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Brussels Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation

Brussels Airlines overbooking compensation / denied boarding compensation.

How much is flight overbooking compensation? Rules? How to get it?

In Europe, passengers are protected against flight overbooking. If your Brussels Airlines flight is overbooked, and as a result you are denied boarding, you are entitled to receive care from the airline. And in some situations, you might be entitled to receive EU denied boarding compensation.

There are two ways you can claim this compensation.

What Are the Reasons for Denied Boarding?

Let’s look at some of the reasons why passengers get denied boarding on flights.

1. Overbooking

Overbooking occurs when an airline sells more tickets than the actual number of seats on the flight. This means that there are technically more passengers than seats available. Airlines overbook flights to account for the number of no-shows and cancellations.

However, in some cases, all passengers do show up for their flight, leading to denied boarding for some individuals.

In this article, we will focus on overbooking and your rights in case of overbooking.

2. Documentation and Identification Issues

One of the most common reasons for denied boarding is issues with documentation and identification. Passport expiration, visa requirements, and visa restrictions are some of the reasons why passengers may not be allowed to board their flight.

Before traveling, ensure that all your travel documents are up-to-date, and you have met all the necessary requirements.

3. Security Concerns

Airline officials have the right to deny boarding for passengers if they pose a security risk.

Passengers may be denied boarding if they exhibit suspicious behavior, refuse to be screened, or carry prohibited items. Remember to always pack accordingly and abide by the airport’s security regulations.

4. Late Arrival

Arriving at the airport late can lead to denied boarding.

Airlines have strict boarding procedures, and passengers should arrive at the airport in good time. Late arrivals can cause delays and inconvenience other passengers who have arrived early.

1. Brussels Airlines Overbooking Compensation: EU Denied Boarding Regulations

In this article, we will focus on overbooking and your rights in case of overbooking.

Have you been denied boarding by Brussels Airlines? What are your rights? Will you be booked on a new flight? Can you get a refund instead? In which situations are you entitled to Brussels Airlines denied boarding compensation? When it comes to denied boarding, the rules are very simple. You are protected under the EU law.

If you’re flying with Brussels Airlines, and you are denied boarding due to overbooking you might be entitled to flight overbooking compensation (EU denied boarding compensation) of up to €600. All passengers who are denied boarding are entitled to receive care from the airline. 

This only applies to overbookings.

The EU regulations apply only to situations when you are denied boarding due to overbooking. You can’t get compensation if you are denied boarding due to visa/passport issues. Also you can’t get compensation if you are denied boarding voluntarily, but you are still entitled to receive care from the airline. 

Read more: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004Regulation UK261

1.1 Voluntary Denied Boarding

There are two types of denied boarding. 

The main difference is — are you entitled to compensation? If you are denied boarding voluntarily, you can’t get compensation. What is voluntary denied boarding?

If you give up your seat and agree to travel later, it is voluntary denied boarding. When a flight is overbooked, and there are not enough seats, the airline will look for volunteers who are ready to give up their seats and travel later. They are provided with a new flight (for free), instant compensation (cash or vouchers) and, in case of a long wait, a free hotel stay.

If your flight is overbooked, you may be asked to give up your seat in exchange for a new flight and instant compensation. If you are offered compensation like this and you accept it, you are denied boarding voluntarily

In this case, you aren’t entitled to denied boarding compensation from Brussels Airlines.

You don’t have to agree to an offer like this.

1.2 Involuntary Denied Boarding

There are situations when passengers don’t have a choice.

If you didn’t agree to give up your seat and travel later, but you were still denied boarding, it’s called involuntary denied boarding.

You can get Brussels Airlines denied boarding compensation if you were denied boarding involuntarily. What are you entitled to in case of involuntary denied boarding?

  • The airline must provide you with a new flight or give you a full refund;
  • In addition to that, you are entitled to receive care from the airline*;
  • You are entitled to compensation of up to €600 per passenger. 

* Brussels Airlines must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If you have to wait overnight, Brussels Airlines must provide you with free accommodation and free transfer from and to the airport.

1.3 Right to Care

All passengers travelling with Brussels Airlines have a right to care.

If you have to wait at the airport for a replacement flight, you have a right to receive care. It doesn’t matter if it’s voluntary or involuntary denied boarding. 

If the waiting time is 3+ hours, you are entitled to receive certain services for free.

