Denied boarding against your will (EU)
Applies under: eu-261-2004
If you were involuntarily denied boarding on a covered flight, EU 261 entitles you to immediate fixed compensation of EUR 250-600 plus a refund or re-routing and care.
Your rights
Unlike delay compensation, denied-boarding compensation is not reduced by extraordinary circumstances — overbooking is the airline's risk. You are owed the fixed Article 7 amount by distance band, plus a choice of refund or re-routing and care while you wait. The airline must first ask for volunteers before bumping anyone involuntarily.
When this applies
Flight departs the EU/EEA, or arrives there on an EU-licensed carrier; you had a confirmed booking and checked in on time, and were refused boarding for reasons not related to your own conduct or documents.
Step by step
- Confirm you did not volunteerCompensation is for involuntary denied boarding. If you accepted benefits to give up your seat, different terms apply.
- Claim the fixed compensation and your choice of refund or re-routingWrite to the operating carrier citing Articles 4, 7 and 8 of EU 261.
Common airline pushback
“The flight was overbooked, which is an extraordinary circumstance.”
Overbooking is a commercial decision, not an extraordinary circumstance; denied-boarding compensation under Article 7 is always due.
If the airline refuses
- The airline directly
- National regulator
- Small-claims court
Typical outcomes
| Compensation range | 250–600 EUR |
|---|---|
| Success rate | 78% |
| Time to resolution | median 30 days · 90th pct 120 days |