Was your Ryanair flight cancelled last minute?
Experiencing a flight cancellation can be exceptionally frustrating, particularly if you have subsequent flights or other travel plans. The good thing, however, is that you, as a passenger, are protected by UK/EU regulations and Ryanair’s own cancellation policies. These protections have been active for over a decade, ensuring that, if your Ryanair flight is cancelled, it falls upon the airline to offer appropriate solution and support.
What exactly does it mean for you as a passenger?
1. Ryanair Flight Cancellation: Last-Minute Flight Cancellation
If your flight with Ryanair gets cancelled, the airline has a responsibility towards you.
- In case of flight cancellation causing extended waiting time at the airport, Ryanair must provide for your needs. This means that for a wait of 3 hours, you are entitled to a free meal voucher, while for an overnight wait — free hotel accommodation and transport. This is called right to care.
- If you opt not to accept the replacement flight presented to you, Ryanair must provide a full cancellation refund. This will be either transferred to your bank account or given out as a Ryanair voucher. You have a right to choose whatever suits you the best.
- Provided the cancellation is last-minute (i.e., the flight was cancelled within 2 weeks of the original departure date) and it’s Ryanair’s fault, you can lodge a flight cancellation compensation claim against Ryanair. There’s a high chance you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation.
These compensation regulations are valid for all Ryanair flights to and from Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) 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.
2. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?
Your immediate steps when faced with a last-minute flight cancellation will depend on your location. If you are already en route to the airport, your course of action may differ from when you are at home.
2.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel
If you haven’t left your residence or hotel and receive information about your flight cancellation, it’s advised to stay put for now and contact Ryanair’s customer service for guidance.
As mentioned before, Ryanair will extend support. They will inform you about available options – you could be departing later the same day or the next day, depending on flight availability. Remember, you can also ask for a flight with a different airline.
If the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances, you are still entitled to assistance, a free alternative flight to your destination, or a refund if you prefer.
2.2 If You Are Already at the Airport
If your flight is cancelled while you’re already at the airport, avoid going through airport security. A replacement flight will be booked for you, and you’ll be getting a new boarding pass. If you have checked-in luggage, you will need to collect it, recheck it and once again go through passport control. If you have already cleared security, attempt to return to the public access area of the airport.
It’s crucial to connect with Ryanair representatives at the airport to figure out your next steps. They will offer assistance, such as an alternative flight to your destination (or a full refund), and care.
3. Ryanair Last-Minute Flight Cancellation Compensation
UK/EU regulations have specific rules in place regarding compensation for cancelled flights.
In cases where your flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before its scheduled departure time, it is classified as a last-minute cancellation, and you may have a right to claim compensation.
Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You accept a new flight provided by Ryanair, which departs no more than 2 hours prior to the original departure time and you reach your final destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation, you are not eligible for compensation.
- In all other scenarios, you can claim compensation.
Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:
- You take on a new flight offered by Ryanair, which leaves no more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you arrive at your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this case, you are not due any compensation.
- In other scenarios, you are due compensation.
Conditions for claiming compensation:
- Flight cancelled due to the fault of Ryanair;
- Flight is to/from/within Europe;
- Flight cancelled last-minute (less than 14 days before departure).
Read more: Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation
4. Ryanair Flight Cancellation Refund
When a Ryanair flight gets cancelled, as a passenger, you are entitled to either a rerouting to your desired destination or a full refund. If you opt for the latter, it can take the form of a bank transfer or be given as a Ryanair voucher.
The choice would depend on your individual preferences and future travel plans.
Your refund from Ryanair should be processed within a week.
It’s key to understand that the right to compensation and the right to a refund are distinct entitlements under the UK/EU flight compensation legislation. Even if you choose a refund, you might still qualify for compensation, subject to the conditions around the flight’s cancellation, as detailed above.
4.1 What Happens If You Cancel a Flight?
The refund rules change if you, as a traveller, decide to cancel your flight. Ryanair’s refund policies are largely governed by the nature of the ticket you bought.
Fully-flexible tickets are generally refundable, while budget, non-flexible tickets may not be. It is always advisable to verify the specific terms of your ticket or reach out to Ryanair’s customer service for further clarification. If you have purchased travel insurance that includes cancellations, you may be able to claim a refund through your insurer.
5. How to Claim Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation? Cancellation Refund?
To claim a refund for your ticket, you can go ahead and apply for it in the “My Bookings” section on Ryanair website. The refund sum will be returned via the payment method that was used at the time of booking your ticket, or as a voucher.
What happens in case of flight cancellation compensation?
In the event that your flight gets cancelled, you might be eligible for compensation from Ryanair. The most crucial step here is to lodge a claim. Failing to do so will lead to no compensation. You can get in touch with Ryanair customer service to put forth your claim.
Bear in mind, you are entitled to receive compensation and are not obligated to accept travel vouchers. As per EC Regulation 261, compensation for flight disruptions in the EU should be made straight into your bank account. The compensation amount you can claim is fixed and can vary from 250 to 600 euros.
You can also consider the simplest way — legal assistance.
When you choose this option, a flight compensation firm handles all the tasks. They will lodge a compensation claim and see it through on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.
How to get compensation? Do this:
And that’s it — professionals handle the rest.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more:
- Your Ryanair Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- Your Ryanair Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
- How to Claim Ryanair Compensation?
Do you have a first-hand experience with Ryanair flight cancellations? Ryanair refunds? How did the airline solve the problem? Share your experience. Do you still have questions about Ryanair compensation policies? Ask in the comments.