Ryanair Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Yurii Semikopenko
07.08.2024

Coping with flight problems can be very annoying. However, the good news is that the European Union has laws to support travelers when things don’t go as planned. If you’re traveling by air in the EU, it’s smart to know about these protections. They can help you out if your flight goes off course.

Knowing what you’re entitled to can make managing travel complications much easier. While it won’t speed up your journey, it can make you more relaxed when things go wrong.

Passenger Rights under EU Regulation 261/2004

EU air passengers are protected if their flight experiences difficulties. EU laws make sure airlines assist their passengers when things go wrong.

When flights are delayed or cancelled, airlines must provide you:

  • Refreshments and snacks
  • Accommodation if you’re stuck overnight
  • Transportation to and from the hotel
  • Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes

If you’re delayed for a long time or your flight is cancelled, you might also get:

  • A refund
  • An alternative flight
  • Compensation to make up for the inconvenience

Remember to ask airline workers about these things if your plans change. They have to tell you about your rights when there’s a significant delay or cancellation.

Ryanair Flight Delay Compensation

Delays with flights from Ryanair can be really annoying. However there’s a bright side: if you’re stranded for more than three hours owing to the airline’s fault, you might be able to get some compensation.

Laws in the UK and EU are on your side. You could receive up to €600 per person. What counts is when you land, not when you take off. So keep an eye on your arrival time if you want to seek flight delay compensation.

Your compensation depends on how far you’re flying. A short flight won’t yield as much as a longer flight, even if they’re both delayed for the same duration.

Interested in learning exactly how much you could get? Check out the table below to see the potential reimbursement amounts:

Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursDistance
€0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km
€0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation

The EU has laws to assist you in case of flight cancellation. Here’s what you need to know:

If your flight is cancelled less than two weeks before your scheduled departure, you may be entitled to compensation up to €600. But keep in mind – the airline can avoid paying if they can get you on another flight that doesn’t significantly disrupt your travel.

The carrier can bypass compensation if they provide an alternative flight that meets the following conditions:

Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

If you accept another flight from the airline, you can still get compensation. The most important thing is your arrival time at your destination.

Your potential compensation is determined by two things:

  1. How far you’re flying
  2. The delay in your arrival

As a result, even if the new flight doesn’t get there on time, you may still receive some compensation.

Refer to the table below to understand better:

Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance
€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less
€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

The airline may not need to compensate you if they can provide transportation to your destination, close to the original schedule. Even if you’re just a little late, you might not be entitled to flight cancellation compensation.

How to Claim Compensation from Ryanair

It’s essential to understand how to request the compensation you’re eligible for under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
  • Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

Remember that it is your right as a passenger to claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. No matter whether your flight was delayed because of operational issues or technical difficulties, if it was not caused by extraordinary circumstances including adverse weather conditions or air traffic control decisions, you have a right to compensation.

Which Ryanair Flights are Covered by EU261?

The air passenger protection regulations of the European Union have a wide-ranging scope. They cover all flights departing from an airport in an EU member state and to all flights arriving at an airport in an EU member state when an EU-based airline operates the flight.

ItineraryCovered by EU 261
Flights departing EU airports✅ Covered
Flights arriving at EU airports✅ Covered

These regulations also cover airlines from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This means if you’re flying with any airline within, to, or from Europe, you likely have these rights. It’s helpful to know about these laws – they’re there to help you if something goes wrong with your flight. They make sure you’re not left on your own when your travel plans fall through.

When You Are Not Entitled to Compensation

Ryanair isn’t necessarily at fault when flights are delayed or cancelled. Occasionally, situations arise that the airline is powerless against, like severe weather conditions or unforeseen issues.

For example, if there’s a sudden storm, an emergency at the airport, or air traffic controllers go on strike, Ryanair cannot be held accountable. These are called “extraordinary circumstances” that the airline has no control over.

When these events take place, you are unlikely to get any compensation. The airline is not considered to be doing anything wrong when these unexpected issues arise.

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