Denied Boarding vs Cancellation: Does It Change Your Compensation?
Bumped from an overbooked flight or told your flight was cancelled? Here's how the two situations differ and what you're owed either way.
Whether you were denied boarding due to overbooking or your flight was cancelled outright, the compensation amounts under UK261 are the same. The difference is in your other rights.
Compensation amount: identical either way
- £220 under 1,500km
- £350 for 1,500-3,500km
- £520 over 3,500km
Denied boarding: no delay threshold
If you were bumped from an overbooked flight and involuntarily denied boarding, you're entitled to compensation immediately, with no 3-hour delay requirement, since the airline sold more seats than it had.
Cancellation: notice period matters
For cancellations, compensation depends on how much notice you were given. Cancellations announced 14 days or less before departure are generally compensable; earlier notice may exempt the airline, depending on the alternative flight offered.
How to claim
Klaimly handles both denied boarding and cancellation claims for a flat 5% fee, only if we win.