Guides › Flights › Denied Boarding on an Overbooked Flight: Compensation
Denied Boarding on an Overbooked Flight: Compensation
If you are bumped off a flight against your will after checking in on time, you are entitled to compensation of £220, £350 or £520 depending on distance (halved if the new flight gets you there soon after), plus a choice of an alternative flight or a refund, and food and a hotel if you need them while you wait.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Compensation
Bumped Against Your Will
If you checked in on time and are bumped against your will: £220 (under 1,500 km), £350 (1,500 to 3,500 km) or £520 (over 3,500 km). If the alternative gets you there less than 2, 3 or 4 hours later respectively, it is £110, £175 or £260. source
Volunteers
If you volunteer to be bumped, you and the airline agree compensation (often cash or vouchers at the gate), and you are also entitled to an alternative flight or a refund. source
New Flight or Refund
New Flight or Refund
You can fly as soon as possible or at a later date that suits you, or get a refund for unused parts of the ticket (and a flight back to your starting point if you are partway through). If you fly as soon as possible, the airline must give food and drink, communication, and accommodation and transport if you are rerouted to the next day. source
When It Is Not Owed
Denying boarding can be reasonable for inadequate travel documents, such as no valid passport, or for reasons of health, safety or security. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 8 weeksAirline should reply to your complaintWithin 8 weeks, then you can escalate to ADR or the CAA
- 6 yearsLegal claim for compensationGenerally 6 years in England and Wales, 5 years in Scotland (the CAA page does not state a limit, so check before you wait)
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Do not agree to volunteer unless you are happy with what the airline offers.
Step 2 of 5
Ask the airline to confirm in writing that you were denied boarding.
Step 3 of 5
Choose a new flight or a refund, and keep receipts for food and hotels.
Step 4 of 5
Claim the compensation from the airline in writing. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 5 of 5
If refused, use the airline's ADR scheme or the CAA.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Airline's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Provider
You are unhappy with the airline's final response, or it has taken more than 8 weeks to reply, and the airline belongs to an ADR scheme.
Civil Aviation Authority: Passenger Advice and Complaints Team
The airline is not in an ADR scheme, after you have complained to the airline first.
Small Claims Court
The airline refuses and you want to claim the fixed compensation. Check the time limit first.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Check in on time: compensation depends on it.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/denied-boarding Checked 13 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/how-to-claim-compensation Checked 12 October 2026
- gov.uk/make-a-court-claim-for-money Checked 8 October 2026