Norwegian Air Overbooking: How to Get Compensation When Denied Boarding
Getting bumped off a flight while on a tight flight schedule can be a headache and frustrating. If that is your experience with Norwegian Air, you may be eligible for compensation of up to £520. This compensation applies if the carrier overbooked the flight and couldn’t get a seat for you.
Norwegian Air carried 20.6 million passengers in 2023, a 16% increase from its 2022 figures. The carrier also agreed to lease eight Boeing 737 Max 8s earlier in the year to expand its fleet and reduce disruptions. Nevertheless, it still has much to catch up on with its customer service, based on poor ratings on Trustpilot.
As of this writing, we can’t tell how likely getting bumped on a Norwegian Air flight will be. However, we can confidently say that you are eligible for compensation if Norwegian Air overbooking leads to you getting bumped. Our compensation experts at AirAdvisor are ready to help with your claims, even as we explain your rights in this guide.
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All you have to do is submit the application and wait for the compensation to be received.
What Denied Boarding Is and Why Norwegian Air Might Do It
Has a boarding agent ever asked you to wait behind while the carrier arranges another flight for you? Or maybe the boarding agent told you there aren’t any more seats for you and a few other passengers. That is a typical way carriers deny passengers boarding involuntarily.
We will focus on the involuntarily denied boarding from the overselling of tickets. However, carriers can deny passengers boarding for other reasons, some of which have no compensation attached. That is why we often confirm the cause of getting bumped before addressing your compensation claims.
Overbooking happens when a carrier like Norwegian Air sells more tickets than the intended aircraft’s seating capacity. Carriers do this to maximise revenue if some passengers do not show up for the flight. However, some passengers will have to wait behind if everyone shows up.
Norwegian Air claims that it does not typically overbook its flights. So, you shouldn’t encounter an overbooked flight anytime soon. Still, there is nothing to worry about if that happens.
Overbooked flight compensation is available under EU/UK regulations, and you should get it on the same day that Norwegian Air bumped you.
Our compensation experts at AirAdvisor have helped hundreds of thousands of passengers deal with various flight-related issues on different UK airlines. That includes cancellations, delays, baggage claims, refunds, etc. Denied boarding compensation is also one of our specialties, and this guide will teach you everything you need to know.
Regulations and Passenger Rights When Denied Boarding Against Your Will
Carriers can deny you boarding without your consent if ticket overselling is the cause. However, they owe you compensation and support, which includes alternative transport.
Your ticket will still be valid. The only difference is that you will fly on another flight and hopefully arrive within one hour of your original arrival time.
The EU261 regulation covers you if you fly from a UK or EU airport. While this guide will review your passenger rights, we recommend getting professional help when submitting your compensation claims as doing so will smooth out the process and ensure you check all the boxes necessary for compensation approval and payment.
There is no need to be unruly to the boarding agents or Norwegian Air ground staff. Instead, speak calmly and get as much information as possible about your alternative flight or transport. The most important thing is getting you to your destination with as little delay as possible.
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AirAdvisor is happy to help with your claim, so you can avoid the stress of dealing with airlines and complicated laws.
With that in mind, here are your rights when Norwegian Air denies you boarding:
Involuntary Denied Boarding
We expect the Norwegian Air ground staff to provide the necessary information regarding your rights and provisions, but the experience can leave passengers clueless as to the next steps. Here’s what you are entitled to if Norwegian Air bumps you off after overselling its flight:
- The right to compensation: This right involves monetary payment. It is not a refund of your original ticket. Instead, it comes as a compensation package for the disruption to your schedule.
The compensation amount is capped by the EU/UK regulation. Hence, you can complain if Norwegian Air gives you less than the required amount. Our compensation experts at AirAdvisor will help with your claims.
- The right to care: Meals, refreshments, telephone calls, emails, and hotel accommodation are covered under this right. The meals and refreshments depend on how long you wait for your alternative flight. Similarly, the hotel accommodation depends on whether you will spend a night before the alternative flight.
You don’t need to stress yourself over this while waiting. Get meals and refreshments for yourself if your waiting time exceeds 2 hours. Norwegian Air will reimburse your expenses. However, use our expert AirAdvisor compensation service when submitting your claims.
- The right to rebook or refund: Norwegian Air’s rebooking will come at no extra cost. Check your email for the new ticket to know the time or request information from the ground staff. You can change your travel date to another day if you wish. However, this will be subject to seat availability on your preferred flight.
Norwegian Air can refund you the total cost of your unused ticket if you no longer wish to continue. However, you must request that immediately to avoid a rebooking, which comes automatically after getting bumped for overbooking.
Voluntary Denied Boarding
There is compensation if you volunteer to give up your seat. However, the terms will depend on your negotiations with Norwegian Air.
While negotiating, inquire about any restrictions on the compensation. Sometimes, the carrier may provide vouchers but exclude them from use during the holidays.
You still have the right to rebook your flight or get a refund. The rebooking also comes with the right to change the date of your travel. Norwegian Air will fly you under comparable conditions as your original flight. That means you’ll still fly business class if your original ticket was for business class, and so on.
Your Other Rights When Bumped
Getting bumped can be momentarily disorienting. However, our experts can confirm that there is no need to worry.
Request a statement from the carrier stating why you were bumped from the flight. If the reason is that the flight was oversold, contact our compensation experts immediately.
Speed is essential when dealing with these situations to ensure no further disruptions. So, get as much clarity as possible from the Norwegian Air ground staff. We can’t assure stellar customer service, but we certainly hope the carrier responds well to your inquiries.
Your compensation for getting bumped is guaranteed under the law. Nonetheless, you should strive to get your new ticket as quickly as possible.
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Norwegian Air Overbooking: How Much the Carrier Will Pay as Compensation
The table below shows the compensation rate according to the UK EU261 regulation:
Flight Distance | Compensation |
1,500 km or less | £220 |
Between 1,500 km and 3,500 km | £350 |
Over 3,500 km | £520 |
Norwegian Air may reduce the above compensation by half if the new arrival time does not exceed the following:
- Two hours for flights within 1,500 km
- Three hours for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- Four hours for flights above 3,500 km
What to Do When Norwegian Air Bumps You
Follow the steps below:
- Get a written statement on why you were bumped from the flight.
- Gather all your travel-related documents, including email confirmations.
- Check your email for the new ticket or get ground support from the Norwegian Air personnel
- Contact AirAdvisor compensation experts to check the flight and make your claims.
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Exceptions: When Norwegian Air Can Deny You Boarding Without Compensation
If you are wondering if the carrier can deny passengers boarding without compensation, the answer is yes. For example, switching to a smaller aircraft with fewer seats may get passengers bumped without compensation.
Norwegian Air Policy
Denying passengers boarding on the grounds of safety, health, security, or inadequate travel documents comes without compensation. Also, unruly behaviour, like attacking a flight crew member can get a passenger bumped without compensation.
Expert Tips
- Request a copy of your passenger rights when denied boarding involuntarily
- Ensure you don’t pay for meals or refreshments if you have a voucher from the carrier. Use the voucher instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I expect the refund from Norwegian Air?
The refund will come within one week after picking that option. That applies to those who get bumped or volunteer their seats.
Is Norwegian Air allowed to oversell their flights?
The carrier can oversell its flights. However, it must compensate passengers who can’t get seats on the flight.
Denied Boarding Compensation Calculator:
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