No traveler looks forward to being denied boarding, but what do you do when you find yourself in this situation? While this can be a frustrating experience and can also disrupt your plans, you need to know your rights, including the right to be denied boarding compensation.
In this article, we will highlight everything you need to know about denied boarding and help you better understand your rights in this situation.
What is Denied Boarding?
Denied boarding occurs when an airline refuses to let you board your flight. This is despite having a confirmed reservation, arriving on time for check-in, and meeting all travel requirements. It’s important to also note that some instances may be unavoidable due to operational issues, but cases like overbooking can be preventable.
It’s possible that the airline overbooked the flight, with the assumption that some passengers will not show up. However, when the reverse is the case, some passengers may have to be denied boarding.
Understanding Your Rights
Your rights in cases of denied boarding are protected under the EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261). This applies to flights that depart from an EU airport or arrive in the EU on an EU-based carrier. In this case, you’re only entitled to denied boarding compensation if the denial is due to overbooking, and you meet all check-in and boarding requirements. In addition, you do not voluntarily give up your seat in exchange for benefits offered by the airline.
However, if the reason for being denied board is due to reasons beyond the airline’s control, such as operational issues or security risks, you won’t be entitled to any compensation.
Compensation Amounts Under EU261
The compensation you receive depends on the flight distance and the delay caused:
- €250: For flights up to 1,500 km
- €400: For flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- €600: For flights over 3,500 km
In addition to monetary compensation, airlines must provide assistance, including meals, refreshments, and accommodation as necessary.
Steps to Claim Denied Boarding Compensation
If you’ve been denied boarding, here’s how you can claim compensation:
- Confirm Eligibility: Ensure your situation qualifies under the relevant regulations. Check the airline’s website for more information.
- Contact the Airline: Speak to the airline staff immediately to understand your rights and compensation options. Also, ask them for written documentation on the reason for the denied boarding.Â
- Keep Documentation: Save your boarding pass, ticket, and proof of denial from the airline, as you’ll need them to file compensation.
- Submit a Claim: Save yourself the stress of going back and forth with airlines and get Flightright to do that for you, including all supporting documents and details about your flight.
Bottom Line
Denied boarding can be inconvenient, especially when you already have your itinerary planned out, but you can get compensated for the trouble caused. This article will guide you on knowing the basics of your rights under the EU261 law, and you can use that to your advantage.