Your Ryanair compensation claim is denied.
You’ve sought compensation, but your compensation request has been rejected.
It’s particularly irritating when you’re attempting to secure Ryanair compensation on your own, and even more so when you’re unsure whether you’re even eligible for compensation. What’s the next step? Is it even worthwhile? Rest assured, it is certainly worthwhile. At the very least, you can delegate it to a flight compensation firm to carry forward on your behalf. Nonetheless, that’s not your only choice.
You can continue to assert your rights independently.
Your Ryanair Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
There are alternate methods to obtain compensation from Ryanair.
But before you proceed, it’s essential to review the relevant regulations and understand your rights.
1. Collaborating With Flight Compensation Companies
The simplest approach is to collaborate with a flight compensation agency.
Your only requirement is to complete an online form, provide them with a copy of your boarding pass and passport, and sign the claim. Generally, you don’t have to concern yourself with anything else. The company handles the remainder. You no longer need to communicate with Ryanair. If there are any additional queries, something only you can respond to, the company will reach out to you. The only downside is the charges. Most flight compensation firms charge around 25-45% of the compensation.
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.
What are the fees?
Usually, the fees are about 25 to 45 per cent of the compensation. The balance is sent to you. If you don’t receive compensation from Ryanair, you won’t have to pay anything.
Read more:
2. Approaching the NEB of the Country of Your Flight’s Origin
Collaborating with a flight compensation agency is not your sole option.
If you have attempted to contact the airline independently, and your Ryanair compensation claim has been denied, approaching the NEB (National Enforcement Bodies) is the next logical step. This service is free. However, it’s not as straightforward as working with a flight compensation agency, and it could be time-consuming. It often takes them at least 2 months to process your compensation request.
The major drawback — a positive response to your request doesn’t ensure that you will receive compensation. Ryanair could still refuse the request.
You can discover a list of the National Enforcement Bodies here.
The National Enforcement Bodies assist passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight delay or cancellation, as well as enforces the regulation Regulation (EC) 261/2004 and makes sure passengers are treated according to these rules.
3. Escalating the Matter to Court
The subsequent step is to escalate it to court.
It’s strongly recommended to wait for a positive verdict from the NEB first. This is because having it will significantly assist you in your case against the airline (Ryanair in this instance).
It is the most challenging choice, but it’s also highly effective. Before escalating your grievance to court, ascertain that your claim is genuine. Review your rights and craft your argument. Only then can you be sure that it’s worth escalating to court. If you have a judgement from the NEB indicating that you’re eligible for compensation, include it in your court documentation.
Remember, taking your case to court will incur costs.
Extraordinary Circumstances
Airlines regularly avoid providing the exact reason for denying your claim.
They give you a rather vague explanation, and that’s the end of it.
They like labelling “everything” as extraordinary circumstances.
The reason is quite plain — no one wants to pay compensations. It’s bad for profits. Airlines are aware that most passengers don’t fully understand their rights. And they exploit this to their advantage. Be suspicious when you hear this term the next time.
According to the EU regulation 261/2004, airlines are not obliged to pay flight compensation when the disruption is due to extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances comprise severe weather, political or civil disturbances, and concealed manufacturing defects. That’s correct, only concealed manufacturing defects are viewed as extraordinary circumstances. Most technical issues, just like Ryanair staff strikes, are considered the airline’s liability (airline’s responsibility).
Moreover, adverse weather isn’t always an extraordinary circumstance. In some instances, the weather is completely foreseeable. For instance — snow during the winter months (unless snow is unusual in that area). In such instances, the airline is expected to undertake suitable measures to ensure the flight departs on schedule.
Discover the actual reason for the delay or cancellation.
It’s important.
When Can You Get Flight Compensation From Ryanair?
There exist multiple circumstances where you may be eligible for compensation from Ryanair. These encompass scenarios of flight delays, cancellations, and cases where boarding is denied due to a flight being overbooked (airline’s fault).
1. Flight Delays
As per EU regulation 261/2004, you have the right to claim compensation if your flight reaches its destination with a delay of more than three hours.
The compensation amount is decided based on the extent of delay and the distance covered by the flight. For instance, suppose your flight from London to Paris, a relatively short distance of less than 1,500km, is delayed by four hours. In that case, you would be eligible for compensation amounting to €250, even if the flight itself cost only 25 euro.
Read more: Ryanair Flight Delay Compensation
2. Flight Cancellations
You are entitled to compensation in the event your flight is cancelled without a minimum notice of 14 days.
The compensation amount fluctuates depending on the distance of the flight and the delay caused in reaching your final destination. For example, if your flight from Rome to New York, a long haul of more than 3,500km, is cancelled without sufficient notice and you reach your final destination more than four hours late via a replacement flight, you are entitled to €600 in compensation.
You may also opt for a full Ryanair refund, instead of an alternative flight.
Read more: Ryanair Flight Cancellation Compensation
3. Denied Boarding Due to Overbooking
Occasionally, airlines overbook flights in anticipation of some passengers not showing up. If you face denial of boarding as a result of overbooking and you did not voluntarily surrender your seat, you are eligible for compensation.
The compensation amount is influenced by the distance of the flight. Let’s say you are flying from Berlin to Madrid, a medium distance between 1,500km and 3,500km, and you are denied boarding due to overbooking. If you arrive at your final destination more than three hours late, you are entitled to €400 in compensation.
Read more: Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation
What is your experience with Ryanair compensation claims? Do you have a first-hand experience of denied Ryanair compensation claim? Did you take the case to NEB or court?