Skip to content
Airplane at the airport

Czech Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation

Czech Airlines denied boarding compensation.

We can also call it Czech Airlines overbooking compensation. Because you can get this compensation if you are denied boarding due to overbooking.

For example, your flight is overbooked. The airline has sold too many tickets. As a result, you have been denied boarding. It may happen. Unfortunately, this is a common practice. At the same time, in Europe, there are laws that protect passengers if this happens. If you have been denied boarding, you have a right to care, and, possibly, to EU denied boarding compensation.

With Czech Airlines, this applies to all flights to and from Europe.

1. Czech Airline Denied Boarding Compensation

Were you denied boarding by Czech Airlines?

What rights do you have?

Are you eligible for Czech Airlines’ denied boarding compensation?

EU and UK laws protect passengers in cases of denied boarding. If you’re flying to or from Europe with Czech Airlines and are involuntarily denied boarding because of overbooking, you might be eligible for flight overbooking compensation (EU denied boarding compensation) up to €600.

This only applies to overbookings.

If you are denied boarding due to something like problems with your travel documents, or visa, you can’t get denied boarding compensation. Also, you can’t get compensation if you voluntarily give up your seat. The latter is known as voluntary denied boarding.

Read more: 

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

1.1 Voluntary Denied Boarding

Your flight has been overbooked; the airline has sold more tickets than available seats on the plane. This is what overbooking is like.

Now, the airline has to look for volunteers who will give up their seats and will agree to fly with a later flight. You too may be asked to give up your seat in exchange for a new flight and oftentimes also an instant compensation in the form of vouchers or cash. If you are offered something like this and you accept it, it’s called voluntary boarding denial.

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

Because you decided to agree to this flight change.

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

1.2 Involuntary Denied Boarding

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

There are not enough volunteers, or no volunteers at all. As a result, the airline has to deny boarding to some of its passengers. If that’s what has happened to you, know that this is called involuntarily denied boarding, and you can get compensation from Czech Airlines.

What happens in case of involuntary denied boarding?

  • The airline has to give you a choice between a new flight and a full refund (you can choose the option that suits you the best);
  • In addition to that, you are entitled to receive care from the airline*;
  • You are entitled to compensation up to €600 per passenger. 

* Czech Airlines must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls or emails. If you have to wait overnight, because the new flight leaves only the next day, Czech Airlines must also provide you with free accommodation and free transfer from and to the airport.

1.3 Right to Care

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

If you have to wait 3 or more hours extra at the airport, you have a right care.

The same applies to flight delays, cancellations, and overbookings.

Czech Airlines must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls or emails. If your flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered. It’s regulated by the law in Europe.

If you agree to this, it won’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

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

Entering hotel room
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

2. How to Claim Czech Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation? How to Claim Flight Overbooking Compensation?

You can claim Czech Airlines denied boarding compensation yourself.

The other option is to work with professionals.

Claiming compensation from Czech Airlines yourself. Reach out to Czech Airlines through the email or contact form on their website, referring to EU Flight Compensation Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. If you’re pursuing compensation on your own, be prepared for it to take several months and require a few reminder emails before receiving your denied boarding compensation from Czech Airlines.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

Submit your Czech Airlines compensation claim through a flight compensation service. It’s simple – just fill out and sign one document. Everything else will be handled for you, including contacting and negotiating with the airline. Our partners provide 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 a number of factors.

If things go smoothly, you might get your money in 2-3 months.

However, it’s not always that easy. Airlines can be uncooperative, leading to delays in receiving your compensation. They may not cooperate or give misleading reasons for delays and cancellations. Being persistent is key when claiming compensation by yourself.

To avoid these issues, consider using a compensation claim company. They can handle the process faster, as they are experts who know exactly what to do.

Euro banknotes
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

3. How Much Is Czech Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation?

The amount of Czech Airlines compensation range from €250 to €600.

The amount depends on the distance of your flight. Here is how you can calculate Czech Airlines denied boarding 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

3.1 Czech Airlines Voucher Code, Discounts or Cash?

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

However, airlines don’t always follow the law. Many take advantage of passengers’ lack of awareness, offering coupons instead of monetary refunds. Czech Airlines, similar to many others, might initially propose a voucher refund. Remember, you’re not obligated to accept a Czech Airlines voucher. Instead, insist on a bank transfer.

Airline compensations and refunds in the EU have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

4. Why Airlines Overbook Their Flights?

The main reason for overbooking flights is to maximize the airline’s revenue.

