Denied boarding? Don’t leave compensation unclaimed.
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At a glance
Flight compensation guide
Disruption
Involuntary denied boarding
Common cause
Overbooking or other qualifying airline-controlled reasons
Coverage
Canada, Saudi Arabia, UK, EU, Türkiye, Oman, Thailand, Mexico and India
Possible rights
Compensation, rerouting, refund and care
Eligibility depends on the actual journey and passenger-rights rules that apply.
Quick answer
Could your flight qualify?
You may be entitled to denied boarding compensation if you had a valid reservation, complied with the required check-in and boarding conditions and were refused carriage against your will without a valid health, safety, security or travel-document reason. Voluntarily giving up your seat is treated differently.
On this page
Passenger rights
Your rights depend on the journey
Denied-boarding protection exists across the markets Travaro supports, but the calculation differs. Some systems use distance or final-arrival delay, while others use ticket value or cancellation-style remedies.
Canada
APPR
CAD 900–2,400
Qualifying involuntary denied boarding within the airline's control and not required for safety is compensated according to how late you ultimately reach your final destination.
Saudi Arabia
GACA
200% of unused ticket value or about SAR 255–765
You can accept alternative travel or terminate the contract. Termination can bring a refund plus 200% compensation on the unused ticket value, while accepted alternative travel is assessed using delay rules.
United Kingdom
UK261
£220–£520
If you are involuntarily denied boarding after checking in as required, compensation depends on flight distance and how quickly alternative travel gets you to the destination.
European Union
EC261
€250–€600
Eligible involuntary denied boarding can qualify for fixed compensation based on journey distance, together with reimbursement or rerouting and assistance rights.
Türkiye
SHY-YOLCU
TRY equivalent of €100–€600
Eligible involuntary denied boarding can qualify for fixed compensation, reimbursement or rerouting and care. Compensation is converted into Turkish lira when paid.
Oman
Oman CAA
50%–100% of unused ticket value in key cases
The compensation depends on how quickly a comparable alternative flight is provided and whether the passenger continues the journey or terminates the contract.
Thailand
CAAT 101
THB 1,500 domestic; THB 2,000–4,500 international
After the airline seeks volunteers, qualifying involuntary denied boarding can create fixed compensation plus care, refund or alternative-travel rights.
Mexico
Mexico LAC
Cancellation remedies; 25% minimum with specified options
Where overbooking leads to involuntary denied boarding, Mexico applies the cancellation remedies after the airline first seeks volunteers.
India
India DGCA
200%–400% of eligible fare basis; INR 10,000–20,000 caps
Involuntary overbooking may qualify for capped compensation based on replacement departure time. An alternative within one hour does not trigger a statutory cash payment.
Compensation
How compensation can differ
Unlike an ordinary delay, denied boarding can create compensation immediately because the airline has refused to carry a passenger who was ready to travel. The amount then depends on the applicable regulatory framework and, in several jurisdictions, the alternative journey offered.
Denied boarding compensation at a glance
These headline amounts apply to qualifying involuntary denied boarding. Voluntarily giving up your seat is treated differently, and valid health, safety, security or travel-document reasons can also change the outcome.
