Educational passenger-rights overview only — not legal advice. Compensation bands cited below come from published regulation text; eligibility and amounts depend on your itinerary, operating carrier and the cause of disruption. Verify current official figures before you claim.
EU261 and UK261 denied boarding compensation — when overbooking triggers EUR 250–600 or £220–520 bands, care duties and how EU rules differ from US DOT bump.
Key takeaways
- When you are denied boarding against your will on a qualifying EU261 or UK261 flight — after the airline asked for volunteers — standardised compensation follows…
- EU261 requires the airline to call for volunteers first. If too few volunteer, involuntary denied boarding passengers are entitled to compensation, a choice…
- Article 7 sets EUR 250 (up to 1,500 km), EUR 400 (1,500–3,500 km and intra-EU over 1,500 km) and EUR 600 (over 3,500 km).
- Verdict: involuntary EU/UK bumps are among the clearest statutory claims — volunteers should negotiate above the statutory floor.
- Volunteers negotiate; involuntary passengers claim Article 7 bands plus re-routing or refund.
How much does EU261 pay for denied boarding?
Link to this answerWhen you are denied boarding against your will on a qualifying EU261 or UK261 flight — after the airline asked for volunteers — standardised compensation follows Article 7 distance bands: EUR 250, EUR 400 or EUR 600 (UK261: £220, £350 or £520), plus re-routing or refund and care. Not for every traveller — confirm fit first.
Voluntary bumps are negotiated offers — you are not forced to accept a low voucher. Involuntary denied boarding after you complied with check-in and documentation rules triggers the statutory path.
US itineraries: US DOT denied boarding compensation.
What must the airline do before bumping you?
Link to this answerEU261 requires the airline to call for volunteers first. If too few volunteer, involuntary denied boarding passengers are entitled to compensation, a choice of refund or re-routing, and care (meals, communication, hotel when overnight) under Articles 8 and 9. Get written confirmation of denied boarding at the gate. Photograph boarding passes and the gate screen.
Get written confirmation of denied boarding at the gate. Photograph boarding passes and the gate screen.
| Step | Airline duty | Your move |
|---|---|---|
| Call for volunteers | Required before involuntary bump | Negotiate if volunteering |
| Involuntary bump | Article 7 compensation + Article 8/9 | Demand written confirmation |
| Re-route vs refund | Your choice | Pick usable travel |
| Care during wait | Meals/hotel when due | Keep receipts |
Which EUR/GBP bands apply?
Link to this answerArticle 7 sets EUR 250 (up to 1,500 km), EUR 400 (1,500–3,500 km and intra-EU over 1,500 km) and EUR 600 (over 3,500 km). UK261 uses £220, £350 and £520 at equivalent thresholds. 50% reduction can apply when re-routing arrives within specified windows — see EU261 50% reduction rules.
Cite Regulation EC 261/2004 Article 4 (denied boarding) and Article 7 (amounts) in airline letters.
EU261 denied boarding — verdict
Link to this answerVerdict: involuntary EU/UK bumps are among the clearest statutory claims — volunteers should negotiate above the statutory floor. Not for US domestic bumps that use DOT formulas instead. Framework checked August 2026 — verify operating carrier and departure airport for EU261 scope.
Framework checked August 2026 — verify operating carrier and departure airport for EU261 scope.
EU denied boarding FAQ
Link to this answerVolunteers negotiate; involuntary passengers claim Article 7 bands plus re-routing or refund. Keep gate evidence. Late to gate? Protection weakens if you missed check-in or boarding deadlines. AirHelp? Option if the airline stalls — success fee applies. Verify the official source on your dates before you commit money, points or irreversible transfers.
Late to gate? Protection weakens if you missed check-in or boarding deadlines.
AirHelp? Option if the airline stalls — success fee applies.
Evidence note
How we checked this guide
Research basis
3 external references linked in this guide and its resources. Each reference supports only the claims it addresses; a link is not evidence of first-hand testing.
Experience standard
No first-hand test or trip is implied unless the article explicitly states who tested it, when and under what conditions.
Content update date
Content updated on 8 August 2026; this is not an independent verification of every linked source. Time-sensitive prices, rules and eligibility must be checked again before purchase or travel.
Commercial independence
Commercial links are labelled before the click. Their presence is not evidence of personal testing, programme approval or guaranteed availability.
See the editorial policy, method notes, the scoped evidence ledger, or report a correction.