With summer fast approaching, many of us have trips booked or are planning to organise a getaway this year.
Hopefully, plans will go without a hitch but it's always good to be prepared in case they don't.
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Unfortunately, delays and cancellations happen. These are often down to weather, technical issues, or staff sicknesses.
But what should you do - and what are you entitled to - if your Ryanair flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines may have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. But this depends on what caused the delay, so if it wasn’t the airline’s fault, don’t expect a pay-out.
The CAA says passengers subjected to disruptions caused by things like extreme weather or staff strikes will not eligible for compensation. Aside from this, the amount of cash you're entitled to is determined by the length of your flight.
Passengers hit with a delay of more than three hours travelling on a short-haul flight (under 1,500km - e.g. Liverpool to Paris) can expect £220 compensation. For medium-haul flights, it's £350, and for long-haul flights (over 3,500km) it's £520 - though if your delay was less than four hours this halves, to £260.
If you have been delayed for more than five hours and no longer wish to travel then you are entitled to a full refund. If you are a transfer passenger and missed your connection flight because your first flight was delayed, you are also entitled to a flight back to your original departure point.
Under UK law, airlines must provide you with care and assistance if your flight is cancelled.
On the Ryanair website, the airline states:
If you have experienced a flight delay or flight cancellation and you choose to be re-routed as soon as possible, you may be entitled to the following:
- Meals and Refreshments that are reasonable in relation to the waiting time
- Two telephone calls or e-mails;
- Reasonable hotel accommodation where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary;
- Transport that is reasonable between the airport and place of accommodation (hotel or other).
Applying for Compensation
Customers who wish to submit expenses for travel/transport/or refreshments or a compensation claim following a flight cancellation or delay over 3 hours on arrival can fill out an EU261 claim form here.
Ryanair aims to process your claim within 10 days.
