Denied Boarding Compensation (DBC)

Denied Boarding Compensation (DBC) is the compensation provided to passengers who are involuntarily bumped from a flight. Airlines often overbook flights to account for no-shows. When more passengers show up than there are available seats, some may be denied boarding.

DBC protects travelers’ rights and ensures fair reimbursement for the inconvenience caused by the airline. It typically includes monetary compensation or vouchers. 

In addition, airlines may rebook denied passengers on the next available flight at no additional cost. If the next available flight is significantly delayed (e.g., overnight), airlines may provide hotel accommodations and meal vouchers as part of the compensation package.

Overbooking regulations in different regions dictate the conditions of compensation. For example, in the US, no compensation is required for delays of up to 1 hour. For a 1-2 hour domestic delay (or 1-4 hours internationally), compensation is 200 percent, capped at $775. For delays over 2 hours domestically (or 4 hours internationally), DBC increases to 400 percent, with a maximum payout of $1,550.