Compensation for a delayed or cancelled Ryanair flight

Ryanair flight delay compensation.

Passengers who arrive more than three hours late may be entitled to compensation for a delayed flight from Ryanair of up to €600.

There are some exceptional circumstances that would exempt the airline from paying compensation such as bad weather, problems at the airport, a strike by traffic control or airport staff. In order to benefit from this, the actual cause of the flight problem must be proven by the airline.

If the flight delay is due to a technical problem or Ryanair staff strike then compensation is due.

Depending on the route of the flight you have a different time limit to make a claim against the company, but there is a limitation period of at least 1 year from the date of the flight during which time you can make your claim.

If you have a delayed Ryanair flight, you can fill in your flight details on our website. Our team will check and let you know what the airline owes you. We will be there to assist you with your Ryanair flight delay compensation.

Compensation for cancelled Ryanair flight

If you have a flight with Ryanair and it is cancelled less than 14 days before the flight date, then you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 for the cancellation. Check here

In addition to compensation, Regulation 261 entitles you to a replacement flight or a refund of the ticket price, as well as care - food, drinks, hotel, airport-hotel-airport transfer when the replacement flight is the next day. All this must be provided by the airline, even if the flight is cancelled at the last minute due to extraordinary circumstances.

Ryanair does not owe you compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond their control. For example - in very bad weather conditions, a problem at the airport or traffic control restrictions.

However, in most cases, passengers whose flight is cancelled just before the scheduled departure time have the right to make a compensation claim against Ryanair.

What compensation should Ryanair pay?

Under EU Regulation 261, the amount of compensation depends on the length of the route:

In individual cases there are exceptions and special circumstances that may affect the value of the benefit. For example - re-routing and a small difference in arrival times at final destination.

You can check the compensation due from Ryanair for your flight in our Calculator here.

Reimbursement of ticket price and other expenses.

You have the right to ask Ryanair for a refund of your ticket if the flight is:

• Been cancelled and have not provided you with another;
• You are more than 5 hours late and have decided not to travel;
• There was an overbooking and the airline didn't provide you with a replacement flight.

You have the right to ask Ryanair:

• To reimburse you for food, drink, hotel accommodation and transport if you have accepted re-routing and these things have not been provided for you.
• To reimburse you for the costs you have incurred to reach your final destination if you have not been offered a choice between re-routing and reimbursement and have had to make your own alternative travel arrangements.

What do you need to know about Ryanair?

Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline founded in 1984. Initially the company operated only one route, between Waterford and London Gatwick Airport, using a 15-seat Embraer Bandeirante aircraft.

In 1997, following the deregulation of the aviation market in Europe, Ryanair adopted the business model of a low-cost carrier, which led to significant growth and the airline established itself as a leader among low-cost airlines in Europe, thanks to its strategy of low fares and operation at smaller airports, allowing savings on high airport charges

In 2016, the company changed its strategy and started to offer flights to major airports as well, significantly expanding the scope of its services. Today, the company operates a fleet of 511 aircraft and offers over 225 destinations in Europe and beyond.

Ryanair is currently the largest airline in Europe in terms of passengers carried and fleet size among low-cost carriers. 

In Bulgaria, Ryanair operates from Sofia Airport, Varna Airport, Burgas Airport and Plovdiv Airport.