What does it mean for you as a passenger?

Brussels Airlines must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, Brussels Airlines must offer you a free hotel stay and a free transfer. 

Contact the airline if you haven’t been offered anything.

Entering hotel room
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

2. How to Claim Brussels Airlines Flight Compensation? How to Claim Flight Overbooking Compensation?

You can claim Brussels Airlines denied boarding compensation yourself.

The other option is to work with professionals.

Claiming compensation from Brussels Airlines yourself. Contact Brussels Airlines customer support center using the contact form on the airline’s website. Fill in the form, providing details about your flight. Refer to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and request flight overbooking compensation. Keep in mind that the claim process might take a while.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

Register your Brussels Airlines compensation claim with the help of a flight compensation company. In this case, you don’t have to do much. You need to fill in one form, and the rest will be done by the flight compensation company.

Our partners offer such services.

When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:

Go to
this page

Fill in a claim form

Upload documents*

Sign online

And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.

* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.

Read more:

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

It depends on the airline.

If the airline cooperates, you might receive your compensation after 2-3 months.

If there are some problems with the compensation claim process, it will take more than that. If the airline refuses to cooperate or wrongly denies your claim, you might need to take extra steps to get denied boarding compensation Brussels Airlines owes you. 

Most people receive compensation in a few months.

Euro banknotes
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

3. How Much Can You Claim?

In the EU compensation amounts are fixed.

In most situations they range from €250 to €600.

Here is how you can calculate Brussels Airlines compensation yourself:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

€250

If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km

€400

If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

€250

If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km

€400

If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km

€600

If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

If you are claiming compensation on your own, it is crucial to request the correct amount to ensure you receive the full entitlement. Otherwise, the airline may offer a lower payment than what you are rightfully owed. Remember, you are not obligated to accept any amount that is less than what you are entitled to.

3.1 Brussels Airlines Voucher Code, Discounts or Cash?

According to the law, compensations have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

If you are offered a Brussels Airlines voucher instead of money or bank transfer, you don’t have to agree to it. Ask for a bank transfer instead. 

Brussels Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation: FAQ

My flight was cheap. Am I still entitled to compensation?

Yes. The price of the ticket doesn’t matter.

The cheap price of your ticket doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation. Nor it affects the compensation amount.

Do I need to have travel insurance to claim compensation?

No, you don’t. 

You can get compensation even if you don’t have insurance.

Can my child get compensation from Brussels Airlines?

Yes.

The age of the passenger doesn’t matter. Kids can get compensation, too. Even infants who are travelling with a special infant ticket. 

If you are entitled to compensation, your child is, too.

Your child will get the same amount. 

Can I claim compensation for another person?

Yes, you can.

Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself.

You can file a compensation for your friend, family member or relative, as long as they provide you with a copy of their boarding pass and passport.

How far back can I claim compensation?

It depends on the laws of the country.

In Europe, in most cases, you can claim compensation even for old flights.

If your flight was 2-3 years ago, you still might be able to make a claim.

What to do if Brussels Airlines is refusing to pay compensation?

Brussels Airlines is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it. 

What to do in such a situation? The best way is to hand over your case to a flight compensation company. They will continue the process on your behalf. 

Alternatively, you may contact the respective national enforcement body and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states.

Problems With Visa or Passport

I was denied boarding due to issues with my visa / passport. Am I entitled to compensation?

No. You can’t get compensation if you are denied boarding due to your own fault. 

You can get compensation only if you have been involuntarily denied boarding because of overbooking. 

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?

If you are traveling with Brussels Airlines, and your flight is eligible, then yes, you can. You are protected on all Brussels Airlines flights. 

I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?

If you are traveling with Brussels Airlines, you can.

I am not from Europe. Can I get compensation?

Yes. You can get compensation even if you are not European. 

The Regulation 261/2004 protects all passengers.

Other Situations

Brussels Airlines provided me with a free hotel room and a free flight to my destination. Can I still get compensated for the delay?

Yes. 

If your flight is eligible to compensation, you can get it even if you have accepted a replacement flight and free hotel stay.

Brussels Airlines took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?

Yes.

If your flight is eligible to compensation, you can get it even if you have accepted a replacement flight from Brussels Airlines.

What is your experience? Have you ever received Brussels Airlines overbooking compensation? Do you still have questions about Brussels Airlines compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.

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