Air travel
Your rights if your flight is overbooked and you are not permitted to board the plane
You have additional rights and options if the airline refuses to give you a seat on the plane, even though you have checked in correctly and arrived for boarding on time. An overview of what you are entitled to if you are denied boarding is presented below.
Your rights depend on whether you voluntarily give up your seat, or are forced to do so.
If you voluntarily give up your seat
If the airline staff ask you to voluntarily give up your seat on a flight, the airline must offer you a choice between:
- A refund of the ticket price and any extras
- Rebooking on the next available flight to the destination
- Rebooking on a later flight and possibly
- An individual compensation agreement.
After reaching an agreement with the airline, you cannot come back to the airline later and claim additional compensation beyond what was agreed.
If you are forced to give up your seat
If you do not voluntarily give up your seat, the airline must offer you the choice between:
- A refund of the ticket price and any extras
- Rebooking on the next available flight to the destination
- Rebooking on a flight to the destination at a later date of your choice, if there are seats available.
The airline must also pay you compensation, depending on how long the flight is:
- Flights of less than 1,500 km: EUR 250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: EUR 400
- Flights within the EU longer than 3,500 km: EUR 400
- Flights over 3,500 km outside the EU: EUR 600.
The airline may reduce your compensation by 50 per cent in some cases, depending on how far you are flying and how fast you will arrive at your destination on an alternative flight.
You are entitled to free food and drink during the waiting period if you are rebooked on the next available flight.
The airline must also pay for a hotel if you have to stay overnight due to the rebooking.
Tips if you are denied boarding on the plane
- Ask for written documentation showing that you have been denied boarding involuntarily
- Ensure you have documentation of any agreement on compensation etc. which you enter into with the airline
- Keep receipts for your expenses
- Find out if your insurance provides cover
- Keep all documents showing that you were denied boarding.
Get assistance with your complaint if you did not get to board the plane
You can lodge a complaint with European Consumer Centre Denmark if it is not possible to find a solution with the airline or tour operator for compensation for denied boarding. European Consumer Centre Denmark’s help is free of charge.