Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation

How to get Ryanair flight cancellation compensation?

What to do if your Ryanair flight is cancelled?

What are your rights if you miss a connecting flight with Ryanair?

If your flight gets cancelled, the airline must provide you with the option of a new flight or a full refund. You can pick either one. Also, if your flight is cancelled within 2 weeks of the departure date due to the airline’s fault, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation in addition to the refund or new flight. Opting for a refund doesn’t mean you give up your right to compensation. These rights are guaranteed to all Ryanair passengers.

Make sure to share your own experience with Ryanair in the comments, if you have ever experienced a Ryanair flight delay, cancellation, or overbooking.

Continue reading to learn what are your rights if flight is cancelled.

Check flight compensation online.

Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation: UK, EU Rules

Can you get compensation for a cancelled flight?

UK/EU flight cancellation compensation rules are specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation, you are not entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
• In other situations, you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation, you are not entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
• In other situations, you are entitled to compensation.

Ryanair flight cancellation compensation has to be paid to your bank account or in cash. You don’t have to accept any vouchers from Ryanair.

If your Ryanair flight is cancelled, you have the right to compensation if:

• The flight is cancelled at the last minute (0-14 days before the departure date);
• The flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault such as technical issues;
• The flight is from/to/within Europe.

What is the amount of compensation? Refer to the flight cancellation compensation calculator provided below.

If your Ryanair flight is delayed, you may be entitled to Ryanair flight delay compensation.

By Europe, European Union and EU here on this website we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This is where these European regulations work.

European Flight Cancellation Compensation Calculator (for All Airlines, Not Just Ryanair)

How much can you claim for a flight with a European airline?

How much is Ryanair flight cancellation compensation?

Compensation amounts vary based on the distance between your departure and destination airports. The farther you fly, the higher the compensation you may receive from the airline. These flight compensation regulations apply to UK flights and UK airlines as well.

Flight compensation amounts are as follows:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

All of these compensation amounts are per passenger.

Children and babies (even babies without a seat) can get the same amount, too.

How much can you claim for the Ryanair flight cancellation? In 2024, there are four options – 250, 300, 400, or 600 euros. 250 and 400 are the most common.

How to Claim Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation?

At the moment, there are two main options for how you can claim Ryanair flight cancellation compensation – you can contact Ryanair customer service directly, or work with a specialised flight compensation company.

These are two options how to claim for a cancelled flight:

1. You can reach out to Ryanair customer service to ask for flight cancellation compensation. First, send them a detailed message or email outlining your situation. Make sure to include all relevant information such as your booking reference, flight number, and the date of travel. Be persistent and follow up with reminders about your claim. Remember, it might take a few months to receive the compensation, often even longer. For the best outcome, have all your flight details ready, including the reason for the cancellation and how many hours later you arrived at your destination. Visit ryanair.com or use the Ryanair app to start the process. Additionally, keep copies of all correspondence and any responses you receive from Ryanair customer service.
2. You can work with a flight compensation company. These companies specialise in handling flight compensation claims and can significantly simplify the process for you. Use the claim form on our website, and experienced professionals will take care of everything, from submitting the necessary paperwork to negotiating with the airline on your behalf. This can be a convenient option if you prefer not to handle the time-consuming process yourself. By collaborating with experts, you can increase your chances of a successful claim and ensure that all legal aspects are covered.

What if Ryanair refuses to pay compensation? Seek help from a national enforcement body. Or you can just work with a flight compensation company.

Read more: 

• How to Claim UK/EU Flight Compensation?
• Why Should You Use a Flight Compensation Company to Claim Compensation?

What to Do If Your Ryanair Flight Is Cancelled?

If your Ryanair flight is canceled, follow these steps:

1. Check your email: Look for messages from Ryanair regarding the cancellation. This email should provide information about the cancellation and detail your options, such as rebooking on the next available flight or obtaining a full refund from Ryanair.
2. Visit the Ryanair website or app: To choose a new flight or request a refund, use the Ryanair website or app. This method is often faster than waiting in line or on hold.
3. Know your rights: Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you may be entitled to compensation depending on the cause of the cancellation and the timing of the notification. If your flight is canceled due to technical issues, staffing problems, or airline staff strikes, you may be eligible for Ryanair flight cancellation compensation. Be sure to file a claim right after your trip. Additionally, you can claim compensation for past flights.
4. Seek assistance at the airport: If your flight is canceled while you’re at the airport, ask for assistance from the airline. You are entitled to support, including a new flight or a full refund, along with other free services. Details on these services are provided below.

