Denied Boarding EU261: Your Rights & Compensation

What is 'denied boarding' under EU261?

EU261 Article 2(j) defines denied boarding as a refusal to carry a passenger on a flight despite having a confirmed reservation, checking in on time, and presenting at the gate — unless the passenger voluntarily gave up their seat in exchange for benefits. The most common cause is overbooking (airlines selling more tickets than seats available), though denied boarding can also occur due to operational reasons, security concerns, or documentation issues.

How much compensation for being bumped off a flight?

Denied boarding triggers immediate EU261 compensation: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. Compensation is reduced by 50% if the airline offers re-routing and you arrive within 1 hour (short-haul), 2 hours (medium-haul), or 3 hours (long-haul) of the original arrival time. Unlike delay claims, denied boarding compensation is payable immediately at the airport — you do not need to wait until after your journey.

The airline asked for volunteers to give up their seat — what should I know before agreeing?

Before agreeing to voluntarily give up your seat, establish exactly what the airline is offering: (1) What is the compensation amount or value of the voucher? (2) What flight will you be re-booked on and what is the arrival time? (3) Will the airline provide hotel accommodation if you must wait overnight? (4) Are you signing away any legal rights? EU261 allows airlines to seek volunteers before involuntarily bumping — but you have the right to negotiate. Do not accept a small voucher if the cash compensation value would be €250–€600.

I was involuntarily denied boarding — what are my immediate rights at the airport?

Immediately upon involuntary denial of boarding, you are entitled to: (1) Written notice stating your right to compensation and the relevant amounts; (2) Immediate choice of: full ticket refund payable within 7 days, OR re-routing to your destination at the earliest opportunity, OR re-routing at a later date at your convenience; (3) Right to care: meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation if overnight stay is required, and transport to/from hotel; (4) Compensation: €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance. Request all of these at the gate/check-in desk.

The airline denied me boarding due to a visa or documentation issue — can I still claim?

Possibly not. EU261 Article 2(j) excludes from 'denied boarding' cases where there are 'reasonable grounds' for denial — including security concerns, health reasons, or inability to present valid travel documents. If you genuinely lacked the required documents for your destination, the airline may lawfully deny boarding without owing EU261 compensation. However, if the denial was due to an airline error (e.g. issuing the wrong ticket, incorrect passport data on booking), you may still have a claim for the direct loss caused by their error.