Denied boarding occurs when an airline refuses to accommodate you on a scheduled flight, even though you have a valid ticket, the necessary documentation (e.g., passport, visa), confirmed your reservation, and arrived for check-in within the airline’s specified time limit. This can happen when airlines sell more tickets for a flight than there are available seats.
Volunteers
When a flight is overbooked, airlines typically ask for volunteers to give up their confirmed reservations in exchange for agreed benefits. Volunteers have the option to:
- Receive a refund of the ticket cost within seven days if they choose not to travel.
- Be re-routed to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.
- Be re-routed at a later date at their convenience, subject to seat availability.
Non-Volunteers
If there are not enough volunteers, the airline may involuntarily deny boarding to passengers. However, they must compensate passengers and offer appropriate assistance as specified by the law. Non-volunteer passengers also have the choice of:
- Receiving a refund of the ticket cost within seven days if they choose not to travel.
- Being re-routed to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.
- Being re-routed at a later date at their convenience, subject to seat availability.
A refund, in this context, refers to a full refund of the ticket for the part or parts of the journey not taken and, if applicable, for the part or parts already completed if the flight no longer serves the original travel plan. Additionally, it includes a return flight to the first point of departure at the earliest opportunity if relevant.
Compensation Amounts for Overbooked Flights
Compensation amounts for overbooked flights depend on the distance of the flight:
- Flights of 1,500 km or less: €250
- Flights of over 1,500 km within the EU and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- All other flights: €600
How to Make a Complaint
If you have a complaint about denied boarding due to overbooking, your first step should be to file a complaint with the airline. If the airline does not resolve your complaint, you can escalate it to the appropriate national enforcement body.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) serves as the national enforcement body in Ireland for flights departing from Irish airports or arriving at an Irish airport from outside the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA-licensed carrier. You can submit a complaint to the IAA online.
Contact Information for Complaints:
Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)
- Address: The Times Building, 11-12 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Phone: +353 1 671 8655
- Fax: +353 1 679 2934
- Homepage: iaa.ie
- Email: info@iaa.ie
Remember that understanding your rights as an air passenger is crucial, and you should always advocate for your rights in the event of flight disruptions. Safe travels!
Like what we do? then please consider subscribing to us https://whatsgoingonireland.ie/subscribe-landing-page/
TikTok for more https://www.tiktok.com/@whatsgoingonireland?lang=en