What should I record if boarding is refused?

Flight claim guidance

Denied Boarding or Overbooked Flight?

If you were refused boarding despite having a valid booking, a clear letter can help explain the circumstances and request the correct response from the airline.

✅ You had a valid booking and arrived on time ✅ The flight may have been overbooked ✅ You were moved to a later flight ✅ You need to explain the loss and disruption clearly

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Why this matters

A focused letter helps present the dates, reference numbers, evidence and requested outcome in a way the company can review more easily.

What to gather

Keep booking records, receipts, screenshots, emails, reference numbers, photographs and any complaint replies connected to the issue.

Flight claim support

Prepare the issue clearly before you submit

If you were refused boarding despite having a valid booking, a clear letter can help explain the circumstances and request the correct response from the airline.

The free tool is designed to help you set out the issue, evidence and requested outcome without needing to start a full guided review.

Related flight claim support pages

Flight Delayed?

If your flight arrived late and the airline has not resolved your complaint, a clear compensation letter can help you present the delay, route and evidence properly.

Read this guide →

Flight Cancelled?

If your flight was cancelled, rerouted or replaced with poor alternatives, a structured letter can help set out what happened and what outcome you are seeking.

Read this guide →

Main Flight claim page

Return to the main guide and start point for this topic.

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Frequently asked questions

Common questions

Keep boarding passes, booking records, staff notes, replacement flight details and any written reason given by the airline.

It can in some circumstances, depending on the reason, route, timing and whether you were properly assisted.

Take the next step

Generate My Flight Claim Letter

Use the dedicated free form so your information is structured around this exact issue.

Generate My Flight Claim Letter

Denied boarding evidence

What to include when you were denied boarding

Denied boarding claims often depend on whether you checked in on time, had valid travel documents, and whether the airline refused boarding because of overbooking or another operational issue.

Proof you were ready to travel

Boarding passes, check-in confirmations, passport/visa evidence and airport arrival timing can support the letter.

Airline explanation at the gate

Write down what staff said, whether volunteers were requested and whether overbooking was mentioned.

Replacement journey and expenses

Keep details of the alternative flight, delay on arrival, food, transport and accommodation costs.

Related guidance

More airline disruption support

Free flight claim tool

Use the free tool to generate structured airline claim paperwork.

Flight delay compensation letter

Useful if denied boarding led to delay or rerouting costs.

Complaint letter help

Prepare a broader consumer complaint where airline replies are incomplete.

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Request a call back about Denied Boarding Compensation Letter

If you do not want to complete the full review form yet, leave your details and our intake team can call you back.

This is useful if you are unsure which documents matter, whether the issue fits, or what the next step should be.