Bumped Off an Overbooked Flight? Your Denied Boarding Rights (UK)

Airlines routinely sell more seats than the plane holds, betting some passengers will not show. When everyone does, someone gets "bumped". If that is you — against your will — you have strong rights under UK261.

Voluntary vs involuntary

Airlines first ask for volunteers to give up their seat in exchange for benefits — you are free to negotiate (or decline). But if you are denied boarding involuntarily, the law kicks in and the airline owes you a fixed package.

What you are owed for involuntary denied boarding

• Compensation based on flight distance — broadly £220 to £520 per passenger (the same bands as long delays under UK261).
• A choice between a full refund (with a flight back to your first departure point if part-travelled) or rerouting to your destination at the earliest opportunity.
• Care while you wait: meals, refreshments, phone calls, and accommodation if an overnight stay is needed.

Unlike delay compensation, denied-boarding compensation is not reduced by "extraordinary circumstances" — overbooking is entirely within the airline's control.

How to claim

1. Keep your boarding pass and booking, and note that you were denied boarding involuntarily.
2. Ask staff why and get it in writing if you can.
3. Write to the airline citing UK261 denied-boarding rules, stating the compensation band and whether you want a refund or rerouting.

A claim letter template

Dear [Airline],

Re: Denied boarding — flight [number] on [date]

I held a confirmed booking and arrived for check-in on time, but was denied
boarding involuntarily due to overbooking. Under UK261 I am entitled to
compensation of £[amount] plus [a full refund / rerouting] and care during the
wait.

Please pay the compensation due to [details] within 14 days. If you decline, I
will refer the matter to the aviation regulator / ADR scheme.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name and contact details]

If the airline stalls, escalate to its ADR scheme or the Civil Aviation Authority. Denied-boarding claims are among the clearest-cut in air travel — the airline chose to oversell.