If your flight has been overbooked, or if you're told you can't board the plane for another reason, this is known as 'denied boarding'.

Asking for volunteers

Airlines that expect that they'll need to deny boarding to some passengers must first find volunteers to give up their reservation. If there aren't enough volunteers, airlines can deny boarding to passengers who didn't volunteer.

Rights for passengers who have volunteered

If you've volunteered to give up your reservation, you must agree with the airline the compensation you'll receive, such as vouchers.

In addition, you'll be automatically entitled to your choice of either:

• Another flight as soon as possible;
• Another flight at a later date that suits you; or
• A refund (if you choose not to fly) and a free flight back to the airport where you started your journey. The refund must be paid within 7 days and must include the full price of the ticket, and any unused tickets for parts of the journey that weren't made and any tickets that have been used (if the flight no longer serves any purpose in relation to your original travel plans).

Rights for passengers who haven't volunteered

Airlines must give boarding priority to passengers with reduced mobility and any people with them.

If you're denied boarding against your will, you'll be entitled to compensation, as described below. You must have a valid ticket and a confirmed reservation, and have been checked in by the deadline given by the airline.

You'll also be automatically entitled to your choice of either:

• Another flight as soon as possible;
• Another flight at a later date that suits you; or
• A refund (if you choose not to fly) and a free flight back to the airport where you started your journey. The refund must be paid within 7 days and must include the full price of the ticket, and any unused tickets for parts of the journey that weren't made and any tickets that have been used (if the flight no longer serves any purpose in relation to your original travel plans).

If the airline offers a flight from another airport, then it must pay to bring you there.

If you're waiting for another flight, you'll also be entitled to the following:

• Food and drink reasonably related to the waiting time
• Overnight accommodation, such as a hotel, if you're delayed overnight
• Transport between the airport and the place of accommodation (hotel or other)
• 2 telephone calls, emails, faxes or telex messages

If the airline doesn't do this then you're entitled to claim an amount that is appropriate and reasonable for the costs you've incurred. Keep all your receipts.

Compensation

You're entitled to claim compensation at the same levels as set out above in the tables for a flight that was cancelled.