Have you been denied boarding involuntarily?

If it’s due to airline overbooking, you will be compensated.

Overbooking is a common airline practice: carriers often sell more tickets than there are seats, counting on some passengers not showing up. While it helps airlines avoid flying with empty seats, it can leave travelers like you stranded at the gate — and that’s where your rights come in.

If you are denied boarding involuntarily, you can get UK/EU denied boarding compensation from the airline.

UK/EU Denied Boarding Compensation (Also Known as Overbooking Compensation)

In the European Union, if you’re denied boarding against your will due to overbooking, EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles you to flight compensation. Depending on the distance of your flight, you could receive between €250 and €600, in addition to assistance such as meals, refreshments, and alternative transport.

These rights apply to flights departing from any EU airport, or arriving in the EU on an EU-based airline.

For UK flights and airlines, similar rules apply under UK Regulation 261, which mirrors the EU’s version following Brexit. If you’re denied boarding involuntarily due to overbooking on a flight departing from the UK or operated by a UK airline arriving in the UK, you’re entitled to compensation

Denied Boarding Compensation Amount

You can get one of these three amounts: 250, 400, or 600 euros.

The amount of flight compensation depends on the distance of your flight.

The longer the flight, the more you can get.

The amount of the EU flight compensation is not affected by the ticket price, nor by the age of the passenger. If the compensation is due, your child/baby can get it, too. Even if you haven’t booked a separate seat for your baby. The same applies under UK compensation rules, which are nearly identical to the EU’s, with payments made in pounds instead of euros.

Here’s how much you can claim:

• 250 EUR – if the flight distance is less than 1,500 km;
• 400 EUR – if the flight distance is between 1500 and 3,500 km;
• 600 EUR – if the flight distance is more than 3,500 km.

You don’t need travel insurance to claim overbooking compensation.

How People Are Denied Boarding?

If the airline staff realizes that there will not be enough seats for everyone on the plane, they will start looking for a volunteer willing to fly later. The volunteer (perhaps you) is offered immediate compensation and a new flight.

You can agree to be a volunteer, or disagree. It’s up to you.

If you agree (it’s called “voluntary denied boarding”) and accept the offer, then you are not entitled to EU denied boarding compensation. You get only what you agree with the airline for, and nothing else.

If you do not agree, but you are still denied boarding (and asked to fly later), this is called “involuntarily denied boarding”. In this case, you are entitled to compensation of up to 600 euros. The total compensation amount will depend on the distance of your flight.

Even if you are denied boarding involuntarily, the airline has to offer you a new flight or a full refund.

Right to Care From the Airline

You may not only be entitled to compensation — the airline must also provide certain free services while you wait.

If you’re stuck at the airport for at least three hours, you’re entitled to care, which includes meals, refreshments, and access to communication (like phone calls or emails). The airline has a legal duty to look after you. For European/UK airlines, these rights apply to all flights within, from, and to Europe (and the UK). For non-European airlines, the rules apply to flights departing from Europe.

Keep in mind that:

• If you have to wait 3 or more hours, you are entitled to a free meal and internet access or 2 calls. If it is not offered, ask your airline.
• If you have to wait all night or even longer, you are entitled to both food and a free hotel stay + transportation to the hotel and back to the airport. For this, you will have to leave the airport, and you may need a visa for transit.

Read more: Right to Care

How to Claim Denied Boarding Compensation in the EU and UK?

You must request denied boarding compensation.

This is the most important thing to remember. Otherwise, you won’t get it, even if you are entitled to it.

The easiest option is to work with a flight compensation company.

Mostly, you’ll need to fill in and sign one form, and the rest will be done by the compensation claim company. You won’t need to communicate with the airline. When the process is over, your compensation will be transferred to your bank account. Keep in mind, though, that this service is not free. Most companies charge a fee of around 30–35% of the compensation amount.

Another (free) option is to submit a request directly to the airline with details like your flight number, booking reference, and delay duration. Supporting evidence — such as boarding passes or confirmation emails — can strengthen your case. Most airlines offer online forms, or you can contact them by email. If your claim is unfairly denied, you can escalate it to a national enforcement body.

Do you have more questions about UK/EU flight compensation? Ask in the comments.