- Country / region
- Canada — APPR
- How compensation is determined
- How late you reach the final destination
- Headline compensation
- CAD 900–2,400
- Country / region
- Saudi Arabia — GACA
- How compensation is determined
- Whether you terminate the contract or accept alternative travel
- Headline compensation
- 200% of unused ticket value or about SAR 255–765
- Country / region
- United Kingdom — UK261
- How compensation is determined
- Flight distance and alternative arrival time
- Headline compensation
- £220–£520
- Country / region
- European Union — EC261
- How compensation is determined
- Journey distance and alternative arrival time
- Headline compensation
- €250–€600
- Country / region
- Türkiye — SHY-YOLCU
- How compensation is determined
- Domestic/international journey, distance and alternative arrival time
- Headline compensation
- TRY equivalent of €100–€600
- Country / region
- Oman — Oman CAA
- How compensation is determined
- Alternative flight timing or termination of the contract
- Headline compensation
- 50%–100% of unused ticket value, or cancellation provisions for longer alternatives
- Country / region
- Thailand — CAAT 101
- How compensation is determined
- Domestic/international flight and distance
- Headline compensation
- THB 1,500 domestic; THB 2,000–4,500 international
- Country / region
- Mexico — Civil Aviation Law
- How compensation is determined
- Cancellation remedies after involuntary denied boarding
- Headline compensation
- Choice of statutory remedies, including 25% compensation with specified options
- Country / region
- India — DGCA
- How compensation is determined
- Overbooking with qualifying replacement departure beyond one hour
- Headline compensation
- 200%–400% of eligible fare basis, within INR 10,000 / 20,000 caps
| Country / region | How compensation is determined | Headline compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Canada — APPR | How late you reach the final destination | CAD 900–2,400 |
| Saudi Arabia — GACA | Whether you terminate the contract or accept alternative travel | 200% of unused ticket value or about SAR 255–765 |
| United Kingdom — UK261 | Flight distance and alternative arrival time | £220–£520 |
| European Union — EC261 | Journey distance and alternative arrival time | €250–€600 |
| Türkiye — SHY-YOLCU | Domestic/international journey, distance and alternative arrival time | TRY equivalent of €100–€600 |
| Oman — Oman CAA | Alternative flight timing or termination of the contract | 50%–100% of unused ticket value, or cancellation provisions for longer alternatives |
| Thailand — CAAT 101 | Domestic/international flight and distance | THB 1,500 domestic; THB 2,000–4,500 international |
| Mexico — Civil Aviation Law | Cancellation remedies after involuntary denied boarding | Choice of statutory remedies, including 25% compensation with specified options |
| India — DGCA | Overbooking with qualifying replacement departure beyond one hour | 200%–400% of eligible fare basis, within INR 10,000 / 20,000 caps |
Compensation is separate from rights to reimbursement, rerouting and care. The precise entitlement depends on the applicable passenger-rights framework and circumstances.
How alternative travel can change the amount
Several passenger-rights rules reduce compensation when alternative travel gets you to the final destination within specified time limits.
- Rules
- Canada — APPR
- Alternative arrival
- Less than 6 hours late
- Compensation treatment
- CAD 900
- Rules
- Canada — APPR
- Alternative arrival
- 6 to less than 9 hours late
- Compensation treatment
- CAD 1,800
- Rules
- Canada — APPR
- Alternative arrival
- 9 hours or more late
- Compensation treatment
- CAD 2,400
- Rules
- Saudi Arabia — GACA
- Alternative arrival
- Alternative flight within 2 hours of original departure
- Compensation treatment
- Denied-boarding compensation does not apply
- Rules
- Saudi Arabia — GACA
- Alternative arrival
- Accepted alternative travel; arrival 3–6 hours late
- Compensation treatment
- About SAR 255
- Rules
- Saudi Arabia — GACA
- Alternative arrival
- Accepted alternative travel; arrival more than 6 hours late
- Compensation treatment
- About SAR 765
- Rules
- UK261
- Alternative arrival
- Within 2 / 3 / 4 hours depending on flight distance
- Compensation treatment
- £110 / £175 / £260
- Rules
- EC261
- Alternative arrival
- Within 2 / 3 / 4 hours depending on journey distance
- Compensation treatment
- €125 / €200 / €300
- Rules
- SHY-YOLCU
- Alternative arrival
- Within 2 / 3 / 4 hours depending on distance
- Compensation treatment
- Standard compensation may be reduced by 50%
- Rules
- Oman
- Alternative arrival
- Comparable alternative within less than 2 hours
- Compensation treatment
- No fixed denied-boarding compensation; care and support still apply
- Rules
- Oman
- Alternative arrival
- Alternative within 2–6 hours
- Compensation treatment
- 50% of the unused ticket value
- Rules
- Thailand
- Alternative arrival
- Involuntary denied boarding after volunteers are sought
- Compensation treatment
- Fixed domestic or international compensation plus refund/rerouting and care rights
- Rules
- Mexico
- Alternative arrival
- Involuntary denied boarding after overbooking
