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Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation

Ryanair denied boarding compensation.

You can also call it Ryanair overbooking compensation. How much is flight overbooking compensation? How to get compensation from Ryanair?

Just like any other airline, Ryanair overbooks its flights. It is done to maximize the capacity of a flight in case of no-shows (and to maximize the profits). But what if all people show up for their flight? Then the airline has to deny boarding to some of its passengers. If you are denied boarding because of not enough seats, Ryanair is obliged to pay denied boarding compensation.

With Ryanair, it applies to all flights to and from Europe.

1. Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation

Have you been denied boarding by Ryanair?

What are your rights? Are you entitled to denied boarding compensation from Ryanair? When it comes to denied boarding due to overbooking, passengers in Europe are protected. 

If you’re flying to or from Europe with Ryanair, and you are denied boarding due to overbooking — you are entitled to flight overbooking compensation (EU denied boarding compensation) up to €600. 

This only applies to overbookings.

If you are denied boarding due to passport or visa issues, you can’t get compensation from the airline. Also, you won’t be entitled to compensation if you give up your seat.

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. How to Claim Ryanair Flight Compensation? How to Claim Flight Overbooking Compensation?

You can claim compensation yourself.

The other option is to work with professionals.

Claiming compensation from Ryanair yourself. Use the form on Ryanair’s website to request denied boarding compensation. Provide all the details about your flight. Be prepared that it may take some time until a customer service specialist gets back to you.

Request the right amount and don’t agree to any Ryanair vouchers.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

Register your Ryanair compensation claim with the help of a legal office. In this case, you don’t have to do much. It will take just a few minutes to fill in and sign the form. The rest will be done by experts.

Fill in the form below and the professionals will contact you.

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:

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

If everything goes well — 2 to 3 months.

If not, it could take more, even 6 months.

It depends on how cooperative is the airline.

If Ryanair denies your compensation claim, you might need to take additional steps to get the compensation you are entitled to. It takes time.

Euro banknotes
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

3. How Much is Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation in 2024?

In the EU and the UK, compensation amounts are fixed.

In most situations, they range from €250 to €600.

Here is how you can calculate Ryanair compensation yourself:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

€250

If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km

€400

If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

€250

If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km

€400

If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km

€600

If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km

Are you claiming compensation yourself? You must ask for the right amount. Otherwise, Ryanair might offer you smaller compensation. You don’t have to accept it. Request the amount you are entitled to.

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 Ryanair Voucher Code, Discounts or Cash?

According to the law, compensations have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

However, airlines do not always obey the law. Ryanair, just like any other airline, might offer a voucher at first. But you don’t have to accept this, even though many people do.

Request a bank transfer instead.

4. Voluntary vs Involuntary Boarding Denial

It’s very important to understand the difference.

4.1 Voluntary Denied Boarding

What is voluntary denied boarding?

Yes, there are different types of denied boarding. 

Your flight is overbooked. Passengers show up, but there are not enough seats. First, the airline will look for volunteers willing to give up their seats voluntarily. 

You too could be asked to give up your seat in exchange for a new flight and instant compensation (vouchers or cash). If you are offered compensation like this and you accept it, it’s called voluntary boarding denial.

In this case, you aren’t entitled to denied boarding compensation from Ryanair.

You don’t have to agree to an offer like this.

4.2 Involuntary Denied Boarding

There are situations when you don’t have a choice.

If there are not enough volunteers, you might be denied boarding against your will.

If you are denied boarding against your will, it’s called involuntarily denied boarding, and you are eligible for compensation from Ryanair.

What happens if you are denied boarding against your will?

  • The airline must offer a new flight or give you a full refund for the flight (you have to choose);
  • In addition to that, you are entitled to receive care from the airline*;
  • You are entitled to compensation up to €600 per passenger. 

* Ryanair must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls and e-mails. If you have to wait overnight, Ryanair must provide free accommodation and free transfer from and to the airport.

Entering hotel room
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

5. Right to Care

All passengers travelling with Ryanair have a right to care.

When you have to wait at the airport due to delay, cancellation or denied boarding, you have a right to care. The rules are the same – it doesn’t matter if you are denied boarding against your will, or if you agreed to this. If you have to wait 3+ hours, you can receive certain services for free.

What does it mean for you as a passenger?

Ryanair must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls or e-mails. If your new flight departs the next day, Ryanair has to book you into a hotel (free of charge) and provide a free transfer to this hotel (and back to the airport). Agreeing to these free services doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

Contact the airline if you haven’t been offered anything.

Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation: FAQ

My flight cost only €5. Can I get compensation if my flight is disrupted due to the fault of Ryanair?

Yes. 

The price of the ticket doesn’t matter.

If your Ryanair flight is delayed for more than 3 hours or cancelled last minute due to the fault of the airline, you might be entitled to compensation. It doesn’t matter how much did you paid for your flight. 

Remember — you are paid for the inconvenience.

Do I need to have travel insurance to claim compensation?

No, you don’t. 

Just as it’s not important how much did you pay for your ticket, it’s not important if you have travel insurance or not. 

You can claim compensation even if you don’t have insurance.

Can my child get compensation from Ryanair?

Yes.

The age of the passenger doesn’t matter. If you are entitled to Ryanair flight compensation, your child/baby will be, too. Even if you travel with an infant who has a special infant ticket.

Can I claim compensation for another person?

Can you claim compensation for a friend, relative or a member of your family?

Yes. Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself. You can claim compensation on behalf of another person, but they will need to provide you with a boarding pass and passport copy and sign any documents Ryanair or a law company might ask to sign.

How far back can I claim compensation?

It depends on the laws of the country.

In many European countries, it’s possible to claim compensation even for old flights. The deadline might be even 3 years. You can claim with the help of a law office, and they will check your flight for you.

What to do if Ryanair is denying my claim?

Ryanair is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it. 

Is there anything you could do? Is it still possible to get compensation from Ryanair? 

Yes. There are two ways you can proceed. The best and the most hassle-free way is to hand over your case to a law office specialising in air passenger rights. The company will pursue compensation on your behalf. 

Alternatively, you may contact the respective national enforcement body and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states.

Problems With Visa or Passport

I was denied boarding due to issues with my visa/passport. Am I entitled to compensation in this case?

No.

You were denied boarding due to your fault. 

No airline will compensate you for that.

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?

If you’re flying with Ryanair then yes, you can.

All Ryanair flights are protected under the EU Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004. Because Ryanair is an EU airline.

I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?

If it’s a Ryanair flight, then yes.

As long as the flight meets these criteria: 

  • It’s a 3+ hour delay;
  • It’s due to the fault of Ryanair.
I am not a citizen of the EU/UK. Can I get compensation?

Yes. 

The UK Regulation UK261 and Regulation 261/2004 protect all passengers.

The nationality of the passenger doesn’t matter. 

Other Situations

Ryanair provided me with free accommodation and a free flight to my destination. Can I claim compensation?

Yes. 

Free hotel stay and free flight don’t affect your chances of receiving Ryanair flight compensation. These are the laws in Europe.

Ryanair took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?

You might.

As long as the flight meets these criteria: 

  • It’s a 3+ hour delay;
  • It’s due to the fault of Ryanair.

Accepting a free flight doesn’t affect your chances of receiving Ryanair flight compensation. These are the laws in Europe.

What is your experience? Have you ever received Ryanair overbooking compensation? Do you still have questions about Ryanair’s compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.