Am I entitled to compensation if I am denied boarding on an overbooked UK or EU flight?
The short answer
Yes, if you are bumped without your agreement and you checked in on time, you are entitled to compensation of between 110 and 520 pounds depending on flight distance and how late you reach your destination. You also have the choice of a refund or an alternative flight, plus care while you wait. The CAA says this applies to flights covered by UK law.
When does this apply?
Airlines sometimes book more people than there are seats, or use a smaller aircraft than planned. If too many people check in, some may be asked or forced to give up their place, which is called being bumped or denied boarding.
The CAA says UK law covers flights departing a UK airport on any airline, flights arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, and flights arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline. Compensation depends on being bumped without your agreement and having checked in on time.
How much compensation will I get?
The CAA gives these per-person amounts for being bumped against your wishes, depending on distance and how much later you arrive at your final destination than the original flight:
- Under 1,500km: 220 pounds if you arrive two or more hours later; 110 pounds if less than two hours later.
- 1,500km to 3,500km: 350 pounds if you arrive three or more hours later; 175 pounds if less than three hours later.
- Over 3,500km: 520 pounds if you arrive four or more hours later; 260 pounds if less than four hours later.
What if I volunteer to be bumped?
If you volunteer, the compensation is for you and the airline to agree. The CAA says airlines often make a gate announcement offering cash or vouchers. You are still entitled to an alternative flight or a refund, so think about when you would arrive before accepting.
What else am I entitled to?
Whether you volunteered or not, the airline must let you choose between an alternative flight and a refund.
- Alternative flight: as soon as possible or at a later date that suits you. If you choose the earliest flight, the airline must provide care while you wait.
- Care and assistance: food and drink, a means to communicate, accommodation if you are rerouted the next day, and transport to and from it.
- Refund: money back for all unused parts of the ticket. If you are part-way through a journey, a flight back to your starting point.
When can the airline refuse boarding without paying?
The CAA says denied boarding can be reasonable for reasons of health, safety or security, or inadequate travel documentation. For example, it is reasonable to refuse a passenger without a valid passport. Those cases are not the lack of space on the aircraft that triggers the compensation above.
The page we read does not address whether the amounts can be reduced in some cases, so if the airline offers less, ask it to explain and check the CAA guidance.
Sources: UK Civil Aviation Authority: Denied boarding. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have checked in on time?
Yes. The CAA says that if you are bumped without your agreement you are entitled to compensation as long as you checked in for your flight on time.
Is the compensation per person?
The CAA's denied boarding table lists amounts by flight length and delay but the page we read does not say whether they are per person. Its cancellation tables state all figures are per person, so confirm with the airline for your party.
Can I be paid in vouchers?
The CAA mentions cash or vouchers for volunteers, where you and the airline agree. For involuntary denied boarding, the page we read lists the compensation amounts without mentioning vouchers.
Does this cover EU flights too?
UK law covers flights from UK airports on any airline, flights into the UK on EU or UK airlines, and flights into the EU on UK airlines. Other EU rules may apply to your flight, which we do not cover here.
What if I was refused boarding because of my passport?
The CAA says denied boarding for inadequate travel documentation can be reasonable, so the bumping compensation would not normally apply.