Denied boarding

Left at the gate? You have rights

If you were denied boarding at the airport due to overbooking, despite holding a valid ticket and checking in on time, the airline owes you immediate compensation of up to €600.

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What you're owed

Denied boarding due to overbooking happens when an airline sells more tickets than there are seats on the plane. If you met every condition of travel but were still denied boarding, you're entitled to immediate compensation of up to €600.

Unlike delays or cancellations, there is no "extraordinary circumstances" exemption for denied boarding due to overbooking — the airline is directly responsible.

A valid ticket and confirmed booking

You must have had a confirmed booking and a valid ticket for the flight you were denied boarding on.

On-time check-in

You must have checked in and arrived at the gate within the time required by the airline.

Written confirmation from the airline

The airline must provide written confirmation that boarding was denied due to overbooking.

Eligibility criteria

Four conditions that determine whether your case qualifies:

Ticket and check-in

You must have had a valid ticket, a confirmed booking, and have checked in within the required time.

A seat denied against your will

The airline denied you boarding against your will, because the flight was overbooked.

Flight route

The flight must depart from an EU airport, or arrive in the EU and be operated by an EU-licensed airline.

Care and your choice

In addition to financial compensation, you're entitled to food and drinks, plus the choice between re-routing or a full refund.

How much are you owed?

The amount depends on your flight distance, under EU Regulation 261/2004.

Up to 1,500 km

250 €

e.g. Tirana – Rome

1,501–3,500 km

400 €

e.g. Tirana – London

3,501 km or more

600 €

e.g. Rome – New York

How to claim your compensation

Four simple steps to secure the rights you're owed:

01

Check your case

Verify that you had a valid ticket and checked in on time when boarding was denied.

02

Gather your documents

Keep your ticket, boarding pass, and the overbooking confirmation letter from the airline.

03

Submit your claim

Send us your flight details — we contact the airline and handle the entire process on your behalf.

04

Receive your compensation

Once your case is resolved successfully, we transfer your compensation directly to you. No win, no fee.

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Frequently asked questions

What is 'denied boarding' due to overbooking?

It happens when an airline sells more tickets than there are seats on the plane, and you're denied boarding at the airport despite holding a valid ticket and checking in on time.

What documents do I need for my claim?

You'll need your booking confirmation, boarding pass, the overbooking confirmation letter from the airline, and any other correspondence about the incident.

Am I owed compensation immediately?

Yes. There is no 'extraordinary circumstances' exemption for denied boarding due to overbooking — the airline owes you immediate compensation.

What happens if the airline refuses to provide the confirmation letter?

If the airline refuses or delays the paperwork, hand us the case — we contact the airline and pursue the process all the way, with zero financial risk to you.

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