Denied Boarding Compensation EU: Your Rights When You're Bumped from a Flight

You arrived on time, checked in properly, showed up at the gate — and the airline told you there's no seat. The flight is overbooked, and you've been denied boarding. It's infuriating, but here's the silver lining: denied boarding triggers the strongest compensation rights under EU Regulation EC 261/2004.

Unlike delays and cancellations, where airlines can hide behind "extraordinary circumstances," denied boarding due to overbooking almost always results in mandatory compensation. Here's everything you need to know about your overbooked flight rights.

Why Do Airlines Overbook?

Airlines routinely sell more tickets than there are seats on the plane. Why? Because statistically, a percentage of booked passengers don't show up — they miss flights, cancel last minute, or change plans. By overbooking, airlines fill seats that would otherwise fly empty.

It's a calculated gamble. Most of the time it works fine. But when everyone actually shows up, someone has to be left behind. That's where denied boarding happens.

Overbooking is legal in the EU. However, when it results in a passenger being involuntarily denied boarding, the airline must pay compensation — no excuses.

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Denied Boarding

EC 261 distinguishes between two scenarios:

Voluntary: The Airline Asks for Volunteers

When a flight is overbooked, airlines first ask for volunteers willing to give up their seat in exchange for benefits — typically vouchers, cash, upgrades on a later flight, or a combination. If you volunteer, the airline and you negotiate the terms. There's no fixed amount; it's whatever you agree to.

Tips if you're considering volunteering:

• Ask for cash, not vouchers (vouchers may expire or have restrictions)
• Confirm the exact rebooking details before agreeing
• Ensure the airline provides meals and accommodation if the alternative flight is much later
• You can negotiate — the airline needs your seat, and that gives you leverage

Involuntary: You're Bumped Against Your Will

If not enough people volunteer, the airline selects passengers to bump. If you're involuntarily denied boarding, EC 261 kicks in with mandatory rights — no negotiation needed.

You are entitled to:

1. Compensation (fixed amounts based on distance)
2. Choice of refund or rebooking
3. Care and assistance while you wait

How Much Compensation for Denied Boarding?

The compensation amounts are the same as for cancellations:

| Flight Distance | Compensation | |---|---| | Up to 1,500 km | €250 | | 1,500 – 3,500 km | €400 | | Over 3,500 km | €600 |

The airline can reduce compensation by 50% if they offer an alternative flight that arrives within:

• 2 hours of the original arrival time (for flights up to 1,500 km)
• 3 hours (for 1,500–3,500 km flights)
• 4 hours (for flights over 3,500 km)

Even with the 50% reduction, you're still entitled to €125–€300 per passenger. And if the alternative arrives later than these thresholds, you get the full amount.

When Denied Boarding Is NOT Overbooking

Not every denied boarding is due to overbooking. Airlines can deny boarding for legitimate reasons, and in these cases, compensation may not apply:

• Late arrival at the gate: If you arrived after boarding closed, the airline isn't at fault
• Incorrect travel documents: Missing passport, expired ID, or lack of required visa
• Health or safety concerns: If you're deemed unfit to fly or pose a safety risk
• Disruptive behaviour: Intoxication or threatening conduct
• Failure to comply with airline policies: Dress code violations on some carriers (rare but possible)

If the airline claims one of these reasons but you believe it's actually overbooking, document everything and challenge the decision.

Your Rights at the Airport

When you're denied boarding, the airline must immediately offer:

Choice of Three Options

1. Full refund of your ticket (the unused portion) within 7 days, plus a return flight to your original departure point if you were mid-journey
2. Rebooking on the next available flight to your destination under comparable conditions
3. Rebooking at a later date of your choosing

Care and Assistance

While waiting for your alternative flight:

• Meals and refreshments proportionate to the wait
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary
• Transport between the airport and hotel
• Two phone calls, emails, or faxes

These are immediate obligations. The airline should provide them at the airport — don't let them send you away with nothing.

