Renowned for its impeccable customer service and an extensive global network, Qatar Airways has always been a top choice for travelers traversing international borders. Their state-of-the-art amenities as well as efficient operations also make them a worthy contender for passengers who like to indulge in comfortable journeys. However, even the most reputable airlines can encounter situations that lead to involuntary denial of boarding, ultimately disrupting travel plans and causing significant inconvenience.
Involuntary denial of boarding, while relatively uncommon, can arise due to various reasons, most commonly being logistical and security concerns. Logistical issues primarily include cases of overbooking or having fewer passengers showing up for the flight than the number of passengers originally checked in. And then you have security concerns, which include acts of God (natural disasters) or scenarios where operating a flight would mean the loss of precious lives. On the other hand, voluntary denial of boarding may also take place due to documentation issues (on the part of the passenger) or disruptive behavior of the passenger(s). In such cases, generally no compensation is provided.
Having said that, if you have been denied boarding involuntarily on a flight that was set to take off from the United States, courtesy of Qatar Airways, then be sure to follow our extensive guide to learn the eligibility conditions and how you can claim compensation for your travel difficulties.
What You Should Know
It is never in the best interests of Qatar Airways to cause inconvenience to its customers by denying boarding, especially when they hold confirmed flight reservations. However, there can be moments when, due to operational requirements and a varying degree of ‘no-show’ or ‘absent’ passengers, you may not be accommodated on your booked flight.
Usually, boarding is denied by Qatar Airways in a situation where the number of seats occupied on the flight is less than the number of passengers who have checked in within the necessary time limit and hold confirmed reservations (including valid documentation). As a result, the airline operator will first solicit volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation. But if the minimum number of volunteers required is not enough, then boarding will be denied ‘involuntarily’ to passengers holding a confirmed reservation.
Additionally, situations that are outside the control of the airline operator, such as war or political instability, meteorological conditions or natural disasters, illegal acts or sabotage, etc., that make safe operation of aircraft impossible, boarding will be denied involuntarily as well.
When denied boarding involuntarily, Qatar Airways will provide passengers with the following information: reason for denial of boarding; the amount of compensation that the passenger might be entitled to receive for the inconvenience; standard treatment for passengers; and any other essential information. Standard treatment in this case includes complimentary food and drinks (taking into account the length of delay, time of the day, and location of the passenger), providing access to communication, and overnight accommodations and round-trip transportation for the same.
What to Expect from the Airline
Qatar Airways states that in addition to the aforementioned assistance for involuntary denial of boarding, passengers will also receive offers to make alternate travel arrangements at no extra charge. To do that, Qatar Airways will either book a flight on its network or any other airline (with which the company has a commercial agreement) within 9 hours of the departure time of your original ticket or a flight with another airline within 48 hours of the departure time of your original ticket.
In any case, if the above-mentioned scenario does not work out for any passenger, then refunds will be issued to the passenger (either full refunds or only for the unused portion of the ticket). The value of the unused portion of the ticket will be determined by – either the value of a one-way fare, after deducting discounts and charges, from the point of interruption to the final destination – or the difference in value between the fare paid and the fare for the transportation used.
How to Claim Compensation
If you have been denied boarding involuntarily on a Qatar Airways flight in the United States and are looking to claim compensation for your delayed journey, then you can follow the below-mentioned steps for your next course of action.
- Start by first giving a phone call to the customer support team at +1 877 777 2827. Phone lines are available round the clock.
- Navigate through the on-call menus and select the option to speak to a customer care executive.
- Once a customer support agent connects to your call, state that your flight boarding was denied involuntarily, and then provide your ticket number and/or booking number to the person concerned for an immediate inquiry.
- The customer support agent will then assist you in obtaining a robust solution for continuing your journey, as well as guide you properly to contact the necessary authorities for claiming your rightful compensation.
