Denied Boarding? Get 400% of Your Ticket Price

Understanding Denied Boarding

Denied boarding occurs when an airline refuses to allow you to board a flight for which you have a valid ticket and have checked in on time. This commonly happens due to overbooking - when airlines sell more tickets than available seats, expecting some passengers to not show up.

Your Compensation Rights Under DGCA

According to DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV, if you are denied boarding involuntarily, you are entitled to:

• Full refund of your ticket price
• Compensation: Up to ₹20,000 OR 400% of the basic fare (whichever is lower)
• Alternative flight: Next available flight to your destination
• Meals and refreshments during the wait
• Hotel accommodation if the alternative flight is the next day

When Airlines Try to Avoid Payment

Airlines may try to:

• Offer vouchers or miles instead of cash compensation
• Claim you "voluntarily" gave up your seat
• Delay processing your claim
• Offer less than the mandated compensation

Remember: You are entitled to cash compensation, not just vouchers. And "voluntary" denied boarding requires your explicit written consent - verbal agreements don't count.

Step-by-Step Claim Process

1. Document Everything: Keep your boarding pass, PNR, ticket receipt, and any communication from the airline about denied boarding.
2. Get Written Confirmation: Request a written statement from the airline confirming you were denied boarding involuntarily.
3. Calculate Your Entitlement: Determine if you're entitled to ₹20,000 or 400% of basic fare (whichever is lower) plus full refund.
4. File a Complaint: Contact the airline's customer service within 7 days, demanding compensation as per DGCA regulations.
5. Send Legal Notice: If the airline doesn't respond or offers less, send a formal legal notice citing DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV.
6. Escalate if Needed: File a complaint with the Air Seva Portal or Consumer Forum if the airline ignores your notice.

Legal Basis for Your Claim

Your right to compensation for denied boarding is protected under:

• DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV: Mandates specific compensation for denied boarding
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Defines denied boarding as "Deficiency of Service"
• Supreme Court Precedents: Multiple judgments have upheld passenger rights in denied boarding cases

Using AirGuard AI to Claim

AirGuard AI simplifies the denied boarding compensation process:

• Automatically calculates your entitlement (₹20,000 or 400% of basic fare)
• Generates a precise legal notice citing DGCA regulations
• Sends the notice directly to the airline's Nodal Officer
• Helps you track the status of your claim