You're at the gate but can't board — immediate steps
Refused despite a valid booking? This is an Art. 4 EU 261 situation. Compensation €250-€600 + reimbursement/alternative choice + meals + hotel. Sequence of actions below.
Denied at the gate despite a valid booking and timely check-in is an Art. 4 EU 261 situation. Unlike delay: here you have a RIGHT to compensation AND choice of reimbursement/alternative AND care — not one of three, but all three together.
Step by step
1
Ask: why refused?
Get written confirmation from gate staff of the reason (overbooking, safety, documentation). Email/SMS to yourself works. Ask if volunteers were sought — if no, that's already a procedural error (Art. 4(1)).
2
Determine the distance tier and compensation
Flight up to 1500 km → €250 per passenger. 1500-3500 km or intra-EU >1500 km → €400. 3500+ km outside EU → €600. No halving for denied boarding (unlike delay).
3
Demand Art. 8 choice: reimbursement or re-routing
The airline often offers only option 2 (rebooking). Request in writing option 1 (full reimbursement within 7 days) or option 3 (re-routing on a later date of your choice). The choice is YOURS.
4
Demand care under Art. 9
Meal vouchers, 2 phone calls, and for overnight: hotel + transport to/from. Not offered on the spot? Make your own purchases and keep receipts — claim later.
5
Send formal claim within 7 days of returning home
Cite Art. 4 + Art. 7 + Art. 8 + Art. 9 + Finnair ruling C-22/11. Demand compensation + choice + care + additional costs. Our denied-boarding letter (€9.99) does this for you.
6
No response? ILT → Geschillencommissie → cantonal court
Standard escalation. 2-year limitation for EU 261 claims (Art. 8:1835 BW). Statutory interest from due date (Art. 6:119 BW) + procedural costs on favourable ruling.
Ready to claim?
Denied boarding or overbooking? €250–€600 + assistance
Specific EU 261 Art. 4 letter for denied boarding: compensation + reimbursement/re-routing + meals/hotel. Send-ready PDF.
Start — €9,99People also search for
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