Right to Care From Ryanair

If you have to wait at the airport due to flight cancellation, you have a right to care.

This rule applies to all Ryanair flight cancellations, including issues beyond the airline’s control – extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather, security risk and others. Regardless of the cause, unless it’s your fault, you have these rights:

• If you have to wait an extra 3 hours: You are entitled to a meal and access to emails or phone calls, which are usually provided in the form of vouchers. This ensures that you can stay connected and maintain your comfort while you wait.
• If you have to wait overnight: Ryanair must offer you a complimentary hotel stay and free airport transfers to and from the hotel. This ensures that you have a place to rest and do not incur additional expenses for accommodation or transportation.

If you encounter difficulties or if Ryanair fails to provide the necessary assistance, you should pay for these services yourself. Make sure to keep all receipts and documentation so you can file a claim for reimbursement later. This way, you can recover any out-of-pocket expenses and ensure you receive the care you are entitled to.

Keep in mind that you have the right to care also if your flight is delayed or overbooked.

What If You Miss a Connecting Flight With Ryanair?

In 2024, Ryanair doesn’t sell connecting flights.

If you book multiple flights and miss one due to a delay/cancellation on another, it’s your responsibility to book a new flight. These trips are called “self-transfer flights.”

This rule applies in all situations:

• Ryanair to Ryanair flights
• Ryanair to Wizz Air flights
• Ryanair to easyJet flights
• Any other airline combinations

No matter the airline, it’s your responsibility.

Flights like these are known as self-transfer flights. You may have seen this feature as one of Kiwi.com’s travel hacks. Kiwi is a very popular flight booking website. Booking your self-transfer through Kiwi.com allows you to insure the connection with Kiwi Guarantee. This ensures protection for your connection in case of delays, cancellations, or overbooking.

Read more: Missed Self-Transfer Flight Compensation

Are You Offered a Ryanair Voucher? Can You Ask for a Bank Transfer Instead?

Yes, you can ask for a bank transfer and not accept a Ryanair voucher.

If you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation, you don’t have to accept a Ryanair voucher. You have the right to receive the money directly to your bank account.

The same applies if you are getting a refund from Ryanair. European regulations say you can ask for a refund instead of accepting a voucher. If the airline cancels your flight due to their fault, you are also entitled to compensation, which can be paid to your bank account if you prefer.

Sometimes, it might be better to take a voucher for cancellations. For instance, if Ryanair offers you an extra 20% on top of your ticket value and you plan to travel with them soon, opting for the voucher could be beneficial.

Here Are Examples of Situations When You Can Get Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation

These are just a few examples to help you understand how it works; there are many more scenarios.

1. Cancelled Ryanair flight from Prague to London. If your Ryanair flight from Prague to London is cancelled on the day of departure due to aircraft technical issues, you may qualify for compensation of up to 250 euros per passenger, as the distance is less than 1,500 km.
2. Cancelled Ryanair flight from Fez to Rome. If your Fez-Rome flight is cancelled 10 days before departure due to the airline’s fault (e.g., poor planning), you could be entitled to compensation of up to 400 euros. Since Ryanair is a European airline, you could still claim compensation even if the flight is from Morocco which isn’t a European country.
3. Cancelled Ryanair flight from London to Santorini. If your Ryanair flight from London to Santorini is canceled 2 weeks before departure due to the airline’s fault (e.g., poor planning), you could be entitled to compensation of up to 400 euros. Despite the UK not being in the EU, European compensation regulations still protect you.
4. Cancelled Ryanair flight from Tallinn to Berlin. If your flight is cancelled 6 days before departure due to airline staff issues, you may be entitled to compensation of 250 euros since the distance of this flight is less than 1,500 km.

Read more:

• Who Is Eligible for UK/EU Flight Compensation?
• Who Has a Right to Care and Assistance From an Airline?
• Can You Get Compensation if Your Flight Ticket Was Cheap?

Have you ever dealt with Ryanair? Have you faced a flight cancellation with them? How did they handle it? Were you compensated for the cancellation?

Featured photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels