Denied boarding

Check your rights in the event of denied boarding

Denied boarding is the third most common airline irregularity. You may be entitled to €600 compensation if the airline has taken your seat on the plane without your consent. The amount of compensation is determined by the length of the flight and the length of the delay before arriving at the destination airport.

In case of agreement, the airline may offer you alternative ways of refund. If you agree to the alternative flight, you lose your right to compensation.

Check which conditions must be met in order to be entitled to compensation in case of denied boarding.

Conditions for entitlement

The passenger is entitled to compensation due to denied boarding under the following conditions:

 

  1. The passenger has not given up their seat voluntarily.
    1. If the passenger accepted compensation in the form of vouchers or air miles in exchange for the seat from the airline, they are not entitled to compensation.
  2. The flight took place from or to a European Union country with a European carrier.
    1. The European carrier is an airline based in the European Union.
  3. The denied boarding was the result of a fault committed by the airline.
    1. Only passengers whose seats have been taken without their consent are entitled to compensation.
  1. No more than 3 years have passed since the respective flight.  
    • The difference between the claim submitted and the flight date shall be taken into account.
 1 year   Belgium, Poland
 2 years   Slovenia, Slovakia, Iceland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Latvia
 26 months   Italy
 3 years   Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia
 3 years   Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden
 5 years   France, Greece, Hungary, Spain
 6 years   United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus
 10 years   Luxemburg
 No Limit   Malta

 

If the above conditions are met, the passenger is entitled to:

  1. Compensation from €250 to €600
    • Compensation is calculated based on the duration of the flight delay and the flight distance.
        Distance:   Value:
        Up to 1,500km   €250
        EU flights longer than 3,500km   €400
        Between 1,500km and 3,500km   €400
        Flights outside the EU longer than 3,500km (the delay must be over 4 hours)   €600

       

  2. Alternative transportation to the final destination
    • Alternative transport includes a flight to a nearby airport, as well as to the destination airport, if necessary.
  3. Refreshments and drinks
    • Depending on the time of waiting for an alternative flight, the passenger is entitled to a meal. If the alternative flight is scheduled at midday, the passenger is entitled to lunch, otherwise a light meal. If the airline fails to provide this service to the passenger, the passenger can claim a refund by submitting an invoice.
  4. Two phone calls
    • In the event of denied boarding, the passenger is entitled to two phone calls, e-mails or faxes.
  5. Accommodation
    • If the passenger has to wait for an alternate flight the next day due to denied boarding, the passenger is entitled to free accommodation.

 

All the rights mentioned above must be provided by the airline during the trip, with the exception of compensation. We can help you receive compensation in a very simple way. Fill out the form below and assert your right today.

Claim compensation