26 September 2018

Denied boarding for overbooking

What rights do I have if I’m denied boarding due to overbooking?

If a flight is overbooked, the first thing the airline does is to

Make an appeal for volunteers

willing to give up their seat in exchange for benefits to be agreed.

Compensation

What rights do I have if I am denied boarding due to a flight cancellation?

In the event of a flight cancellation, the passenger has the right to a refund of the price of the ticket for the part of the journey not travelled or, alternatively, the right to rebooking of the first possible flight or on the most convenient date for the passenger, under comparable travel conditions.

Compensation

The passenger also has the right to compensation calculated on the basis of the route (intra- or extra-EU) and the distance covered:

· intra-EU flights less than or equal to 1,500 km EUR 250.00

· intra-EU flights over 1,500 km EUR 400.00

· extra-EU flights less than or equal to 1,500 km EUR 250.00

· extra-EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km EUR 400.00

· extra-EU flights over 3,500 km EUR 600.00

The airline may reduce the compensation by 50% if the passenger is offered the opportunity to travel on an alternative flight with an arrival time that does not exceed the original scheduled flight time by a maximum of four hours.

The compensation is paid in cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank order or bank cheque or, in agreement with the passenger, with travel vouchers and/or other services, regardless of the price of the ticket when purchased.

Assistance

The airline is also obliged to provide assistance, supplying the passenger with:

meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time,
hotel accommodation in cases where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary,
transport between the airport and place of accommodation and
two telephone calls, telex or fax messages or e-mails.

People with reduced mobility and their companions and non-accompanied children have the right to preferential assistance.

For more information read reference legislation on the rights of the passenger in the event of disruption in Europe.

Text by Alisè Vitri

Published 04 April 2018

Source: www.europa.eu, Enac (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile) www.enac.gov.it
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