- Compensation treatment
- Cancellation remedies apply; specified options include at least 25% compensation
| Rules | Alternative arrival | Compensation treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Canada — APPR | Less than 6 hours late | CAD 900 |
| Canada — APPR | 6 to less than 9 hours late | CAD 1,800 |
| Canada — APPR | 9 hours or more late | CAD 2,400 |
| Saudi Arabia — GACA | Alternative flight within 2 hours of original departure | Denied-boarding compensation does not apply |
| Saudi Arabia — GACA | Accepted alternative travel; arrival 3–6 hours late | About SAR 255 |
| Saudi Arabia — GACA | Accepted alternative travel; arrival more than 6 hours late | About SAR 765 |
| UK261 | Within 2 / 3 / 4 hours depending on flight distance | £110 / £175 / £260 |
| EC261 | Within 2 / 3 / 4 hours depending on journey distance | €125 / €200 / €300 |
| SHY-YOLCU | Within 2 / 3 / 4 hours depending on distance | Standard compensation may be reduced by 50% |
| Oman | Comparable alternative within less than 2 hours | No fixed denied-boarding compensation; care and support still apply |
| Oman | Alternative within 2–6 hours | 50% of the unused ticket value |
| Thailand | Involuntary denied boarding after volunteers are sought | Fixed domestic or international compensation plus refund/rerouting and care rights |
| Mexico | Involuntary denied boarding after overbooking | Cancellation remedies apply; specified options include at least 25% compensation |
Eligibility
What determines whether compensation applies?
These are the main factors Travaro checks when assessing an involuntary denied-boarding case.
Voluntary and involuntary cases are different
Airlines may first ask passengers to volunteer to give up their reservations in exchange for agreed benefits. Statutory denied-boarding compensation generally concerns passengers who are refused boarding against their will.
You must normally meet the boarding requirements
Having a confirmed reservation is not enough on its own. Check-in deadlines, boarding times and other conditions applicable to the journey can determine whether denied-boarding protection applies.
Valid refusal reasons are treated differently
Health, safety, security and inadequate travel-document reasons can justify refusing carriage and are not treated in the same way as an involuntary bump caused by overbooking.
Alternative arrival time can change the amount
Canada bases its denied-boarding tiers directly on the final arrival delay. UK261, EC261 and SHY-YOLCU can reduce compensation when rerouting gets you to the destination within specified time limits.
Saudi Arabia uses a different model
GACA lets an affected passenger accept alternative travel or terminate the contract. Contract termination can trigger compensation equal to 200% of the unused ticket value in addition to the applicable refund.
Alternative travel and refund rights are separate
Fixed compensation does not replace your underlying right to alternative travel or reimbursement where those rights apply. The available remedy depends on the passenger-rights framework.
During the disruption
The airline may owe more than compensation
Being bumped from a flight can leave you waiting for hours or unable to continue the journey as booked. Passenger-rights frameworks therefore include practical obligations alongside monetary compensation.
The airline may have to reroute you to your destination at no additional cost.
A refund can be available if you choose not to continue the journey.
Meals and refreshments may be required while you wait for alternative transport.
Hotel accommodation and airport transport can apply where an overnight stay becomes necessary.
If the replacement flight places you in a lower cabin class, separate downgrade rights can apply.
Keep itemised receipts where the airline fails to provide required care directly.
Before you claim
What should you keep?
Denied-boarding claims often depend on proving that you were properly booked, presented yourself for travel as required and were refused boarding by the airline.
Your booking confirmation and complete itinerary.
Your boarding pass, mobile boarding pass or other proof of check-in.
Any written denied-boarding or overbooking notice provided by the airline.
The airline's explanation for why you were refused boarding.
Details and timings of every alternative flight or rerouting option offered.
Your actual arrival time at the final destination.
Itemised receipts for reasonable meals, accommodation or local transport expenses where relevant.
Claim with Travaro
A simpler way to pursue your claim
01
Check your eligibility
Tell us about your flight and what happened. Travaro checks whether the journey may qualify.
02
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03
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Travaro reviews the claim, submits it when ready and manages airline follow-up while you track progress online.
Keep exploring
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Learn moreMissed connection compensation
See how connected bookings, final arrival delay and the underlying disruption affect missed-connection rights.
Learn moreCheck your journey
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