Ryanair missed connection compensation.
How much can you claim? What happens if you miss your flight?
In case you miss a connecting flight with Ryanair, mostly you are not eligible for flight compensation. All because, Ryanair doesn’t sell connecting flights. If you book two or more flights with Ryanair, these are self-transfer flights. Accordingly, what you have is a self transfer with Ryanair, not connecting flights with Ryanair. However, you may be entitled to European flight compensation for the flight that’s delayed or cancelled last-minute.
You can either file the claim on your own or seek assistance from professionals.
Check your compensation online.
Ryanair Connecting Flights
Ryanair does not sell connecting flights.
Instead, their focus is primarily on providing direct routes to numerous destinations. Should you choose to book multiple flights with Ryanair, it’s crucial to understand these are considered as self-transfer flights. This essentially means that passengers are responsible for managing their own transfers.
What is a Self-Transfer?
A self-transfer is a type of air travel where passengers book separate flights to reach their final destination. Unlike connecting flights, which are managed by the airline, self-transfers require passengers to handle their own luggage and check-in process for the subsequent flights. This means that in the event of a delay or cancellation of the initial flight that causes a missed second flight, the responsibility lies with the passenger and not the airline.
Consequently, airlines like Ryanair typically do not offer compensation for missed self-transfers. It’s critical, therefore, to allow ample time between flights to manage potential disruptions.
Ryanair Self-Transfer Flight Connection: What If You Miss a Flight?
As already mentioned, Ryanair doesn’t offer connecting flights.
So instead, you’ve made a self-transfer booking that includes two or more separate Ryanair flights. Each of these flights was booked and paid for individually and each comes with its own unique booking reference number. It’s important to note that this is not a connection protected by the airline.
What if you miss your connection due to delay or cancellation?
Check your compensation online.
1. Your First Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
If your first flight is delayed or cancelled resulting in a missed connection, it’s essential to understand that you won’t get missed connection compensation.
However, you may be entitled to care from Ryanair and compensation for the initial flight if it was delayed for three or more hours or cancelled last-minute, and this disruption was within the airline’s control. The “right to care” includes meals and refreshments, two free calls, emails or faxes, and hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and place of accommodation (if needed, and if it’s an overnight wait).
You won’t get any of that, if the delay is shorter, and it isn’t a flight cancellation. In this case, if you miss a connection, you will also have to cover these expenses yourself.
To sum it up, you may have a right to care and flight compensation (Ryanair flight delay compensation or Ryanair flight cancellation compensation). This applies to 3+ hour delays and last-minute flight cancellations due to airline’s fault.
The compensation amount depends on the flight distance.
Read more:
- Your Ryanair Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
- How to Claim Ryanair Compensation?
- Your Ryanair Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
- Your Ryanair Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
2. Your Last Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
This scenario presents a more favorable situation for you.
It is less stressful, and most likely you will ultimately reach your destination without incurring any losses. In this case, you won’t need to book a new flight or arrange accommodation for yourself, as your airline will take care of these aspects.
Here’s what you may need to do, depending on the circumstances:
- Flight cancellation. If your last flight gets cancelled, you should approach the airline to obtain a new ticket for an alternative flight. Make sure it fits your initial travel plans. It can also be a flight with a different airline. Or, you can opt for a flight cancellation refund.
- Flight delay. In the event of a flight delay, you will need to wait for the rescheduled departure time of your flight.
If you find yourself waiting at the airport for three or more hours due to a delay, you have the right to care. For delays lasting 3+ hours, you can get a free meal and free refreshments. For longer delays that require an overnight stay, the airline is obliged to provide you with complimentary hotel accommodation. Additionally, they have to arrange free transportation to and from the hotel.
Moreover, if the flight problems are due to the airline’s fault, you may also be eligible for European flight compensation. For more information, you can refer to our articles on Ryanair flight delay compensation and Ryanair flight cancellation compensation.
The same laws apply to other low-cost airlines as well.
Check your compensation online.
Ryanair Self-Transfer Flight: Different Airlines
Let’s assume you have a Ryanair & Jet2 self-transfer flight.
This self transfer consists of 2 flights: Ryanair flight and Jet2 flight.
If you happen to miss your connection, the responsibility lies with you, similar to a Ryanair-only self transfer. All because, this is a self transfer. Therefore, if your first flight is delayed or cancelled (regardless of the operating airline), resulting in a missed connection, neither of the companies will be held responsible for the connection.
You’ll have to to handle the situation and make arrangements for a new flight.
