How to request reimbursement and compensation from Ryanair
Traveling can be exciting, but unfortunately, some inconveniences can occur such as cancelled flights, overbooked flights, delayed flights o lost luggage. The good news is that in many situations, the passenger has the right to request a refund and/or compensation.
In the specific case of Ryanair flights, there are specific conditions and particular documents that must be submitted, and we at Refund To Fly are here to help you better understand the subject and assert your rights, guiding you through all the procedures.
The history of the airline Ryanair
Ryanair is Europe’s leading low-cost airline, operating 1,800 routes and connecting 39 states, totaling more than 200 destinations. Today it is probably the airline of choice for travelers Europe-wide, the first in Italy with more than 30 million passengers a year.
In 2017, it came to carry up to 117 million passengers worldwide, earning the top spot for this milestone. Its base of operations is Stansted Airport in London; other main bases are Bergamo and Dublin.
Traveling, however, unforeseen events can happen with Ryanair as well, so let’s find out together how to apply for and get reimbursement and compensation for Ryanair flights.
Ryanair refund and compensation: differences and case histories
Be careful not to get confused because there is a difference. Refund represents full or partial repayment of the amount of money paid (cost of the ticket and any extra expenses incurred) and is generally applicable because the flight could not be made. Compensation, on the other hand, is a sum of money, which varies in amount and is independent of the cost of the ticket and the actual making of the flight, that is due to the passenger to compensate for inconveniences suffered as a result of inefficiency on the part of the airline…but don’t worry because we will delve well into the two cases.
Ryanair refund: What is it and when are you eligible?
In accordance with Regulation (EC) 261/2004, the passenger has the right to request a refund from Ryanair, i.e., a return of the money paid for the purchase of the airline ticket or for the extra expenses incurred, in case of:
- Exceptional circumstances for which Ryanair cannot be held responsible for inconvenience and missed departure, such as adverse weather conditions, strikes, health scare, or terrorist or security attacks
Ryanair also includes among the case studies:
- Flight with delay of more than 5 hours
- Inability to depart due to serious illness, death or in case of death of a close relative within 28 days before departure
Ryaniar will allow passengers to choose whether to request a ticket refund or be re-routed on a similar flight.
In the latter case, the passenger will have also entitled to the reimbursement of all extra expenses such as extra nights in hotels, meals, travel that was not planned to reach another airport, etc.
Ryanair compensation: What is it and when are you entitled?
Compensation (or indemnity or monetary compensation) has nothing to do with the refund of the ticket but is a sum of money that is due to the passenger for inconveniences suffered as a result of:
- Flight canceled
- Delayed flight
- Overbooked flight
- Inconveniences related to baggage delivery such as lost luggage o delayed baggage delivery
Compensation is thus compensation payable to the passenger for inefficiency on the part of the airline and is completely independent of the cost of the ticket.
The passenger does NOT have the right to claim any compensation when:
- Has been notified of the flight cancellation at least 14 days in advance
- travels for free or at a reduced fare that is not accessible, directly or indirectly, to the general public (e.g., employees of airlines, travel agencies, or tour operators);
- he or she is denied boarding due to health or security reasons or in case of invalid travel documents;
- unforeseen events occur that are beyond the airline’s responsibility such as adverse weather conditions, security risks, political instability events, and other exceptional circumstances
If the passenger is not entitled to compensation from Ryanair due to exceptional circumstances, can the passenger be entitled to a refund?
Of course it is, if the flight was canceled due to strike, adverse weather conditions, generally exceptional circumstances demonstrated by Ryanair, the airline is required to re-route the traveler to the first available flight or refund the cost of the flight it canceled, in addition to paying any extra charges.
How much is the Ryanair compensation?
As the Passenger Bill of Rights points out, the Irish airline in fact is required to compensate the traveler for the following inconveniences:
- Cancelled flight, with compensation ranging from €250 to €600
- Denied boarding for overbooked flight, with compensation ranging from €250 to €600
- Flight at least 3 hours late, with compensation ranging from €250 to €600. in particular:
- € 250.00 for all routes less than or equal to 1,500 km
- €400.00 for routes between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- € 600.00 for routes greater than 3500 km
- Damaged baggage, with a maximum compensation of € 1100;
- Delay in baggage delivery, with a maximum compensation of € 1167;
- Loss of luggage, with compensation corresponding to the value of the lost luggage and the goods contained therein up to a maximum of approximately € 1150.
How to apply for Ryanair refund and/or compensation?
Ryanair refunds can be claimed for cancelled flight, airline overbooking, airline delay or exceptional circumstances through its section on the website or by carrying out the customer verification procedure (if perhaps you purchased your ticket through an agency), while in order to obtain compensation as a result of the inconvenience suffered, you will need to fill out the appropriate Ryanair flight compensation form EU261 on their website.
