Your rights for involuntary denied boarding

If you’re denied boarding, EC 261 empowers you with several rights to compensation and assistance. Remember, keeping clear records and gathering supporting evidence is key to a successful claim. Always retain all relevant documents, ask questions, and seek compensation and assistance as needed.

In unexpected situations like these, understanding your rights helps you make informed decisions and ensures you’re fairly treated under EU regulations.

 

How European Regulation EC261 protects you in case of denied boarding

If an airline prevents you from boarding a flight without a justifiable reason, it’s essential to understand your rights under EC 261, the EU regulation that protects air passengers. Here’s what EC 261 covers:

• All flights departing from the EU, regardless of the airline.
• Flights landing in the EU when operated by an EU-based airline.
• Flights from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and EU territories, such as Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and French Guiana.

Below is a quick guide on which flights are covered under EC 261:

Steps to take if you’re denied boarding

If you find yourself denied boarding without valid reason, follow these steps to protect your rights:

DECLINE VOUCHERS Don’t accept vouchers, as doing so may waive further compensation.

KEEP DOCUMENTS
Retain your boarding pass, ticket, and booking reference.

REQUEST AN EXPLANATION
Politely ask the airline staff to explain why you were denied boarding, and make a note of this for your records.

REQUEST RE-ROUTING OR A REFUND
You’re entitled to an alternative flight or a full refund, including a return flight if needed.

ASK ABOUT COMPENSATION
EU law requires airlines to compensate you immediately in most cases.

REQUEST ASSISTANCE
Ask for meals and refreshments if the delay is prolonged, as the airline must provide them under EU law.

REQUEST OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION
If needed, the airline should cover hotel costs, including transport to and from the airport.

KEEP RECEIPTS FOR EXTRA COSTS
Retain receipts for additional costs like meals or transport due to the disruption.

 

Criteria for denied boarding compensation eligibility

To be eligible for compensation for denied boarding, certain conditions must be met:

• You were denied boarding because the airline overbooked the flight or replaced it with a smaller aircraft.
• You did not willingly give up your seat in exchange for vouchers, air miles, or other incentives offered by the airline.
• The denial wasn’t due to any action on your part, such as arriving late, missing required travel documents, or posing a security or health risk.
  

Compensation applies only to passengers who are denied boarding due to overbooking or aircraft changes. If you voluntarily surrendered your seat, lacked travel documents, or posed a risk, the airline is not required to compensate you.

If you voluntarily surrendered your seat, lacked travel documents, or posed a risk, the airline is not required to compensate you.

Gathering evidence for your denied boarding claim

To support your claim and strengthen the case, collect these essential details:

Retain all booking and flight documents, including alternate tickets if provided.
Note conversations with airline staff and keep written communication where possible.
Record the exact time you arrived at check-in.
Take photos of departure boards and retain any texts or emails from the airline confirming the delay.

Denied boarding compensation under EC 261

Under EC 261, the compensation amount for boarding denials is based on flight distance and whether the flight is within or outside the EU:

If your flight is covered by EC 261, the airline is obliged to pay you compensation immediately. If this wasn’t provided at the airport, you can still submit a claim later under EC 261.

Claiming compensation with AirClaimExperts

Making a denied boarding claim with AirClaimExperts is straightforward and hassle-free. As a dedicated claim management service, we work within the airline industry to secure your compensation. Simply provide us with basic details about your flight, and we’ll handle all communication with the airline to ensure you receive the compensation owed to you under EC 261.