Denied Boarding? Learn How To Seek Compensation

Denied boarding can be one of the most frustrating experiences for travelers.

Passengers all across the globe face the issue of denied boarding. Passengers do not always board a flight under normal circumstances; they can book a flight under some extraordinary circumstances.

Passengers book a flight in emergency situations, such as the sudden loss of a family member, necessary urgent medical treatment, and so on.

Travelers on vacation often have to get back to their work on time, and hence, it becomes important for them to return on time. Hence, passengers find it difficult to get back on their feet when they are denied boarding.

Passengers do not commit mistakes for this consequence in several cases, i.e., in many cases, they are not even at fault for denied boarding.

Whether it’s due to overbooking, documentation issues, or other reasons, being prevented from boarding a flight can disrupt your plans. Fortunately, regulations like EU261 and services like Skycop exist to ensure passengers are compensated when Airlines are at fault.

Hello readers, in this article on dreams and travel, we are going to cover the five main reasons for denied boarding. We will also discuss the steps you can take to claim the compensation to which you are entitled.

Here are five common reasons for denied boarding and how you can get compensated.

Common Reasons For Denied Boarding

Airline denies boarding to passengers for multiple reasons; while some of these reasons may be your fault, many cases may not be.

Passengers often have to suffer for no fault of their own. The passengers should identify the reason and claim for the compensation.

1. Overbooking

Airlines book too many seats while hoping that many of the passengers will not actually show up before takeoff. The Airlines have denied boarding for the passengers often for this reason. Overbooking is one of the most common reasons for denied boarding.

However, this does not always happen, and the passengers are denied boarding. The passengers face unnecessary harassment due to the greed of the Airline. Overbooking is one of the most problematic situations in the aviation sector.

The passengers suffer unnecessarily for no fault of their own. Airlines strand Several passengers due to the mistake of the Airline.

The passengers were denied boarding without any fault of their own.

Your Compensation Rights

The passengers who have been denied boarding should hold the Airline accountable. The passengers who are denied boarding should hold the Airline accountable for the inconvenience that they have been facing.

Travelers should be aware of the rights they are entitled to under EU Regulation 261/2004.

Passengers should ensure that they meet all the travel requirements before proceeding with the claim.

The suffering passengers receive compensation in varied amounts. A short distance of 1500 km attracts €250($288). Passengers should receive €400($460.81) for a medium distance between 1500 and 3500 km. A passenger who has booked a ticket for more than 3500 km worth of distance should get compensation of more than €600 ($ 691.09).

The Airline should be compensating the passengers with other things, like alternate transportation and comfort.

The Airline should provide the passenger with refreshments and other things. The onus of making the passengers comfortable falls on the Airlines.

2. Documentation Issues

Airlines deny boarding to passengers if their documents do not match the required criteria. Passengers should carry the necessary documents, such as a passport, visa, or boarding pass.

Even minor issues, like mismatched names, can result in being denied.

Passengers should, therefore, not only make sure to carry all the documents but they should also check that the details on the documents are correct.

How to Avoid This

Double-check the requirements for your destination before traveling.
Ensure your passport and visa are valid and match your ticket details.

Compensation Eligibility

Passengers should carry all their documents with them, as the Airline shall not be responsible for passengers not carrying the required documents.

If you make the mistake of not carrying the necessary documents, then the Airline should not provide you with any compensation for denied boarding.

3. Security Or Health Concerns

Airlines refuse to board passengers when there are concerns related to security or if people are unwell. The passengers are denied boarding when they are unfit for flying due to health or security reasons.

Passengers face denied boarding for legitimate reasons like visible signs of illness, a positive health report of communicable disease, or suspected intoxication.

Passengers all over the globe, depending on their background, often face stereotypes.

So, passengers should be aware of their rights in such situations, as their rights should be respected by the airport authorities.

How To Get Compensated

The passenger or passengers should seek compensation if they find the decision by the airport authorities to be unreasonable. Airlines or airport authorities often subject people to unfair treatment based on several stereotypes and other factors.

The Flyers should be aware of their rights. Vigilant travelers do not face problems.

4. Late Check-In Or Arrival At The Gate

The passengers should checkin at the airport 45 minutes before the originally scheduled time. The aviation sector generally follows this rule, which is observed worldwide. Passengers should abide by the rules of checking in.

The Airline is not accountable for the passengers checking in late in this kind of situation; the passengers are solely responsible.

Passengers should arrive at the airport on time, as late arrivals may result in denied boarding by the Airline.

How To Avoid This

Arrive at the airport early, with enough time to check in and relax.
Monitor gate announcements for changes and ensure you reach the boarding area on time.

Compensation Eligibility

Airlines do not compensate passengers who arrive late. Authorities do not consider passengers who check in late as eligible for compensation.

The authorities hold the passengers responsible for this mistake. Hence, they need to arrive on time.

5. Operational Or Technical Issues

The Airline denies boarding to the passengers for reasons that are not in their control. Passengers face denied boarding for sudden changes in the aircraft due to technical issues.

Passengers face denied boarding due to weight restrictions of the aircraft as well. The Airline, hence, has to deny boarding to some of the passengers.

How To Get Compensated

In this circumstance, you’re eligible for compensation under EC261 law, as it is the Airline’s fault. You can start putting your documents together to start the process of filing a claim.

Things Every Passenger Should Keep In Mind While Booking Tickets

Passengers boarding a flight should be aware of their rights under Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004( EU261). Vigilant travelers make the right decisions, making sure that their rights are not hampered.

Passengers should claim their compensation under EU261 irrespective of whether they are dealing with overbooking, operational issues, or an unfair denial.

Passengers should start with Skycop and be proactive in protecting their travel rights to ensure they receive compensation, which results in a smoother process and a more effective outcome.