---
title: "Denied boarding compensation: am I eligible? | FlightLogic"
description: "If you had a valid, confirmed booking, checked in on time, and were refused boarding involuntarily — most commonly because the flight was overbooked — you are…"
url: https://flightlogic.co.uk/eligibility/denied-boarding/
lastModified: 2026-07-08
source: FlightLogic (flightlogic.co.uk)
licence: "Content © Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd. Cite the URL above and the page author."
---

*Links marked * may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not provide financial advice. How we make money .*

# Am I eligible for compensation if I was denied boarding?

If you had a valid, confirmed booking, checked in on time, and were refused boarding involuntarily — most commonly because the flight was overbooked — you are entitled to the same fixed UK261 compensation as a long delay (£220–£520), plus your choice of refund or re-routing, and care while you wait.

## You likely ARE eligible if…

- ✓ You had a valid ticket and checked in by the deadline
- ✓ The airline refused to let you board, typically due to overbooking
- ✓ You did not agree to give up your seat for compensation offered at the gate
- ✓ Your flight departed a UK airport, or arrived in the UK/EU on a UK or EU airline

## You likely are NOT eligible if…

- ✕ You volunteered to give up your seat and accepted an offer (vouchers, a later flight) before boarding closed
- ✕ You arrived late or failed to meet check-in/boarding deadlines
- ✕ You were refused boarding for a valid safety, health, or documentation reason (e.g. an invalid passport or visa)

## What you're owed

- £ Fixed compensation: £220 (up to 1,500 km), £350 (1,500–3,500 km), or £260–£520 (over 3,500 km)
- £ Your choice of a full refund of the unused ticket, or re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity
- £ Care while you wait: meals, refreshments, and — if an overnight delay is unavoidable — hotel accommodation and transfers

If you believe you're eligible, use our free [Denied Boarding Compensation Claim Letter](https://flightlogic.co.uk/templates/denied-boarding-compensation-claim/) to make your claim.

[Read the full guide on this topic →](https://flightlogic.co.uk/guides/uk261-flight-delay-compensation-uk/)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary denied boarding?

If the airline asks for volunteers and you accept an offer before boarding closes, that is voluntary — you negotiate your own terms and may waive statutory compensation. If you are refused a seat without agreeing to give it up, that is involuntary denied boarding, and the fixed UK261 tiers apply.

### Am I still owed compensation if the airline found me a later flight?

Yes. Re-routing does not cancel your entitlement to fixed compensation for involuntary denied boarding — it is separate from, and in addition to, your right to a refund or alternative flight.

This page sets out the general legal position and is not legal advice. Individual claims can turn on facts not covered here — FlightLogic does not guarantee any outcome.

[← Back to all eligibility scenarios](https://flightlogic.co.uk/eligibility/)