Denied Boarding Compensation
Use the airline that actually operated the flight, not the one you booked with.
Likely eligible
Statutory payout per passenger
£220
Total for 2 passengers
£440
Your saving vs a claims company
If you used a 35% + VAT claims company, they would take £185.
With our free direct claim letter, you keep the entire £440.
100% payout · £0 commission
- • Departs from a UK airport, so UK261 applies to any airline.
- • Involuntary denied boarding (e.g. overbooking) must be compensated immediately at the airport.
Estimate based on statutory UK261/EU261 rules. Not legal advice.
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[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Your email]
18 October 2026
British Airways – Customer Relations / Claims Department
Re: Statutory compensation claim – Flight [flight number] on [date of flight]
Booking reference: [booking reference]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to claim compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as retained in UK law and amended by the Air Passenger Rights and Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ("UK261") in respect of flight [flight number] from London (LGW) to Palma (PMI) on [date of flight], operated by British Airways.
The flight was subject to involuntary denied boarding; I/we presented on time with valid documents and did not volunteer to give up our seats.
The great-circle distance of this route is approximately 1,310 km. Under Article 7 of UK261, the compensation due is £220 per passenger. The claim is made on behalf of the following 2 passenger(s):
1. [Passenger name 1]
Total compensation claimed: £440
In line with the judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU in Sturgeon (C-402/07) and Nelson (C-581/10), and the Court of Appeal in Huzar v Jet2.com [2014] EWCA Civ 791, technical problems arising in the normal operation of an airline are not extraordinary circumstances. If you contend that extraordinary circumstances apply, please provide full evidence and explain what reasonable measures were taken to avoid the disruption.
Please pay the compensation in money by bank transfer, as required by Article 7(3). I do not accept travel vouchers in place of cash.
I look forward to your response within 14 days. If this claim is rejected or not resolved within 8 weeks, I will refer it to your approved Alternative Dispute Resolution body or the relevant enforcement authority, and reserve the right to issue proceedings without further notice.
Yours faithfully,
[Your full name]
Prepared using the free claim letter template at flightcompensationcalculator.co.uk.Your rights when bumped
- Statutory compensation of £220–£520 (UK261) or €250–€600 (EU261), payable immediately.
- A choice of refund or rerouting under Article 8.
- Meals, refreshments, communications and hotel accommodation where needed (Article 9).
When it doesn't apply
Airlines may lawfully refuse boarding for reasonable grounds — health, safety, security or inadequate travel documents. Arriving after the check-in deadline also removes protection.
The 50% reduction
If the airline reroutes you and you arrive within 2 hours (short haul), 3 hours (medium haul) or 4 hours (long haul) of the original schedule, compensation can be halved.
Frequently asked questions
Is overbooking an extraordinary circumstance?
No. Overbooking is a commercial decision, so compensation is always due when you're bumped involuntarily.
What if I volunteered to give up my seat?
Volunteers receive whatever benefits they agree with the airline, plus rerouting or refund — but not the statutory compensation.
When should denied boarding compensation be paid?
Article 4(3) requires immediate payment. If the airline doesn't pay at the gate, claim in writing with our free letter.