However, there are situations where you may be able to seek assistance from the airline. If your first flight is cancelled last minute (less than 2 weeks before departure) or delayed for three or more hours, you have a right to care. If the problem is due to the airline’s fault, you may be eligible for flight compensation for that particular flight. It is important to note that this compensation only applies to the specific flight, and it does not cover the missed connection.
Ryanair Self-Transfer Flight: Baggage
Wondering how baggage handling works on self-transfer flights?
The process differs quite significantly from traditional connecting flights where your luggage is automatically transferred for you. During a self-transfer flight, baggage transfer is your responsibility. You have to retrieve and recheck your luggage after each segment of your journey.
Given that self-transfer flights aren’t on a single ticket, your baggage will not be directly forwarded to your final destination.
If you’re travelling with checked baggage, it’s recommended to leave sufficient time between your flights. Enough for luggage retrieval, passport clearance (if applicable), check-in for your subsequent flight, baggage recheck, and to go through the security control.
For those who want to avoid the inconvenience, opting for a self-transfer with only carry-on baggage can be a viable option. Many low-cost airlines, like Ryanair, usually don’t offer a complimentary baggage allowance, so avoiding checked baggage can equate to substantial savings on baggage fees, especially when taking multiple flights with low-cost carriers.
When planning a self-transfer that involves different airlines, it’s essential to thoroughly understand the specific baggage regulations for each airline. As rules for baggage can vary greatly between airlines.
Read more:
How to Protect Yourself Against Ryanair Flight Delays and Cancellations?
Have you booked a Ryanair self-transfer flight?
How can you protect this flight connection?
How can you make a Ryanair self-transfer connection more safe?
One of the best ways to safeguard yourself, particularly during a self-transfer flight, against possible flight disruptions is to purchase travel insurance that covers flight disruptions. Make sure that your insurance policy specifically includes coverage for such situations. It is important to remember to purchase it prior to any potential issues arising. Ideally, you should make the purchase right after booking your flights.
This type of insurance can provide compensation for missed flights, unused hotel stays, bus or rail tickets, and any enforced stays due to lengthy flight delays or last-minute flight cancellations. Even if you are entitled to flight compensation due to airline’s fault, your insurance will still come in handy as it typically deals with issues immediately, whereas flight compensations may take several months to process.
It’s recommended to purchase insurance for every trip.
Check your compensation online.
Ryanair Connecting Flights: FAQ
What Is a Ryanair Self-Transfer Flight?
A Ryanair self-transfer flight is when you book two or more subsequent Ryanair flights. For example, you want to go from London to Rome, and you buy a flight from London to Paris, and them from Paris to Rome.
In this case, you are required to handle the transfer process yourself. This includes retrieving and rechecking luggage, and having to make new travel arrangements if the connection is missed due to delays or cancellations on the first flight.
How Many Hours Should Be Between Flights to Ensure a Safe Ryanair Connection?
While the exact time can vary based on several factors, a safe rule of thumb for self-transfer flights with Ryanair is to have at least 3 hours between flights.
This allows ample time for luggage retrieval, passport clearance (if applicable), check-in for your subsequent flight, baggage recheck, and to go through the security control. Keep in mind, this is a general guideline and delays can happen.
Therefore, when planning self-transfer flights, particularly involving flights to countries outside of the EU and UK, it’s a wise idea to allow more time.
How Do You Insure a Ryanair Self-Transfer Flight?
Insuring a Ryanair self-transfer flight can be done by purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy that specifically includes coverage for flight disruptions such as delays, cancellations, and missed connections. This type of insurance can compensate for missed flights, unused hotel stays, bus or rail tickets, and any enforced stays due to lengthy flight delays or last-minute cancellations.
It’s important to buy the insurance immediately after booking your flights to ensure coverage. Because cancellations and flight changes can happen at any time, also one or two months before the date of departure.
Different insurance providers offer varying levels of coverage, so it’s crucial to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered.
Do I Have to Buy Baggage for Every Ryanair Flight Separately?
Yes, when you book self-transfer flights, especially with low-cost airlines like Ryanair, you will need to purchase baggage allowances for each separate flight. This is because each flight is treated as a standalone trip.
Your baggage will not be automatically forwarded to your final destination as in traditional connecting flights.
This is an important factor to consider when calculating your total travel costs. Always remember to review the specific baggage fees and rules of each airline before booking.
What is your experience with Ryanair connecting flights? Ryanair self-transfer flights? Have you ever missed a connecting flight due to Ryanair’s fault?