Ryanair delays: Know your rights
Flying with budget airlines like Ryanair (founded in 1984, headquartered in Dublín, Irlanda) is a great way to save money, but when disruptions happen, cheap tickets shouldn't mean losing your rights.
Under European Regulation EC 261, the price of your ticket does not matter. If Ryanair delays your flight by more than 3 hours or cancels it at the last minute, you have the exact same right to claim up to €600 compensation as passengers flying first class.
Under European Regulation EC 261, the price of your ticket does not matter. If Ryanair delays your flight by more than 3 hours or cancels it at the last minute, you have the exact same right to claim up to €600 compensation as passengers flying first class.
Today's Ryanair flight tracking
Looking at 12000 daily flights operated by Ryanair:
- 88% of flights departed on schedule.
- 1.5% were cancelled.
- 10.5% landed with delays.
Your EC 261 rights against Ryanair
Budget airlines must strictly adhere to the passenger rights established by law. You can claim from Ryanair if:
schedule
Delay > 3 Hours
If your Ryanair flight arrives at the destination gate over 3 hours late.
cancel
Cancellation
If Ryanair announces a cancellation less than two weeks before departure.
group_off
Overbooking
If Ryanair sold more tickets than seats and denies you boarding.
How much can Ryanair owe you?
Budget airlines like Ryanair mostly operate short-haul flights within Europe, where the standard €250 compensation applies, though longer flights earn more:
- euro_symbol€250: Most Ryanair flights (up to 1,500km).
- euro_symbol€400: For Ryanair flights between 1,500km and 3,500km.
- euro_symbol€600: Only applicable for flights over 3,500km.
Ryanair baggage issues
If your luggage doesn't appear on the carousel, report it to the Ryanair desk immediately and get a PIR form before leaving.
Action plan: Ryanair delays
Don't panic if your Ryanair flight is disrupted. Do this instead:
- 1 Save documents: Keep your Ryanair reference number and boarding pass safe.
- 2 Check the reason: Ask Ryanair staff why the flight is disrupted and note it down.
- 3 Ask for vouchers: Insist that Ryanair provides food and water if you wait more than 2 hours at the terminal.
- 4 Decline travel vouchers: Ryanair might offer air miles or small vouchers. Refuse them if you want cash compensation.
- 5 Keep receipts: Save receipts for taxis or hotels if Ryanair leaves you stranded overnight.
What if Ryanair cancels my flight?
You are legally entitled to either a full refund of your Ryanair ticket or a re-routing to your destination. Furthermore, if you weren't warned 14 days in advance, you can claim extra cash compensation.
Long delays with Ryanair
If you finally arrive at your destination with a delay exceeding 3 hours, Ryanair owes you money. The compensation is a fixed rate set by law.
Overbooked by Ryanair?
Like many carriers, Ryanair may occasionally overbook flights. If you are denied boarding, you are immediately eligible for compensation.
When is Ryanair exempt?
If the delay was caused by severe weather, airport security issues, or Air Traffic Control strikes, Ryanair is exempt from paying compensation. These are 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Strikes by Ryanair staff
If Ryanair's own pilots or cabin crews go on strike, this is within the airline's control. You are entitled to claim compensation.
How long to claim from Ryanair?
You don't have to claim immediately. Most European jurisdictions allow you to claim for Ryanair flights disrupted in the last 3-5 years.
Why use our service for Ryanair claims?
Claiming from budget airlines can involve endless automated emails and loops. We cut through the red tape. If we don't win your claim against Ryanair, you pay us nothing.