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Understanding Passenger Rights Under the EC261 Regulation

What rights do you have under EC261 when flying?

EC Regulation 261/2004 is here to protect you if you’re flying to or from a European airport, whether you’re on a package holiday, flying low-cost, or on a business trip.

This rule means you’re covered if your flight is delayed, or cancelled, or if you’re not allowed to board. You could get up to €600 per person as compensation in certain situations. Plus, if you end up waiting a long time at the airport, the airline should take care of you.

What Is EC261 Regulation?

The EC261 Regulation is a law in the European Union that explains what rights you have if your flight gets delayed or cancelled. It’s meant to look out for travellers and make sure airlines treat them right.

Because of this rule, you might get flight compensation if there’s an issue with your flight. The amount of compensation depends on how far you are flying.

Does EC261 still apply in the UK? Yes, it does.

Eligibility Criteria for Ryanair Flight Compensation

With Ryanair, the regulation covers all flights departing from or arriving at a European airport.

With non-European airlines, the rules only apply to flights leaving a European airport.

Remember, you must have a confirmed booking and check in on time to be eligible.

You can claim flight compensation from Ryanair if:

  • Your flight is delayed by over 3 hours,
  • Your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice,
  • Or your flight is overbooked and you are denied boarding.

It’s important that the issue is Ryanair’s fault for these rules to apply.

Whether you’re European or not doesn’t affect your right to compensation from Ryanair, nor does the cost of your ticket.

How Much Is Flight Compensation? (EC261 Regulation)

The compensation you could receive for your flight depends on its distance.

Here’s a breakdown according to EC261:

  • Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
  • Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
  • Flights over 3500 km: €600

You may also claim reasonable additional expenses like accommodation or transport due to flight disruptions. These amounts are the same for all passengers, including infants.

To begin your claim, fill out our form.

How to get compensation? Do this:

Go to
this page

Fill in a claim form

Upload documents*

Sign online

And that’s it — professionals handle the rest.

* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.

Read more:

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.

Ryanair airplane
Ryanair airplane

Rights of Passengers in Case of Flight Delay with Ryanair

If your flight is delayed, EU law gives you rights.

You have a right to receive information about the delay, free food and free drinks depending on how long you’re waiting, and also to some means of communication (email, calls, internet).

If the wait is really long, you might get a free hotel room.

Short Flight Delay vs. Long Flight Delay

If your flight is delayed for three hours or more, you’re entitled to care from the airline. This means they have to provide you with meals, drinks, a way to communicate, and a place to stay overnight if needed.

If the delay is three hours or more, you might also get compensation, but only if the delay is caused by something the airline has control of, like technical issues or problems with their staff, including Ryanair strikes.

However, if the delay is less than three hours, the airline doesn’t have specific rules that it has to follow.

Rights of Passengers in Case of Flight Cancellation with Ryanair

If a flight is cancelled, passengers can choose between getting their money back or taking a different flight. Pick what works best for you.

  • A full refund from Ryanair paid to your bank account.
  • New flight or flights to your destination (with Ryanair or another airline).

Passengers are also eligible for compensation in case of flight cancellation, provided the cancellation isn’t caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline’s control.

Flight Cancellation Refund vs Cancellation Compensation

These are two separate things.

You have a right to a refund every time Ryanair cancels a flight.

You can choose – a refund or a new flight to your destination.

In some situations, you also have a right to flight cancellation compensation. You have a right to compensation from Ryanair if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the date of departure and the reason behind the cancellation is, for example, bad planning (airline’s fault).

  • You can choose a refund.
  • AND get compensation as well (if the flight qualifies).

Rights of Passengers in Case of Flight Overbooking/Denied Boarding with Ryanair

Passengers denied boarding because of overbooking have the right to choose between a new flight or a refund of their ticket price.

  • A new flight to your destination or a full refund.
  • Denied boarding compensation (if you didn’t agree to give up your seat).
  • Immediate compensation paid on the spot (if you agree to be a volunteer and Ryanair is offering compensation to all volunteers).

If you voluntarily give up your seat, you’re not eligible for European denied boarding compensation. However, if you are denied boarding without volunteering, you are entitled to receive European denied boarding compensation.

Entering hotel room

You Have a Right to Care From Ryanair

In all these situations, you also have a right to care from Ryanair.

You are entitled to this right if your flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.

Whenever you experience longer wait times than expected, you are entitled to this right.

  • If the delay exceeds three hours, you are entitled to meals, refreshments, and access to communication methods such as email, phone calls, or the Internet.
  • If the wait is overnight, you have a right to free accommodation provided by the airline. It can be an airport hotel or a hotel in the city.

Is Ryanair Covered by EU Regulation 261/2004?

Yes, all Ryanair flights to and from Europe are covered by Regulation 261/2004.

Because Ryanair is a European airline.

With non-European airlines, these rules apply only to their flights departing from European airports. For example, flying with Scoot, you have these rights only on flights departing from Europe.

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