If you have been denied boarding your flight through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to flight compensation of up to £520.
When Can I Claim Compensation If I’m Denied Boarding A Flight?
EU261 provides legal rights for passengers to claim compensation if they were denied boarding their originally scheduled flight.
To claim compensation, you must show that you were a responsible passenger and have not given the airline any reason not to allow you to board the plane. Your responsibilities as a passenger include:
If you have fulfilled these responsibilities, you have a valid ticket, and there is no justifiable reason for not being allowed to board, you can claim compensation for the inconvenience and the delay to your travel.
Why Choose Bott and Co?
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A History Of Success
We have claimed over £80m in flight compensation from the airlines.
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Expert Legal Advice
Recognised not just within our industry but also by Martin Lewis as “pioneers” in our field.
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On Your Side
Completely independent, our only focus is helping you claim for what you are legally entitled to.
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Fully Regulated
We are members of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Your claim is in safe hands.
How To Claim Compensation For Denied Boarding
Just add your flight details to our flight delay compensation calculator, and we will be able to start the claim process for you.
What Are The EU Regulations For Denied Boarding A Flight?
Under EUReg 261, the airline has a number of legal responsibilities to passengers who are denied boarding. These include:
What Flights Under EU Regulation 261 Are Covered For Denied Boarding Compensation?
Under EUReg 261, the following flights are eligible if you were denied boarding.
Flights Covered By EU261
| Departing From | Arriving To | Can I Claim? |
|---|---|---|
| Airport inside UK/ EU | Airport inside UK/EU |
Yes (Claimable for any airline) |
| Airport inside UK/ EU | Airport outside UK/EU |
Yes (Claimable for any airline) |
| Airport outside UK/EU | Airport inside UK/EU |
Yes (If on an EU based airline) |
| Airport outside UK/EU | Airport outside UK/EU |
No |
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How Much Compensation Can I Claim For Denied Boarding?
The amount of compensation you can claim will depend on the length of your delay and the distance of the flight.
The maximum amount of compensation you can claim if you were denied boarding is £520 per passenger. The compensation amounts are fixed and unrelated to the ticket cost or the class of the fare you booked.
Our table below shows how much compensation you could claim if you have been denied boarding.
EU261 Denied Boarding Compensation Amounts in UK Pounds
| Flight Distance | Less than 3 hours | 3 hours or more | More than 4 hours | Never arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All flights 1,500km or less |
£0 |
£220 |
£220 |
£220 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500km |
£0 |
£350 |
£350 |
£350 |
| Non-internal EU flights between 1,500km and 3,500km |
£0 |
£350 |
£350 |
£350 |
| Internal EU flights over 3,500km |
£0 |
£260 |
£520 |
£520 |
What Else Should The Airline Provide To Passengers After Denying Boarding?
The airline is legally responsible under EU Reg261 to provide “care and assistance” to passengers in the event they are denied boarding.
Care and assistance include:
Care and Assistance – Your Rights When Your Flight Is Delayed
| Flight Distance | Length of Delay |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500km |
After 2 hours |
| 1,500km-3,500km |
After 3 hours |
| Over 1,500km and between two EU States |
After 3 hour |
| Over 3,500km |
After 4 hours |
Recent Successful Flight Compensation Claims
Bott and Co help couple receive £350 each in compensation after arriving on holiday to Corfu late.
We secured compensation for family of 3 who missed a day of their holiday due to flight cancellation.
Family receive £350 compensation each after Jet2 flight to Manchester from Antalya was delayed for 22.5 hours.
Family instruct Bott and Co after missing connecting flight to London due to BA departure delay at JFK Airport.
We helped family of 4 flying from Lithuania to London receive £350 each for flight cancellation.
Family of 4 returning from their holiday in Turkey arrive home 2 days late following flight cancellation.
Passengers receive £350 each after their flight to Tunisia was cancelled and rescheduled for 24 hours later.
Family going to Miami with American Airlines were rerouted to New York AND Dallas before arriving in California.
Family of 4's delay at Birmingham Airport led to missed connection in Dubai and new flight given 3 days later.
Which UK Airlines Can I Claim Compensation From If I’m Denied Boarding?
If eligible, you may be able to claim compensation if you were involuntarily denied boarding by any UK airline, as these airlines are responsible for the laws stated in EU regulation 261. This includes the most popular UK airlines, such as British Airways, easyJet, TUI, Jet2, Wizz Air, and Virgin Atlantic.
Can I Get A Refund From The Airline If I Am Denied Boarding?
Yes, you can choose to accept a full refund rather than an alternative flight. More often than not, this is agreed upon at the gate, and once the refund is made, the airline is no longer responsible for arranging alternative flights or for paying compensation. The airline is legally responsible for paying the refund within seven days of the day of departure.
Can I Claim Compensation For Denied Boarding If I Voluntarily Gave Up My Seat?
No, compensation would not be due if you voluntarily gave up your seat and chose not to fly.
The vast majority of cases of denied boarding are due to airlines overbooking flights, meaning there are more passengers than seats available.
Usually, airlines will make an announcement at the gate that the flight is overbooked and ask if any passengers would like to give up their seats voluntarily. If you voluntarily give up your seat, you are doing so of your own free will and, therefore, will not be entitled to compensation.
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Should I Accept Vouchers As Compensation For Denied Boarding?
It is common for airlines to provide incentives such as vouchers or air miles for passengers who have voluntarily given up their seats.
However, if you have been denied boarding involuntarily, we advise you not to accept vouchers from the airline instead of compensation as usually, the vouchers will be of less value than the compensation you may be able to claim, and you may relinquish your legal rights by accepting them.
How Long After My Flight Can I Claim Compensation For Denied Boarding?
You have up to six years following the original departure date to start your claim.
Meet Our Solicitors
Coby Benson
A member of The Law Society and a SRA Registered Solicitor, Coby has been instrumental in establishing flight delay compensation law in the UK, including playing a significant part in the landmark cases of Huzar v Jet2 and Dawson v Thomson at The Supreme Court.
Coby is regularly asked for comment in the national media, regularly featuring in The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian and The Independent as well as appearing on BBC Television, Sky News, ITV and BBC Radio 4 and Radio Five Live.
