Involuntary denied boarding (often due to overbooking) is one of the cases where the right to compensation is most automatic: Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 does not allow the airline to invoke any extraordinary circumstance to avoid paying. If you turned up on time with a valid booking and were denied boarding against your will, compensation is owed. VolClaim checks your eligibility free of charge and handles your entire claim. You pay nothing upfront, and you only pay if we obtain your compensation.
✓ Content checked by the VolClaim editorial team · Last checked: 16 September 2026 · Sources: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, UK261, CJEU case law
If the airline looks for volunteers in exchange for negotiated benefits (vouchers, upgrade, payment) and you accept, this is not denied boarding within the meaning of the regulation — but the benefits offered must be at least equivalent to the legal compensation.
If you are there on time with a valid booking and are denied boarding without having agreed to it, the automatic compensation under Article 4 applies.
Unlike a delay or cancellation, denied boarding due to overbooking is considered to be entirely within the airline's control: it can never avoid paying by invoking an extraordinary circumstance.
In addition to compensation, you are entitled to a refund or re-routing, as well as care (meals, accommodation if necessary) while waiting for your new flight.
Overbooking is when an airline sells more tickets than there are seats available, anticipating a certain number of no-shows. When all passengers turn up, the airline has to deny boarding to some of them.
Yes, if the denial is involuntary: you turned up on time with a valid booking and were not offered a voluntary arrangement (with negotiated compensation) before boarding. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 then provides for automatic compensation, and the airline cannot invoke an extraordinary circumstance.
Between €250 and €600 depending on the flight distance, as for a delay or cancellation: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 between 1,500 and 3,500 km, €600 beyond 3,500 km outside the EU. You also keep the right to a refund or re-routing.
Free check, no obligation.