Airlines routinely sell more seats than the aircraft holds. If you were denied boarding against your will despite a valid ticket, EU law entitles you to immediate compensation — on top of a refund or a new flight.
Denied boarding happens when an airline refuses to let you on a flight you hold a confirmed reservation for — most often because the flight is overbooked. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (Article 4), you are entitled to compensation when this is involuntary and you:
held a confirmed booking on the flight;
checked in on time (or arrived at the gate within the stated deadline);
were not denied boarding for reasons such as missing travel documents, health or security.
Voluntary vs involuntary — this distinction decides everything
When a flight is oversold, the airline must first ask for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for agreed benefits. If not enough people volunteer, it may bump passengers involuntarily.
Situation
What you get
You volunteered to be bumped
The benefits you agreed (vouchers, cash, upgrade) — no statutory compensation
You were bumped against your will
Fixed compensation up to €600 plus care and re-routing or refund
Important: if you accept a voucher "as compensation," you may unknowingly waive your right to the higher statutory amount. Never sign away your claim under pressure at the gate.
How much is denied boarding compensation?
Flight distance
Compensation
Up to 1,500 km
€250
1,500 – 3,500 km
€400
Over 3,500 km
€600
Unlike delay claims, denied boarding compensation is due even if you reach your destination on time via a re-route. The airline may halve the amount only if it re-routes you with a very limited arrival delay (2–4 hours depending on distance).
What else the airline owes you
Beyond the cash compensation, an involuntarily bumped passenger is entitled to a choice and to care:
Choice: either re-routing to your destination at the earliest opportunity, or a full refund of the ticket;
Care: meals and refreshments, two phone calls/emails, and hotel accommodation plus transfers if an overnight stay is required.
Airline tactics — and how to respond
Calling it a "schedule change," not denied boardingIf you were physically prevented from boarding a flight you were booked on, it is denied boarding — regardless of the label the airline uses.Counter: state in writing that you were involuntarily denied boarding under Article 4 of EU 261/2004 and request the fixed compensation.
Offering a voucher "in full settlement"A gate voucher is rarely equal to the statutory amount, and accepting it can close your claim.Counter: decline the voucher and request cash compensation to your bank account within 14 days.
Claiming you checked in lateAirlines sometimes assert you missed the check-in deadline to avoid liability.Counter: keep your boarding pass, check-in confirmation and timestamps as proof you were on time.
How to claim denied boarding compensation
Keep every document: booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any written notice from the airline.
Send a formal written complaint citing Article 4 of EU 261/2004 and the exact amount owed.
Request cash — not a voucher — and set a 14-day deadline for a response.
If the airline refuses, escalate to the National Enforcement Body of the country of departure.
Time limit: claim deadlines depend on the country of departure — typically 2–3 years in the EU and up to 6 years in the UK. The sooner you act, the easier it is to prove what happened at the gate.
Frequently asked questions
Voluntary denied boarding is when you accept the airline's offer to give up your seat in exchange for benefits — you waive your right to fixed compensation in return for whatever you agreed. Involuntary denied boarding is when you are bumped against your will despite having a valid ticket and arriving on time. Only involuntary denied boarding triggers automatic compensation of up to €600 under EU 261/2004.
The same fixed amounts as delays and cancellations apply: €250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, and €600 for longer flights. Unlike delay compensation, denied boarding compensation is due even if the airline re-routes you quickly — though prompt re-routing can reduce the amount by half in some cases.
If you genuinely volunteered and accepted the airline's offer, you receive the agreed benefits rather than statutory compensation. The key is whether you freely agreed. If you were pressured, misinformed about your rights, or simply told you could not board, that is involuntary denied boarding and the full compensation applies.
Yes. Being re-booked does not cancel your right to denied boarding compensation. In addition to the cash payment, the airline must provide care — meals, communication and accommodation if needed — and either re-routing to your destination or a full refund.
Were you bumped from your flight?
Our assistant prepares a formal complaint letter citing Article 4 of EU 261/2004 and the exact amount you are owed. You review it and send it yourself.