Ryanair flight delay compensation.
What is Ryanair’s delay compensation policy?
Generally speaking, if your flight is delayed in many situations you can get compensation from the airline. When travelling in Europe, passengers are protected under European law. This is possible because of two regulations – EC Regulation 261/2001 and Regulation UK 261. Ryanair is a European airline, and it has to follow these European laws.
With Ryanair, it applies to all flights to and from Europe.
How to get compensation from Ryanair?
1. Ryanair Flight Delay Compensation: EU/UK Regulation
Overall, the EU flight delay compensation rules are simple.
They are also almost identical both in the EU and the UK. According to these regulations, you might be entitled to flight delay compensation if your flight is delayed 3+ hours due to the fault of the airline.
If you’re flying to or from Europe, your flight is delayed for 3 or more hours, and the delay is due to the fault of Ryanair, you are eligible for compensation of up to €600.
Could you be entitled to Ryanair flight delay compensation?
Yes, if your Ryanair flight meets these criteria:
- It’s a 3+ hour delay;
- It’s due to the fault of Ryanair;
- The flight is to/from Europe.
So, all the above-mentioned rules apply to all Ryanair delays and cancellations.
Yes, you are protected even if you fly Ryanair within the UK.
UK flights are covered by the UK Regulation UK 261.
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 Compensation For Delayed Flight?
How to claim flight delay compensation Ryanair owes you?
There are two ways you can do it online.
One of the options is to use the Ryanair website. Use the website of Ryanair to request compensation for the flight delay. Find a compensation claim form on Ryanair’s website. Fill in the form, and provide all the information about you and your delayed Ryanair flight. It’s very useful to know the reason why your flight was delayed, and how long the delay was. The more information you have, the better for you. Keep in mind that it might take a while until Ryanair contacts you.
The second option is — legal representation.
It’s the easiest of the two options.
Everything is done on your behalf, by a team of legal professionals. All you have to do is to fill in and sign a compensation claim form. And that’s it. Wait for the money! If there will be any additional documents to sign, the company will contact you. 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:
- How to Claim Ryanair Compensation?
- Ryanair Missed Connection Compensation
- Your Ryanair Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
- Your Ryanair Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
No matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process.
It could take anything from 2 months to a few months.
It depends on how cooperative is the airline.
If you choose to work with a law office, it might take less time than if you did it by yourself. That is because the staff of these companies are professionals, and they already know what to do and how to proceed. If you are new to this, it will take a while until you figure it out.
2.2 How to Calculate the Delay Time?
What matters is the time of arrival at your destination.
Not the time of departure, but the exact time of arrival.
Ryanair flight delay time is calculated based on the actual time of arrival to your destination, specifically, when the doors of the aeroplane are opened. If the doors are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, you can get compensation.
What is your experience with Ryanair? Flight experience. Flight cancellations. Missed flights. Flight delays. Compensation. Share your stories in the comments, and let’s help each other with advice. DO NOT SHARE YOUR PRIVATE DATA!
3. How Much is Ryanair Flight Delay Compensation in 2024?
The compensation amount is fixed and ranges from €250 to €600.
How to calculate your Ryanair delayed flight compensation?
Use this simple flight delay compensation calculator.
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
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 Refund or Cash?
You might be offered a Ryanair voucher or coupon instead of compensation.
Many airlines all around the world are offering coupons. Do you have to accept vouchers instead of compensation or a refund from Ryanair? No. According to European regulations, you are entitled to cash or bank transfer. Remember this!
The compensations we are talking about in this article have to be paid to your bank account.
4. Extraordinary Circumstances
There are situations when you aren’t eligible for compensation.
Flights delayed due to extraordinary circumstances are not eligible for compensation.
It’s something that’s out of the airline’s control. If a flight is delayed due to such events, the airline is not responsible for the delays and is not obliged to pay European flight delay compensation. Extraordinary circumstances are bad weather, natural disasters, terrorism threats, security issues at the airport and some of the airport staff strikes.
What about Ryanair staff strikes?
Ryanair staff strikes are Ryanair’s fault.
You can get compensation from Ryanair if a staff strike causes problems.
You can’t get compensation if your flight is delayed due to an airport staff strike, or a nationwide strike. Ryanair staff strikes, on the other hand, aren’t extraordinary circumstances. The same applies to all airline staff strikes – they aren’t extraordinary circumstances.
One more thing to keep in mind is that not always airlines are telling the real reason for delay. That’s why when in doubt, double-check what you’re told.
Airlines don’t want to pay compensation. Airlines lose a lot of money if they pay compensation. If your Ryanair compensation claim is denied, make sure to ask for an explanation. When you are claiming compensation on your own, you need to be prepared for this. Be persistent when claiming compensation, and ask for proof if it is denied. Another option is to work with an agency specializing in air passenger rights.
5. Right to Care from Ryanair
In Europe, you also have a right to care.
If your Ryanair flight is delayed for 3+ hours, and you are stuck at the airport waiting until it departs, you have a right to receive care from the airline. This also applies to Ryanair’s last-minute flight cancellations and flight overbooking.
Even if your flight is delayed or cancelled because of bad weather, you have this right.
Ryanair must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If the flight is delayed overnight, you should be offered accommodation and transportation from and to the airport as well. In Europe, all passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline.
Ryanair Flight Delay 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.
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 with Ryanair? Have you ever received Ryanair flight delay compensation? Do you still have questions about Ryanair’s compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.