Refused Boarding by AJet: Overbooking or a Valid Reason? How to Tell
AJet doesn't always call it overbooking when it refuses you boarding. Here's how to tell a genuine refusal from a disguised bump, and when you're owed £350 under UK261.
Airlines rarely announce "we oversold this flight and you're the one staying behind." More often you hear that the flight is closed, your seat has been reassigned, the aircraft has been changed, or there's a problem with your documents. Some of those are genuine reasons to refuse boarding. Others are overbooking by another name, and under UK261 that difference is worth £350 per passenger on most AJet routes from the UK.
What counts as denied boarding
Denied boarding is any refusal to carry a passenger who has a confirmed booking and presented themselves for check-in and at the gate on time, unless the airline has reasonable grounds. Overbooking isn't the only cause. Anything that's down to the airline's own seat management counts.
Situations that usually do qualify
- The flight was oversold and more passengers turned up than there were seats
- AJet swapped to a smaller aircraft and there weren't enough seats for everyone booked. This is treated as denied boarding, not a technical issue
- Your seat was given to someone else at check-in or the gate, even though you arrived on time
- You were offloaded because an earlier AJet flight on your booking was late and the airline gave your seat away, even though you made it to the gate in time
- The check-in desk closed early or the queue was so poorly managed that passengers who arrived on time couldn't check in
Situations that usually don't
- Arriving after check-in or the gate closed. AJet publishes its closing times and they're enforced
- Travel document problems, such as a passport that doesn't meet Turkey's validity requirements for UK visitors. Check the current UK government travel advice for Turkey well before you fly
- Disruptive behaviour, or being visibly unfit to fly
- Genuine safety or security reasons
When a "document problem" isn't one
Gate staff sometimes get entry rules wrong. If you were refused because staff believed your passport, visa or residence status didn't meet Turkey's requirements, and it actually did, the refusal had no reasonable grounds and can still count as denied boarding. Note exactly what was said and by whom, and keep a photo of the relevant document page.
Get the reason in writing
Before you leave the gate or desk, ask AJet staff to confirm in writing that you were refused boarding and why. Airlines must give bumped passengers a written notice explaining their rights. If staff won't, write down the time, the staff member's name or badge number, and the reason they gave, and email it to AJet the same day so there's a dated record.
What you're owed if it was denied boarding
- £220 for flights under 1,500km
- £350 for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, which covers almost every AJet route from the UK
- £520 for flights over 3,500km
On top of the compensation, you choose a refund or rerouting, and AJet must provide meals and a hotel if you're left waiting overnight. The compensation can be halved if AJet reroutes you and you arrive within 3 hours of your original arrival time on a route of this length.
Flying home from Turkey?
UK261 only covers AJet flights departing UK airports. Refusals on flights from Turkey to the UK are handled under Turkey's own passenger rights rules, which apply the same distinction between genuine reasons and denied boarding.
How far back can you claim?
Up to 6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 5 years in Scotland, including older AnadoluJet flights before the rebrand.
Start your claim
If AJet refused you boarding and you're not sure whether it counts, Klaimly reviews what happened and pursues the claim if it does. We charge a flat 5% fee, only if we win. No VAT, no minimum fee, and nothing to pay unless your claim succeeds.