Denied boarding compensation is money an airline owes you when it refuses to carry you on a flight even though you hold a confirmed ticket and reported on time. In India, the rules come from the DGCA. Here is how much you can claim, when you get nothing, and how to complain.
Quick answer
- The airline must first ask for volunteers.
- Alternate flight within 1 hour: no compensation.
- Alternate flight within 24 hours: 200% of the basic fare plus fuel charge, capped at ₹10,000.
- Alternate flight after more than 24 hours: 400%, capped at ₹20,000.
- If you refuse the alternate flight: full refund plus the same 400%, capped at ₹20,000.
What counts as denied boarding
The DGCA defines it as refusing to carry a passenger who has a confirmed ticket and reported within the airline’s check-in time. This happens most often when a flight is overbooked. The rules sit in the DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirement for passenger facilitation, Section 3, Series M, Part IV.
The airline can still refuse you on reasonable grounds. These include health, safety, security or inadequate travel documents. So a missing ID is not a case for compensation.
How much denied boarding compensation you get
The amount depends on when the airline gets you onto another flight. The figures below come from the DGCA’s text, as reproduced in a copy of the CAR on denied boarding, and match a Wego summary of the current rules.
| Your situation | What you get |
|---|---|
| Alternate flight within 1 hour of original departure | No compensation |
| Alternate flight within 24 hours | 200% of one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge, up to ₹10,000 |
| Alternate flight after 24 hours | 400% of the same amount, up to ₹20,000 |
| You decline the alternate flight | Full ticket refund plus 400%, up to ₹20,000 |
For example, say your basic fare plus fuel charge is ₹4,000 and you fly out five hours late. Then 200% is ₹8,000, which is under the ₹10,000 cap. That is what the airline owes.
How the airline must pay
Payment can be in cash or by bank transfer. A travel voucher is allowed only if you have agreed to it in writing. So do not sign for a voucher unless you actually want one.
Meanwhile, the airline must also provide free meals and refreshments. If you have to wait overnight, it must arrange a hotel and transfers. Passengers with reduced mobility need extra attention.
Connecting flights
If denied boarding on the first leg makes you miss the rest of your journey, the rule looks at your final arrival. The airline operating the first flight pays compensation for that leg if you reach your final destination at least three hours late. So keep a record of your actual arrival time.
How to claim denied boarding compensation
Follow this order, which the CAR sets out.
- Complain to the airline and ask for a complaint reference number.
- If it does not resolve the matter, file a complaint on AirSewa, the government’s grievance portal.
- You can also approach a consumer forum or a court.
Keep your ticket or boarding pass, the airline’s message about the denial, receipts and the reference number. Also note the time of your alternate flight. The CAR sets no specific deadline for this claim, but sooner is easier.
Other flight problems
Delays and cancellations follow different rules. For cancellations, our guide to the 48 hour flight cancellation rule explains free changes. For foggy winter days, see flight delay fog rules. Remember to check the DGCA website for the latest version of the CAR.
FAQ
How much is denied boarding compensation in India?
It is 200% of the basic fare plus fuel charge, up to ₹10,000, if you fly within 24 hours. After that, it is 400%, up to ₹20,000.
Do I get anything if the next flight is within an hour?
No. The rule gives no compensation if the alternate flight leaves within one hour of the original.
Where do I complain if the airline refuses to pay?
Complain to the airline first, then to AirSewa. You can also go to a consumer forum or court.
