Iberia passenger rights
Iberia denied boarding: overbooking compensation
If Iberia refuses to let you board, for example because the flight was overbooked, you can be owed compensation as well as a refund or another flight. Volunteering to give up your seat changes what you're owed.
Rules checked against official sources on Oct 11, 2026
Iberia is licensed in Spain, an EU country, so EU261 covers its flights both departing from and arriving in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, and UK261 covers its flights to and from the UK.
This page covers the law, not airline policy
These rules apply whatever Iberia's own terms say. For Iberia's own policy and official links, see the Iberia page.
Rules that can apply to your Iberia flight
Several sets of rules can apply to the same flight, but you generally can't be compensated twice for the same disruption.
EU Regulation 261/2004
Home rulesApplies to: All of its flights departing the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, and its flights arriving there from elsewhere.
- Involuntary denied boarding (for example overbooking) is compensated unless the airline had reasonable grounds such as health, safety, security or missing travel documents.
- If you are denied boarding you can also choose a refund or re-routing.
- Volunteers receive the benefits they agree with the airline instead of fixed compensation.
- If you accept an alternative flight that arrives within 2, 3 or 4 hours of the original arrival time (by distance band, shortest first), the airline may halve the compensation.
| Flights of 1,500 km or less | €250 |
|---|---|
| Flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km, and flights over 1,500 km between two airports in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland | €400 |
| Other flights over 3,500 km | €600 |
Care while you wait
- Meals and refreshments, and a means of communication.
- Hotel accommodation and transport to it if you have to stay overnight.
How to claim
- Claim directly from the airline that operated the flight, in writing. Keep your booking reference, boarding passes and receipts.
- If the airline refuses or does not reply, complain to the national enforcement body in the country where the incident happened, or use an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme.
- Time limits for court claims are set by national law and differ between countries.
Good to know
- Changes to Regulation 261/2004 have been under negotiation in the EU. At our last review, the rules shown here were the ones in force. Check the official source for updates.
- Distance is the great-circle distance between the first departure and final arrival airports.
Applies to: Its flights departing the UK, and its flights arriving in the UK.
- Involuntary denied boarding (for example overbooking) is compensated unless the airline had reasonable grounds such as health, safety, security or missing travel documents.
- If you are denied boarding you can also choose a refund or re-routing.
- Volunteers receive the benefits they agree with the airline instead of fixed compensation.
- If you accept an alternative flight that arrives within 2, 3 or 4 hours of the original arrival time (by distance band, shortest first), the airline may halve the compensation.
| Flights of 1,500 km or less | £220 |
|---|---|
| Flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km, and flights over 1,500 km within the UK | £350 |
| Other flights over 3,500 km | £520 |
Care while you wait
- Meals and refreshments, and a means of communication.
- Hotel accommodation and transport to it if you have to stay overnight.
How to claim
- Claim from the airline first, in writing.
- If you're not satisfied with the final response, or the airline hasn't replied within 8 weeks, escalate to the airline's approved ADR scheme or to the CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT).
- Court claims in England and Wales are generally subject to a 6-year limitation period (5 years in Scotland).
Good to know
- Distance is the great-circle distance between the first departure and final arrival airports.
- Separate tickets (self-transfer) are assessed flight by flight.
Applies to: Its flights to, from and within Canada.
- Denied boarding for reasons within the airline's control, such as overbooking, attracts compensation, whatever the size of the airline. It is not owed when the reason was required for safety or outside the airline's control.
- The airline must offer alternate arrangements. A refund applies if they don't meet your needs.
- Volunteers receive the benefits they agree with the airline in writing.
| Arriving under 6 hours late | CA$900 |
|---|---|
| Arriving 6 to under 9 hours late | CA$1,800 |
| Arriving 9 or more hours late | CA$2,400 |
Care while you wait
- Food and drink, and access to communication, after a 2-hour wait for disruptions within the airline's control.
- Hotel accommodation if you have to wait overnight, for disruptions within the airline's control.
How to claim
- Send a written compensation request to the airline within one year of the delay or cancellation.
- The airline must pay or explain why it won't within 30 days of receiving your request.
- If you disagree with the response, file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Good to know
- Amendments to the APPR have been proposed. At our last review, the amounts shown here were in force.
- Whether a carrier is 'large' depends on its passenger numbers in the two preceding calendar years.
Applies to: Its flights to, from and within the United States (refunds, not compensation).
- Involuntary denied boarding from an oversold flight can require compensation of a multiple of the one-way fare, subject to caps set by DOT. The amount depends on how late you arrive.
- We don't show the DOT's compensation caps here. Check 14 CFR Part 250 for the current figures.
- If you don't fly, you can ask for a refund of the unused ticket.
- Refunds must be prompt: within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.
Care while you wait
- Meals and hotels are set by each airline's own customer service plan, not by federal law.
How to claim
- Refunds for cancellations and significant changes should be automatic if you decline the alternative. If one doesn't arrive, request it from the airline or ticket agent that took your payment.
- If the airline doesn't resolve it, file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation.
Good to know
- Parts of the DOT refund rules have been under administrative reconsideration. Check the DOT source for the current position.
- Airline vouchers offered instead of a refund are optional; you can insist on the refund.
Applies to: Its flights to, from or within Australia (no fixed compensation scheme).
- At our last review, Australia had no fixed-amount compensation scheme for delays or cancellations like the EU's.
- Under the Australian Consumer Law, services must be provided with due care and within a reasonable time. If a flight isn't provided, you may be entitled to a refund or other remedy, depending on the circumstances and the airline's conditions of carriage.
Care while you wait
- Meals and accommodation depend on the airline's own policies.
How to claim
- Contact the airline in writing and refer to its customer charter and conditions of carriage.
- If unresolved, contact your state or territory consumer protection agency, or the ACCC for information.
Good to know
- The Australian Government has announced reforms to aviation consumer protection. Check the ACCC for the current position.
What to do now
- Before you agree to give up your seat, ask Iberia to confirm in writing what you'll receive. Volunteers get what they agree, not fixed compensation.
- If you're refused boarding against your will, ask for the reason in writing.
- Keep your boarding pass or booking confirmation, and note when you finally arrived.
- Check your route with the flight compensation checker to see which of these rules apply and what they give you.
- Claim from Iberia in writing, and keep a copy. The refund letter generator can draft the request.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Iberia pay if I'm bumped from an overbooked flight?
Under EU261, €250 to €600 per passenger, depending on distance (UK261 has equivalent amounts in pounds). Under Canada's APPR, CA$900 to CA$2,400 depending on how late you arrive. Under US rules, compensation is a multiple of the one-way fare, subject to DOT caps.
What if I volunteered to give up my seat on a Iberia flight?
Volunteers receive the benefits they agree with the airline instead of fixed compensation. Get the agreed benefits in writing before you give up your seat.
Can the airline refuse to board me without paying compensation?
Under EU261 and UK261, yes, when it has reasonable grounds such as health, safety, security or missing travel documents. Under the APPR, compensation isn't owed when the reason was required for safety or outside the airline's control.
Official sources
Spotted an error or outdated information?
Tell us what's wrong and, if you can, link to the official source. Editors review every report under our corrections policy.