls, emails, or faxes.

• Accommodation and transport if an overnight stay is necessary.

What happens if you voluntarily give up your seat?

If you choose to relinquish your seat voluntarily, you waive your right to compensation for denied boarding. However, the airline may offer incentives such as vouchers or miles.

Airlines covered under denied boarding regulations in the UK

You can claim compensation from all UK-based airlines, including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Wizz Air, and Virgin Atlantic, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

Should you accept vouchers instead of compensation?

If you were involuntarily denied boarding, avoid accepting vouchers or air miles as they are typically of lower value than the denied boarding compensation you are legally entitled to. Understanding denied boarding regulations UK, EU261 denied boarding, and your rights under international conventions ensures you can claim the maximum compensation you deserve.

What to do when you are denied boarding to a EU flight?

Here some hints to have a denied boarding compensation:

1) Do not volunteer to give up your seat in exchange for vouchers or perks.

If you do, you could be giving up your right to any additional compensation. Of course, if the airline makes a compelling enough offer, you may prefer to take it. The final decision is up to you.

2) Hold onto your boarding pass and any other travel documents.

If you don’t have your boarding pass, you can use any flight document with a booking reference number. This number is assigned to your flight reservation by the airline and is a six-digit code, which may include both letters and numbers.

3) Ask why you’re being denied boarding.

The most common reason is being “bumped” due to an overbooked flight, but there are other reasons you may be denied boarding, as well. This information is important down the line if you decide to file a claim.

4) Request an alternate flight to your destination.

Or, if you prefer, you can request a refund of your fare and a return flight to your original point of departure, if necessary.

5) Request compensation for your boarding denial.

Provided you’re eligible, the airline should pay you immediately once you’ve been denied boarding for your flight. That’s in addition to offering you the re-routing or refund mentioned above.

6) Ask the airline to cover your meals and refreshments.

If you are forced to wait at the airport longer than planned, the airline is supposed to provide food and drinks to keep you comfortable. It’s not just good hospitality, in some cases it’s a requirement.

7) Get the airline to provide you with a hotel room.

If you’re being grounded overnight while waiting for an alternate flight to your destination, the airline should cover any reasonable costs for accommodations as well as transportation to and from the airport, if necessary.

8) Keep your receipts if your boarding denial ends up costing you extra money.

Whether it’s missing out on a pre-paid reservation, hotel, rental car, or other unexpected costs, passengers on international flights—even within the EU—may be able to recover expenses caused by travel disruptions.

9) See if your boarding denial is eligible for compensation.

While there are many reasons passengers may be denied boarding, not all situations qualify for denied boarding compensation. Here’s a detailed breakdown of common scenarios, their eligibility for compensation, and the responsibilities of airlines under UK261 denied boarding and denied boarding regulations UK.

• Documentation issues – Not eligible for compensation

Passengers denied boarding due to missing or incorrect travel documentation are not eligible for compensation. This includes: Expired or invalid passports (many countries require at least six months of validity). Missing or incorrect visas (e.g., mismatched names or dates). Mismatched ticket and identification details. Airlines are not liable for these cases, so ensure your documents are accurate and up-to-date before heading to the airport.

• Safety and security concerns – Not eligible for compensation

Airlines may deny boarding if passengers pose a safety or security risk. Reasons include: Being on a no-fly or watchlist. Possessing prohibited items like firearms or explosives. Displaying threatening, aggressive, or suspicious behavior. Such situations are considered extraordinary and exempt from airline denied boarding compensation.

• Health issues – Not eligible for compensation

Health-related denial of boarding typically involves: Visible symptoms of highly contagious diseases (e.g., Tuberculosis, Measles). Pregnancy beyond the airline’s permitted travel window without proper medical clearance. These cases fall under extraordinary circumstances, making passengers ineligible for compensation for involuntary denied boarding. However, if an airline fails to communicate its health or pregnancy policies clearly, limited compensation may apply in certain jurisdictions.

• Restrictions and travel bans – Not eligible for compensation

If national or international travel bans prevent you from boarding due to nationality restrictions or border closures, you will not qualify for flight denied boarding compensation, as airlines cannot control such situations.

• Behavioral concerns – Not eligible for compensation

Passengers exhibiting unruly or unsafe behavior, such as intoxication, aggression, or refusal to follow crew instructions, will be denied boarding for safety reasons. Compensation is not available in these cases.

• Weight and balance issues – Possibly eligible

On smaller aircraft or certain routes, passengers may be denied boarding to maintain weight and balance. Compensation eligibility depends on the cause: Eligible: Poor planning by the airline. Not Eligible: Issues caused by weather or other uncontrollable events. If in doubt, review your case details or check with the airline.

• Aircraft downgrades – Possibly eligible

If your flight is downsized to a smaller aircraft, resulting in fewer available seats, you may be entitled to airline denied boarding compensation, provided the airline could have prevented or mitigated the issue.

• Crew shortages – Eligible for compensation

Passengers denied boarding due to insufficient crew are entitled to compensation for involuntary denied boarding. Staffing shortages are within the airline’s control and are considered preventable.

• Overbooking – Eligible for compensation

Overbooking is the most common cause of involuntary denied boarding.

Airlines frequently oversell flights to account for no-shows, but when all passengers arrive, some are denied boarding due to a lack of seats. If this happens, you are eligible for denied boarding compensation under UK261 denied boarding regulations UK.