Denied at the gate?
Direct €250 to €600.
In the case of overbooking or involuntary denied boarding, you are immediately entitled - even if you accepted a travel voucher. The fixed-rate compensation still stands.
What should the airline have done - and what do you do?
- The airline must first openly ask for volunteers to give up their seat in return for compensation.
- Only if there are insufficient volunteers may the airline involuntarily deny boarding - and compensation is then immediately due.
- You are immediately given the choice: a full refund, a replacement flight as soon as possible, or a later date of your choice.
- On top of that: the right to care (food, hotel, transport) for as long as you have not departed.
What many passengers do not know: a voucher or upgrade offered does not automatically replace your right to fixed-rate compensation. Unless you explicitly and voluntarily agree to waive EU261.
Frequently asked questions
What is denied boarding?
When the airline refuses to let you board despite having checked in validly and being at the gate - usually due to overbooking, but also for operational decisions or safety considerations. Under EU261 you are immediately entitled to compensation.
How much compensation for overbooking?
Same as for cancellation: €250 (up to 1500 km), €400 (1500-3500 km), €600 (above 3500 km). The airline must first ask for volunteers to give up their seat for compensation; only then may involuntary refusal occur.
I accepted compensation at the desk - can I still claim?
Accepted voluntary bonus? Then your right to fixed EU261 compensation usually lapses. In case of INVOLUNTARY refusal (simply denied), the full right remains - even if you later receive a travel voucher.
Do I also get hotel and food?
Yes, the right to care (Article 9 EU261) applies fully: food, drink, communication, and for overnight stays hotel + transport. Independent of the compensation.
My passport/visa was not in order - am I entitled?
No. If the denied boarding is due to insufficient travel documents on your part, the right to compensation lapses. In borderline cases (airline staff unfamiliar with visa rules) this may differ.
What if the airline simply puts me on a later flight?
A rebooking is not the same as cancelling the claim. If you were refused against your will, you are entitled to fixed compensation + care provisions. The rebooking only prevents further damage - not the entitlement to compensation.
How do I prove I was denied boarding?
Boarding pass + check-in confirmation + photo of the gate announcement are sufficient. We request objective flight data from Aerodatabox to confirm in advance that you were booked on that specific flight.
We claim what they refused.
Provide the flight number and date. We do the rest - no upfront cost, just 25% on success.
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