AB: Couldn't check in online, denied boarding
Apr 18, 2015, 4:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
AB: Couldn't check in online, denied boarding
Hello
I wanted fly today with airberlin to chicago but when I tried to online check in for the flight I was unable to do so even though I provided visa details and then I was denied boarding. Does it mean my visa has been cancelled or/and I'm on some watchlist?
I wanted fly today with airberlin to chicago but when I tried to online check in for the flight I was unable to do so even though I provided visa details and then I was denied boarding. Does it mean my visa has been cancelled or/and I'm on some watchlist?
Apr 18, 2015, 4:07 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO/CDG
Posts: 320
What did the airline say when they denied you?
Apr 18, 2015, 8:55 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Anyone's guess here based on the limited info you've provided is as good as yours. It doesnt seem like this was an Airberlin issue. Did you have a valid visa?
When they said it "might be about visa", did you follow up at all?
When they said it "might be about visa", did you follow up at all?
Apr 18, 2015, 11:06 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
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Welcome to Flyertalk sadguy. We'll relocate this to the Air Berlin forum for greater exposure. Please note this originated in the Flame Free Information Desk.
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
Apr 19, 2015, 12:55 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: BOS
Posts: 519
U.S.-bound flights have to transmit the passenger manifest to the U.S., to check against no-fly lists, etc, maybe after issuing the boarding pass they realized they had already sent the manifest and it was too late to change it or something.
Apr 19, 2015, 9:10 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
This is the message that I got when trying check in online, I copied it from the airberlin website and tried look it up in google but didn't get anything on it:
It is not possible to Check-in online for this booking. Please proceed to the airport Check-in desks. (NOVALIDTICKETS)
Apr 19, 2015, 6:27 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO/CDG
Posts: 320
This is the message that I got when trying check in online, I copied it from the airberlin website and tried look it up in google but didn't get anything on it:
It is not possible to Check-in online for this booking. Please proceed to the airport Check-in desks. (NOVALIDTICKETS)
Many airlines need to check travel documents before allowing you to check-in/board the flight. This is due to fines levied by the destination country if travelers arrive who are not eligible for entry due to invalid or a lack of documents. The document check can sometimes cause passengers to be unable to fully check-in online and may require them to use a kiosk at the airport to complete check-in and receive boarding passes.
It seems strange that airberlin would let you board the aircraft if all of your documents were not in order. I would contact airberlin, as it is not clear what the reason was for your deplaning.
Apr 19, 2015, 11:43 pm
#12
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
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AB: Couldn't check in online, denied boarding
Apr 20, 2015, 3:40 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: BOS
Posts: 519
The error message is terrible, but you can't check-in online for flights bound to the U.S. on airberlin. You can still provide advance passenger information like your passport and stuff, which is what I imagine the problem might have been when you were pulled off the plane. But it could have been any number of reasons, as others mentioned, depending on your visa situation and nationality.
All we can do is guess, you'd really be better off asking airberlin... and really should have asked at the time.
If they issued you a boarding pass and later denied boarding, you may very well be due EU compensation, depending on the situation.
Apr 20, 2015, 8:18 am
#14
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AB: Couldn't check in online, denied boarding
As scottpenderson indicated, it appears the check-in window for US bound flights closes several hours prior to departure.
OP should provide more information. Let's say they mistakenly board you but then realize you didn't have a ESTA or visa, I don't see any EC 261/2004 compensation being due.
Last edited by seawolf; Apr 20, 2015 at 8:24 am
Apr 20, 2015, 9:17 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Berlin
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Posts: 814
Post 1: "tried OLCI but denied boarding"
Post 5 "Bit late at a gate that was closed", "given BP", "in his/her seat but then taken off" Sounds a bit strange and, to me at least, doesn't suggest that any rights the OP had were denied.
And the issue of nationality (visa y/n/, visa waiver/, ESTA) addressed up-thread has also not been responded to