Flights cost a lot to run, and airlines need to make money to keep going. Airlines overbook flights because they think some people won’t come, and then they can sell those seats to someone else. This way, they can run more smoothly, keep ticket prices down, and have more flights available.

Unfortunately, situations can arise where all passengers arrive for their flight, leading to insufficient seating capacity. In such cases, airlines may offer incentives to passengers, encouraging them to voluntarily give up their seats on overbooked flights. These incentives may be anything from cash rewards, and vouchers for future flights, to even upgrades to premium seating on future flights.

The bottom line is this. If you are denied boarding against your will, and everything is in order with your travel documents, you have a right to compensation.

4.1 How to Avoid Being Denied Boarding on an Overbooked Flight?

There are several ways to avoid being bumped on an overbooked flight.

It’s always a good idea to check in for your flight as early as possible. Airline personnel often choose passengers for involuntary flight removal based on their check-in time. Checking in early boosts your odds of securing a confirmed seat and prevents you from being bumped. Always opt for online check-in to ensure your spot on the flight.

Don’t be the last to board. Getting on the plane early can prevent you from being selected for bumping on a full flight. Airlines usually ask the last passengers who boarded to take a later flight if needed. Arriving at the gate early ensures you’re among the first to board.

Choosing to travel on off-peak days is another way to avoid being bumped on an overbooked flight. During peak travel times like holidays and weekends, flights are often more crowded and overbooked.

Czech Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation: FAQ

My Czech Airlines flight was super cheap. Can I get compensation?

If your flight is eligible for the compensation, then yes.

The price of the ticket doesn’t matter. It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation. Neither does it affect the compensation amount that you can receive. You can get 400 euros even if the ticket was only 40.

Do I need to provide travel insurance to claim European compensation?

Do you need to have insurance to get Czech Airlines compensation? 

No, you don’t need insurance for this. If your flight is eligible for compensation, you don’t need to have anything else, except for a boarding pass and passport or ID.

Can children get compensation from Czech Airlines too?

Can your child get compensation from the airline? Yes!

100%. Because that’s the law, it protects all passengers.

Even infants who have a special infant ticket, theoretically, can get a full compensation from Czech Airlines. Both of you should be getting the same amount — if you are entitled to compensation of 600 euros, your child will be too. 

Can I claim compensation for another person? He/she doesn’t speak English.

Yes, you can. The reason why you are doing this isn’t important here.

Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself, you can help another person to apply for compensation from Czech Airlines. The only thing that they will need to provide is a boarding pass and a passport copy. Also, they might need to sign a couple of forms. 

Can I get compensation for old flights?

It depends on the laws of the country, but yes.

In many European countries, you might get compensation for old or very old flights. If your flight was disrupted due to the airline’s fault 2-3 years ago, you might get compensation for that flight. In some countries, you can get the money also for 6-year-old flights.

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

Czech Airlines is refusing to pay compensation

You think you should be getting it, but the airline says no.

There are two ways how you can proceed. The best option is to hand over your case to a flight compensation company. They will finish the process on your behalf. 

Or you could contact the respective national enforcement body (NEB) 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. Will I receive compensation for that?

No.

You can only get compensation if you have been involuntarily denied boarding because of overbooking. If you are denied boarding due to something else (like problems with your travel documents, or visa), you can’t get denied boarding compensation.

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

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

Is it a Czech Airlines flight? If yes, then yes.

Because you are protected under the EU law on all of its flights. Even on those flights that depart from a country outside the EU. If your Czech Airlines flight is eligible for compensation, you can get compensation, even if your flight departed from a country outside the EU, EEA or UK.

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

Is it a Czech Airlines flight? 

If the answer is yes, then you are protected under the EU law on all of its flights.

I am not a citizen of the EU/UK/EEA. Can I get compensation?

Yes. Because your nationality doesn’t matter.

If you are eligible to compensation, you will get this compensation, no matter your nationality. Regulations 261/2004, and Regulation UK261, protect all passengers —  tourists from overseas and Europeans alike. 

Other Situations

Czech Airlines booked me on a new flight and provided me with a free hotel stay. Can I still get compensated for my disrupted flight?

Yes, you can. Apply for the compensation as soon as possible.

If your flight is eligible for compensation, you can get it even if the airline booked you on a new flight and provided you with a free hotel stay. Accepting these services doesn’t affect your chances of getting the compensation.

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

You might.

If you arrived at least 3 hours later than planned, and the delay/cancellation was due to the fault of the airline, not something unavoidable, you can get full compensation. Accepting the free replacement flight doesn’t affect your chances of getting the compensation.

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *