You paid for Business.
You sat in Economy.
EC 261 Article 10 mandates a refund of 30% to 75% of your total ticket price if you were involuntarily downgraded.
Mandatory Refund Amounts (Article 10)
| Flight Distance | Refund % | On €2,000 Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Short-haul (Up to 1,500km) | 30% | €600 |
| Medium-haul (1,500–3,500km) | 50% | €1,000 |
| Long-haul (Over 3,500km) | 75% | €1,500 |
Airline Offer
€150
Legal Entitlement
€900
The Logic Gap
Airlines refund the upgrade fee. Law mandates a % of the full fare.
The Article 10 Calculation Gap
Most passengers are unaware that Article 10 of EC 261/2004 uses the entire ticket price as the basis for the refund.
The Airline Way
"We'll refund you the difference between Business and Economy class fees." (Often just €100–€200)
The SkyVolo Way
"You are owed 75% of your total flight cost because you didn't receive the service you paid for." (Often €1,000+)
No "Extraordinary Circumstances" Defence
Unlike flight delays or cancellations, Article 10 refunds are absolute. The reason for the downgrade does not matter.
Aircraft Swap
Smaller plane with no Business Class? You are still owed the refund.
Overbooking
Airline over-sold the premium cabin? Your refund is legally mandatory.
100%
Protected
The "Combo Claim" Power Play
If your flight was also delayed or cancelled, you can claim Article 7 compensation (up to €600) on top of your Article 10 downgrade refund.
A business traveller on a delayed 10-hour flight can often recover €2,000+ per ticket using this dual-claim strategy.
Downgrade Refund FAQs
Specific answers for premium cabin passengers.
Calculate your downgrade refund
Enter your flight details. Our calculator handles the Article 10 formula automatically.
Check My Refund