[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]
[YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]
[DATE]
Customer Relations Department
[AIRLINE NAME]
[AIRLINE MAILING ADDRESS OR CUSTOMER RELATIONS EMAIL]
Re: Demand for Involuntary Denied Boarding Compensation — 14 CFR Part 250
Flight Details:
| Airline / Flight Number: | [AIRLINE NAME] Flight [FLIGHT NUMBER] |
| Date of Travel: | [DATE OF FLIGHT] |
| Origin Airport: | [DEPARTURE AIRPORT — e.g., ORD] |
| Destination Airport: | [DESTINATION AIRPORT — e.g., LAX] |
| Scheduled Departure: | [SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME] |
| Rebooked Arrival Time: | [ACTUAL / REBOOKED ARRIVAL TIME] |
| Delay to Final Destination: | [X hours Y minutes] |
| Ticket Confirmation Number: | [BOOKING / CONFIRMATION NUMBER] |
| One-Way Fare Paid: | $[ONE-WAY FARE AMOUNT] |
Dear Customer Relations Representative:
On [DATE OF FLIGHT], I was involuntarily denied boarding on [AIRLINE NAME] Flight [FLIGHT NUMBER] from [DEPARTURE AIRPORT] to [DESTINATION AIRPORT] due to an oversold flight. I did not volunteer to give up my seat. I held a confirmed reservation and checked in by the required deadline.
As a result of this involuntary denied boarding, I arrived at my final destination approximately [X hours] later than my originally scheduled arrival. Under the Department of Transportation's regulations at 14 CFR Part 250, I am legally entitled to denied boarding compensation as follows:
| Delay to Destination | Compensation (Domestic) | Compensation (International) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 hours (domestic) / 1–4 hours (international) | 200% of one-way fare, up to $775 | 200% of one-way fare, up to $775 |
| More than 2 hours (domestic) / more than 4 hours (international) | 400% of one-way fare, up to $1,550 | 400% of one-way fare, up to $1,550 |
Based on my delay of [X hours] and my one-way fare of $[ONE-WAY FARE], the compensation owed to me under 14 CFR § 250.5 is:
Compensation Demanded: $[AMOUNT — e.g., 400% × fare, capped at $775 or $1,550]
Under 14 CFR § 250.9, I was entitled to receive this compensation in cash or check at the airport on the day of the incident. I am writing because [choose one: this payment was not made at the airport / I was offered only a travel voucher, which I declined in favour of my cash entitlement].
I demand payment of $[AMOUNT] within 30 days of this letter. If I do not receive payment or a substantive written response by [DATE — 30 days from letter date], I will file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation at airconsumer.dot.gov and pursue all available remedies.
Please direct payment by check to my address above or advise me of your preferred payment method.
Sincerely,
[YOUR PRINTED NAME]
Enclosures:
1. Original boarding pass or booking confirmation
2. Written denied boarding notice (if provided by airline)
3. Rebooked flight confirmation
4. [Any written communication from airline regarding the incident]