When you can claim
You're entitled to denied-boarding compensation when all of these are true:
- You had a confirmed booking on the flight.
- You checked in on time (usually at least 45 minutes before departure).
- You were involuntarily refused boarding — you did not volunteer your seat.
- The refusal was not due to reasonable safety, security, health, or document grounds (e.g. you didn't have a valid passport).
How much you're owed
| Distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | €250 |
| Intra-EU > 1,500 km, or 1,500–3,500 km | €400 |
| Over 3,500 km extra-EU | €600 |
Plus a refund or rebooking
In addition to the compensation, the airline must offer you the choice of:
- A full refund of the ticket within seven days, plus a return flight to your point of origin if relevant; or
- Re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity; or
- Re-routing at a later date of your choosing, subject to seat availability.
If you choose to wait at the airport, the airline must also provide meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation, and communications free of charge.