Denied Boarding & Overbooking
If you were denied boarding because your flight was overbooked, EU law entitles you to immediate compensation of up to €600 — plus a refund or alternative flight.
Check Your Compensation Free →When does EC 261/2004 apply?
The regulation covers specific disruption types. Knowing the difference between qualifying and non-qualifying events is the first step to a successful claim.
Qualifying events
You are entitled to fixed compensation if any of the following apply:
- ✓Involuntary denied boarding due to overbooking
- ✓Bumped from flight despite having a confirmed reservation and valid boarding pass
- ✓Denied boarding due to operational reasons (aircraft swap to smaller plane)
- ✓Downgraded from business to economy class involuntarily
Extraordinary circumstances
Airlines may be exempt from paying compensation if the disruption was caused by:
- ✗You arrived at the gate after it closed (check-in deadlines apply)
- ✗You lacked valid travel documents (passport, visa)
- ✗You were denied for health, safety, or security reasons
- ✗You voluntarily gave up your seat in exchange for benefits
How much can you claim?
EC 261/2004 sets fixed compensation amounts based on flight distance. There is no discretion — if you qualify, you are owed these amounts by law.
| Flight distance | Minimum delay | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 kme.g. London → Paris | 3 hours+ | €250 |
| 1,500 – 3,500 kme.g. London → Cairo | 3 hours+ | €400 |
| Over 3,500 kme.g. Frankfurt → New York | 3–4 hours | €300 |
| Over 3,500 kme.g. Frankfurt → New York | 4 hours+ | €600Maximum |
How to claim compensation
The process is straightforward. AirHelp handles the legal complexity so you don't have to chase airlines or understand EU law.
Enter your flight number and travel date. EC 261/2004 applies to flights departing from EU airports, or arriving in the EU on an EU-based carrier.
Locate your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any communication from the airline about the disruption. AirHelp will guide you through exactly what's needed.
Submit once through AirHelp's platform. Their legal team handles all correspondence, escalation, and court proceedings — no follow-up needed from you.
Compensation lands directly in your bank account. AirHelp charges a 35% service fee only when your claim succeeds — zero upfront cost.
Frequently asked questions
Everything passengers ask before filing their first claim.
If you missed a connection because your first flight was delayed (same booking), this is NOT denied boarding — it's a delay claim. Denied boarding specifically means the airline refused to let you board a flight you had a valid ticket for.
Not for denied boarding compensation, since you volunteered. However, whatever the airline offered you (cash, vouchers, upgrade) is yours to keep, and they must still rebook you. Make sure the offer is fair before accepting.
The airline must refund 30% of the ticket price for short-haul, 50% for medium-haul, or 75% for long-haul flights. This is a partial refund of the fare difference, paid within 7 days.
Yes. When involuntarily denied boarding, you are entitled to: (1) compensation of €250-€600, (2) choice of refund or rerouting, and (3) right to care (meals, hotel if overnight). All three are separate entitlements.
Very common. Airlines routinely sell more tickets than seats, expecting some no-shows. When everyone shows up, passengers get bumped. EC 261/2004 exists precisely because this practice harms passengers.
No. EC 261/2004 applies to all airlines operating in the EU. Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air — all must pay involuntary denied boarding compensation. There is no exception for low-cost carriers.
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