However, it often happens that passengers only proceed with the claim, mainly because they are not aware of the conditions under which compensation is applicable or because they are told that the causes of cancellation or delay were force majeure. In addition, claiming compensation from Ryanair can involve difficulties and rather long waiting times without being certain of getting compensation. For these reasons, it is always recommended to rely on a team of professionals such as. Reimbursement on Flight who will handle all the paperwork for the passenger and verify everything the airline says about any exceptional circumstances to find out if they are actually entitled to compensation as well.
How to get Ryanair refund and/or compensation with the help of Refund On Flight?
We offer a service to obtain monetary compensation from Ryanair depending on the air discomfort caused.
By relying on the staff of Reimbursement on Flight for your Ryanair claim and compensation, surely the time will be faster than a claim made independently. In case you have to go to court, the team will seek the cooperation of legal experts to enforce your rights all the way!
Fill out the form and request your Ryanair refund.
FAQ Ryanair Flight Disruptions
Ryanair cancelled flight: what am I entitled to?
If your Ryanair flight is canceled, you are entitled to:
- Ticket Refund: You can cancel the trip and get a refund of the ticket cost. In case you are offered the voucher instead of the cash refund, know that you can waive that and claim the cash refund.
- Rebooking on an alternate flight: Ryanair will offer you a seat on the first available flight with the same destination.
- Reimbursement of extra expenses: You can claim reimbursement for extra expenses incurred, such as overnight stays, meals and unexpected transportation, keeping all receipts.
- Compensation: If the cancellation is Ryanair’s fault and you did not receive adequate notice, you are entitled to compensation of between €250 and €600, depending on the distance of the flight.
You can make claims for refund and compensation for flight cancellation through Ryanair’s official website or with the assistance of intermediaries such as Refund On Flight.
Ryanair delayed flight: what am I entitled to?
If your Ryanair flight is delayed, your rights depend on the length of the delay:
- Delay of more than 3 hours:
- Compensation: You can claim compensation of €250 for routes up to 1500 km, €400 for routes between 1500 and 3500 km, and €600 for routes over 3500 km, if the delay is Ryanair’s fault.
- Delay of more than 5 hours:
- Ticket Refund: You can cancel your trip and get a ticket refund.
- Rebooking on an alternate flight.: Ryanair must offer the option to depart on the first available flight with the same destination.
- Reimbursement of extra expenses: You are entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred for inconvenience, such as overnight stays and meals.
You can make claims for reimbursement and compensation for air delay through Ryanair’s official website or with the assistance of intermediaries such as Reimbursement On Flight.
Ryanair flight cancelled or delayed due to exceptional circumstances: what am I entitled to?
If your Ryanair flight has been canceled or delayed due to exceptional circumstances, you are entitled to:
- Ticket Refund: You can cancel your trip and get a ticket refund.
- Reprotection on an alternate flight: Ryanair will offer you an alternative flight with the same destination.
- Reimbursement of extra expenses: You can claim reimbursement for documented expenses such as overnight stays, meals, and unexpected transportation.
In these cases, you are NOT entitled to damages because Ryanair is not directly responsible for the disservice.
Claims can be submitted through Ryanair’s website or with the assistance of authorized intermediaries.
Ryanair overbooked flight: what am I entitled to?
If your Ryanair flight is overbooked and you are denied boarding, you are entitled to:
- Ticket Refund: You can cancel your trip and get a ticket refund.
- Rebooking on an alternate flight.: Ryanair must offer a seat on the first available flight with the same destination.
- Reimbursement of extra expenses: You can claim reimbursement for documented expenses such as overnight stays, meals, and unexpected transportation.
- Compensation: You are entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the route.
You can apply for refund and compensation for overbooking through Ryanair’s website or through authorized intermediaries.
Ryanair lost luggage: what am I entitled to?
If Ryanair has lost your luggage (more than 21 days after reporting), you are entitled to:
- Reimbursement of expenses incurred to purchase basic necessities and clothing. Luxury goods are not reimbursable, although they were present inside the luggage.
- Compensation: You are entitled to compensation for the value of your luggage and the goods contained therein, up to a maximum of SDR 1,000 (about €1164).
If the case is delivered within 21 days of reporting, you are entitled to:
- Reimbursement of expenses.: Reimbursement for basic necessities purchased as replacements.
- Compensation: Compensation for delayed baggage delivery, with the value increasing according to the number of days of delayed delivery, up to a maximum of SDR 1,000.
You can apply for reimbursement and compensation for the loss of your suitcase o baggage delay on Ryanair’s website or through authorized intermediaries.
Problems on the Flight? Get compensation up to 600€
Get compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation or overbooking occurred within the last 2 years.
