Airline Ryanair

Although based in Ireland, Ryanair is an airline that has quickly established itself across Europe. Founded in 1985, it is now one of the largest airlines in Europe.

Ryanair has imposed its business model in civil aviation: the low cost model. The principle is simple: minimal service to ensure the best possible price. A Ryanair flight is a ticket that gets you from A to B. And that's it. Everything else, like meals and checked baggage, comes at an extra cost.

This reduced service has ensured Ryanair's profitability, but the downside is a limited customer service. Therefore, it can sometimes be challenging to enforce your rights with this airline. However, there is a legal framework that even Ryanair must adhere to.

Ryanair aircraft in flight

Is it possible to request a flight refund from Ryanair?

By default, Ryanair tickets are non-refundable, with a few exceptions. Unlike other airlines, Ryanair does not reassign your seat to another traveller. If you choose to cancel your trip, no one will take your place.

You are only entitled to a refund in two situations:

  • Serious illness
  •  Death (yours, or that of a close relative)

In any other situation, you may still be able to recover the airport taxes by selecting "Request a refund of the government tax (unused flight)."

If Ryanair cancels your flight, the situation is different. As an Irish airline, it is subject to the European regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.

This regulation outlines situations where passengers are entitled to compensation or a refund.

Under this regulation, your ticket is refundable:

  • If your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours
  •  If your flight is cancelled without a near-schedule rerouting
  •  If you are denied boarding without a near-schedule rerouting

What are your rights in case of flight disruption with Ryanair?

Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 imposes certain obligations on the airline.

The airline must:

  • Provide you with food and drinks in case of significant delay
  •  Cover accommodation costs if you need to stay overnight
  •  Cover the cost of phone calls you need to make (you are entitled to two calls)
  •  In case of cancellation or denied boarding, reroute you within a reasonable time

What is the amount of compensation?

Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 provides a fixed compensation scale if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked. The compensation is:

  • €250 for flights less than 1500 km with a delay of 2 hours or more
  •  €400 for non-EU flights between 1500 and 3500 km or EU flights over 3500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more
  •  €600 for non-EU flights over 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more

What types of flights are covered by the European regulation?

Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 applies to several types of flights:

  • Any flight departing from an airport in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, or Iceland
  •  Any flight arriving at an airport in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, or Iceland operated by an airline from one of these countries

Ryanair is a European airline, so it is covered by this second point. All its flights depart from or arrive at a European airport. They are therefore all covered by this regulation.

which ryanair flights are covered by the european regulation

What if Ryanair staff go on strike?

Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 outlines situations where compensation is not required. Strikes are one of these situations.

Strikes are considered an exceptional circumstance that releases the airline from its responsibilities. However, this refers to strikes by third-party staff: air traffic controllers, baggage handlers, etc.

But if Ryanair's own staff go on strike, the airline is responsible. Compensation is therefore due.

A Ryanair flight is delayed, can you be compensated?

In case of a delay, compensation becomes due if the delay exceeds the specified thresholds. If your delay is less than 2 hours, you are not eligible for compensation.

Beyond 2 hours, it will depend on the distance travelled.

Your Ryanair flight is cancelled, what should you do?

In the event of a cancelled flight, it depends on the length of your flight and the extent of the delay caused.

A cancellation means the complete removal of a flight. To reroute passengers, the airline will arrange a replacement flight or redirect you to another flight.

If it is, it may still be subject to a reduction if the delay remains reasonable. Thus, it changes from:

  • €250 to €125 for flights less than 1500 km with a delay of less than 2 hours
  •  €400 to €200 for EU flights of 1500 km and more or non-EU flights between 1500 and 3500 km with a delay of less than 3 hours
  •  €600 to €300 for non-EU flights over 3500 km with a delay of less than 4 hours

How to get compensation for overbooking with Ryanair?

If your flight is  overbooked, the airline may deny you boarding due to lack of available seats. In this case, they must reroute you.

In the event of overbooking, the airline is responsible. They must compensate you, no matter what. In this case, the fixed compensation scale applies, with the same reduction system as for a cancellation.

What to do in case of a flight issue with Ryanair?

You may encounter various types of issues during your journey.

Generally, you will learn about a cancellation or delay through airport displays. The airline may also notify you by email the day before.

In case of overbooking, you will only find out at boarding.

In any case, your point of contact remains Ryanair. The procedure is as follows. You should request:

  • The reason for the incident
  •  The solutions offered by the airline
  •  Coverage of incurred expenses (meals, phone calls, accommodation)
  •  The procedure for claiming compensation

For this last point, you will likely be directed to Ryanair's online claim form. You have at least 2 years to make your claim. However, some member states have longer time limits.

A flight disruption with Ryanair? Delayed can assist you with your claims

Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 guarantees you certain rights. As a European airline, Ryanair is obliged to comply with them.

But it is not always easy to enforce your rights. Delayed, a specialist in air passenger rights, supports you in your claims.

Contact us and claim up to €600 on your flight ticket.

Claim my Ryanair compensation

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Straightforward answers to help you understand your rights and prepare your claim.

How do I open a dispute or claim with Ryanair?

Start with the relevant help section or form in your myRyanair account. Give the booking reference, flight, date, disruption and requested outcome: refund, expenses or compensation. Attach supporting documents from the outset and keep the case reference.

Some requests can be tracked under “My support cases”. If the answer is missing or unsatisfactory, use Ryanair’s stated review route and then the competent national body or applicable alternative-dispute scheme. Open Ryanair’s official claim guidance.

What evidence do I need for a Ryanair claim?

Prepare the booking confirmation, flight number and date, any boarding passes, and delay or cancellation messages. For a delay, record the actual arrival time at the final destination; for a cancellation, keep the date you were told and the replacement offered.

Add itemised receipts for meals, hotel or transfers if claiming expenses. App screenshots, emails and Ryanair’s written response can complete the file. Avoid sending sensitive data unless the official channel specifically requires it.

Why does Ryanair sometimes refuse a refund?

A Ryanair ticket is generally non-refundable when the flight operated and the passenger simply chose not to travel. By contrast, an airline cancellation, a departure delay of at least five hours or denied boarding can create a refund right, depending on the circumstances.

A refusal may also concern the option selected, missing information or a booking through an intermediary that first needs customer verification or must return the money. Ask for the exact reason and distinguish ticket refund, care expenses and flat-rate compensation. Read Ryanair’s official refund rules.

Does Ryanair pay compensation for a delayed flight?

Yes, where the conditions of the EU Regulation are met. The flight must be covered, arrival at the final destination must be at least three hours late, and Ryanair must not prove extraordinary circumstances that reasonable measures could not have avoided.

The amount is not Ryanair-specific: it is normally €250, €400 or €600 according to distance and journey category. Care during the wait and repayment of reasonable unsupported expenses are separate rights.