What if Ryanair rejects my compensation claim?

1. Request a formal written rejection with specific reasons. 2. Challenge it citing EU261/2004. 3. File with your national ADR body (e.g. CEDR in UK, SÖP in Germany). 4. Use a no-win-no-fee claims company. Rejection is not the end — it's often just step one.

Ryanair Compensation for Delays & Cancellations — Up to €600

Q: How do I get compensation from Ryanair?

Submit your claim via Ryanair's Customer Care form on ryanair.com, or use a claims company like ClaimWinger. Provide your flight number, date, route and actual arrival time. Ryanair has a low voluntary payout rate — if rejected, escalate to the SÖP, CEDR or your national ADR body.

Q: Does Ryanair pay compensation voluntarily?

Ryanair is known for rejecting many valid claims with blanket extraordinary circumstances defences. However, over 80% of valid claims that reach ADR or court stage are successful. Persistence pays off.

Q: How much compensation can I get from Ryanair?

€250 for flights under 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km — provided your arrival was at least 3 hours late. Most Ryanair routes are short-haul (€250) or medium-haul (€400).

Q: Does EU261 apply to Ryanair flights?

Yes. Ryanair is an Irish airline (Ireland is EU member). EU261/2004 applies to all Ryanair flights departing from an EU airport, and to Ryanair flights arriving in the EU from outside if operated by Ryanair (an EU carrier).

When Are You Entitled to Ryanair Compensation?

EU261/2004 applies to all Ryanair flights departing from EU airports. Ryanair is an Irish airline — Ireland is an EU member state. The regulation also covers Ryanair flights arriving in the EU when Ryanair (the EU carrier) operates the flight.

Situation	Compensation	Condition
Delay — short-haul (<1,500 km)	€250	Arrival 3+ hours late
Delay — medium-haul (1,500–3,500 km)	€400	Arrival 3+ hours late
Cancellation (less than 14 days notice)	€250–€600	No adequate re-routing
Denied boarding (overbooking)	€250–€600	Against passenger's will

How to Claim Ryanair Compensation — Step by Step

Document the delay

Screenshot the Ryanair app or departure board. Note the actual arrival time (doors open at destination — that's the official arrival). Use FlightAware or Flightradar24 for historical data if needed.

Submit to Ryanair

ryanair.com → Help → Flight Disruption Claim. You'll need: booking reference, flight number, date, actual arrival time, bank details. Ryanair typically responds in 2–8 weeks.

Challenge any rejection

Ryanair rejects a high proportion of claims. If rejected: respond in writing citing EU261/2004, Art. 7. Request the specific evidence for their extraordinary circumstances claim. A blanket rejection is not acceptable.

Escalate if needed

File with your national ADR body (CEDR for UK passengers, SÖP for Germany, etc.) or use ClaimWinger. Ryanair must participate in ADR. Courts consistently rule in passengers' favour.

Ryanair's Most Common Rejection Excuses — Debunked

Rejection: Extraordinary circumstances: ATC restrictions

ATC restrictions can be valid — but only if they affected YOUR specific flight directly. Ryanair often uses this as a blanket excuse. Demand the specific ATC restriction: time, location, what restriction. Many 'ATC' claims don't hold up.

Rejection: Extraordinary circumstances: technical fault

Technical defects are NOT extraordinary circumstances per CJEU C-549/07 (Wallentin-Hermann). Ryanair must prove the fault was both extraordinary AND unforeseeable — and took all reasonable measures. Standard maintenance failures don't qualify.

Rejection: Rotational delay (late incoming aircraft)

Late incoming aircraft is an internal operational issue and NOT extraordinary (CJEU C-315/15). The airline must show it took all reasonable steps to avoid the delay — like sourcing a replacement aircraft.

Rejection: Strike (extraordinary circumstances)

Strikes by Ryanair's own staff are NOT extraordinary circumstances per CJEU C-28/20. Only third-party strikes (ATC, airport security) can qualify. If Ryanair pilots or cabin crew were striking, you're still entitled to compensation.

Care Rights During Ryanair Delays

Regardless of compensation entitlement, Ryanair must provide care for delays over 2 hours (short-haul) or 3 hours (medium/long-haul):

Meals and refreshments proportionate to wait time
Two free phone calls, emails or faxes
Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
Transport between airport and hotel

If Ryanair doesn't provide these, buy reasonable meals and keep receipts. Claim separately from compensation.

Claim Deadlines for Ryanair

Time limits depend on your departure country. For flights departing Germany: 3 years from 31 December of the flight year (§195 BGB). UK departures: 6 years. Ireland: 6 years. France/Spain: 5 years.

Don't leave it too late — older claims are harder to document.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get compensation from Ryanair?

Submit via ryanair.com → Help → Flight Disruption Claim. Include booking reference, flight number and actual arrival time. If rejected, escalate to ADR (CEDR for UK, SÖP for Germany) or use a claims company.

Does Ryanair pay compensation voluntarily?

Rarely without pressure. Ryanair rejects many valid claims. However, ADR and court success rates are high. Persistence and correct escalation consistently result in payment.

How much compensation can I get from Ryanair?

€250 (short-haul under 1,500 km), €400 (medium 1,500–3,500 km) — these cover the vast majority of Ryanair routes. €600 for long-haul over 3,500 km (rare for Ryanair).

What if Ryanair rejects my claim?

Rejection is step one, not the end. Challenge in writing, file with ADR, or use ClaimWinger. Courts have consistently ruled against Ryanair's blanket extraordinary circumstances defences.

Does EU261 apply to Ryanair flights?

Yes. Ryanair is Irish (EU). EU261 applies to all Ryanair flights departing EU airports, and Ryanair flights arriving in EU if Ryanair is the operating carrier.

Ryanair Compensation: Delays & Cancellations — Up to €600