How to Handle Being Bumped: Step by Step

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assert Your Rights

It's natural to be angry, but staying composed gets better results. Clearly tell the airline staff:

• You are aware of your rights under EC 261/2004
• You want written confirmation that you've been denied boarding and the reason
• You want to know your rebooking options immediately

Step 2: Get Everything in Writing

Ask for a written confirmation that states:

• Your flight was overbooked
• You were involuntarily denied boarding
• The time and reason

This document is your strongest evidence for a compensation claim. If the airline refuses to provide it, note the names and badge numbers of staff you interact with, and take photos of anything relevant (gate information, boarding status screens).

Step 3: Choose Refund or Rebooking

Consider your priorities:

• If you need to reach your destination, take the rebooking on the next available flight
• If the trip is no longer worthwhile (e.g., you'd miss the event you were travelling for), take the refund and a return flight home

Either way, your right to compensation is separate and additional.

Step 4: Claim Your Duty of Care

If you're waiting for a rebooking, insist on meal vouchers, lounge access, or the airline covering reasonable expenses. If they don't provide care, pay yourself and keep all receipts.

Step 5: File Your Compensation Claim

You can file immediately or after completing your journey. Contact the airline in writing (email or their online form) referencing:

• EC 261/2004, Article 4 (denied boarding)
• Your flight details and booking reference
• The compensation amount you're claiming
• Your bank details for payment

The "No Extraordinary Circumstances" Advantage

Here's why denied boarding claims are stronger than delay or cancellation claims: the extraordinary circumstances defence does not apply to overbooking.

When an airline overbooks a flight and bumps passengers, it's a deliberate commercial decision. There's nothing extraordinary about it — the airline chose to sell more tickets than seats. Courts have consistently ruled that airlines cannot use extraordinary circumstances to avoid paying denied boarding compensation.

This means your claim is essentially bulletproof if:

• You had a valid ticket and booking
• You checked in on time
• You arrived at the gate before boarding closed
• You were denied boarding against your will

Who Gets Bumped? How Airlines Choose

Airlines use various criteria to select who gets denied boarding when not enough people volunteer:

• Check-in time: Late check-ins are often bumped first
• Fare class: Passengers on the cheapest tickets may be selected first
• Frequent flyer status: Loyalty programme members are typically protected
• Connection needs: Passengers with tight connections may be prioritised
• Group size: Solo travellers are easier to bump than families

Tip: Check in as early as possible — online check-in opens 24-48 hours before departure for most airlines. Early check-in significantly reduces your chances of being bumped.

Filing Your Denied Boarding Claim

Direct with the Airline

Most airlines have online claims forms. Be clear that you were involuntarily denied boarding (not a volunteer) and cite Article 4 of EC 261/2004.

Through Enforcement Bodies

If the airline doesn't pay within a reasonable timeframe (4-6 weeks):

• File with the NEB in the country of departure
• Contact an ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) body if available

Through a Claims Service

Check your denied boarding claim with FlightOwed →. We handle the entire process, including escalation if the airline refuses to pay. With denied boarding cases, success rates are exceptionally high because the extraordinary circumstances defence doesn't apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be bumped from an EU flight by a non-EU airline?

EC 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports, regardless of the airline's nationality. If you're denied boarding on a flight from an EU airport, you're protected.

What if the airline downgrades me instead of bumping me?

If you're placed in a lower class than you booked (e.g., business to economy), the airline must refund 30-75% of your ticket price depending on the flight distance. This is separate from denied boarding compensation.

Can I claim for both the compensation and my expenses?

Yes. Compensation under EC 261 is separate from reimbursement of expenses. You're entitled to both.

How long do I have to claim?

This varies by country — generally 2-6 years depending on jurisdiction. Don't wait unnecessarily, but don't think you've missed the window for a recent flight.

Don't Accept Less Than You Deserve

Being bumped from a flight is disruptive and stressful. But EU law ensures you don't walk away empty-handed. Denied boarding compensation is one of the clearest and strongest rights under EC 261 — airlines have very limited grounds to refuse payment.

Know your rights, document everything, and file your claim. Check your eligibility now →

For more information, explore our airline-specific guides or visit our FAQ page.