How to claim compensation from Ryanair

Do you have a Ryanair claim?

Ryanair’s notice of rights says you may be entitled to compensation if you were involuntarily denied boarding, your flight was cancelled (with less than 14 days’ notice), or it was delayed by three or more hours at arrival – unless extraordinary circumstances applied. Its help centre adds that a delay of less than 3 hours at the final destination gives no compensation.

The arrival delay is measured to when the doors open, not landing. If you were delayed 2 hours or more you were also entitled to meal vouchers, and if the delay passed 5 hours you could have taken a refund instead of flying. For deadlines, UK claims can be brought within 6 years (5 in Scotland); Irish and other EU passengers should check time limits by country.

Step by step: the myRyanair compensation form

1. Log in or create a myRyanair account. The EU261 compensation form redirects to the login page if you are not signed in.
2. Booked through an online travel agent? Ryanair may first ask you to complete its customer verification, because agents often do not pass on passengers’ email and payment details.
3. Enter the booking and flight. Have the booking reference, flight number and date ready, and note the actual arrival time from a flight tracker.
4. Bank details: Ryanair’s terms (clause 15.2.2) require details of a bank account held personally by the passenger submitting the claim, and Ryanair may ask for proof.
5. Other passengers: under clause 15.2.5, one passenger may claim and receive payment for others on the same booking; Ryanair may ask for evidence of their consent. Have that ready for adults travelling with you.
6. Track progress under My Support Cases in myRyanair.

Expenses – meals, hotels, transport – go on the separate expenses form with itemised receipts. Ryanair reviews compensation and expenses separately, so a rejected compensation claim does not stop you recovering expenses.

The 14-day rule and claims companies

Clause 15.2.2 of Ryanair’s terms says passengers must submit claims directly and allow Ryanair 14 days (or less, if the law sets a shorter time) to respond before engaging a third party. If Ryanair does not respond in time or you are unhappy with the answer, you may then use a third party. Where a third party claims without this step, Ryanair says it will only process the claim if it includes the passenger’s own contact and payment details, so it can pay the passenger directly. The terms also say they do not stop you consulting a lawyer or adviser first.

Ryanair’s help centre warns that claims management companies “may deduct up to 50% in fees”. Fees vary widely – see our honest comparison of claim companies, including our partner AirHelp. On a straightforward claim, going direct first costs nothing.

One more clause matters if you end up in court: Ryanair’s terms say you may sue in your local court, but Irish courts have exclusive jurisdiction over EU261 claims where clauses 15.2.1–15.2.8 were not complied with. Claiming directly first avoids that argument.

Common Ryanair rejections and how to answer them

• “Outside our control: ATC / weather”. Ask which restriction or weather event, at which airport, at what time, and how it delayed your flight by 3+ hours. Knock-on delays from earlier flights need a proven link – see knock-on delays.
• “Strike action”. A strike by Ryanair’s own staff is not extraordinary (C-28/20 Airhelp v SAS). French or other ATC strikes usually are.
• “External handling difficulties”. Ground handling is part of an airline’s normal operations; ask for specifics before accepting this.
• Technical problems. Ryanair’s list does not include ordinary technical faults – and the courts treat them as within the airline’s control (Wallentin-Hermann, C-549/07). See technical faults.
• “Arrival delay under 3 hours”. Check door-opening time with a flight tracker.
• “Claim must be made by the passenger”. Resubmit through your own myRyanair account with your own bank details.

Bird strikes, foreign object debris and medical emergencies are generally accepted as extraordinary – but you can still claim care costs. Case summaries: case law.

If Ryanair says no: ADR and court

Ryanair’s help centre says that if you are unhappy with a compensation decision you can contact your local ADR body. Its list includes:

Ireland is not on Ryanair’s ADR list; Irish passengers can go to the national enforcement body – see Ireland and Northern Ireland. AviationADR is free; apply after Ryanair’s final response or 8 weeks, and within 12 months of the final response. Use our ADR complaint template, and if that fails, a letter before action and the small claims court. More on Ryanair: Ryanair delay compensation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a myRyanair account to claim compensation?

Yes. Ryanair’s EU261 compensation form sends you to the myRyanair login page. Booked through an online agent? You may also need to complete Ryanair’s customer verification.

Can I claim for my family on one Ryanair claim?

Ryanair’s terms (clause 15.2.5) allow one passenger to claim and receive payment on behalf of others on the same booking, and Ryanair may ask for evidence of their consent.

How long does Ryanair take to decide a claim?

Ryanair says it can take 24–96 hours for its operations team to establish why a flight was disrupted, and its terms ask for 14 days to respond before you involve a third party. If there is no final answer after 8 weeks, UK passengers can go to AviationADR.

Can I use a claims company against Ryanair?

Yes, but Ryanair’s terms ask you to claim directly first and allow 14 days. If it does not respond or you disagree with the answer, you may use a third party. Ryanair warns that such firms may keep up to 50% in fees.

Ryanair rejected my claim. What next?

Ask for the specific cause and evidence, claim your expenses separately if you have not, then refer the case to AviationADR (UK) or the ADR body for your country listed by Ryanair. Court is the final step.

The Ryanair name belongs to its owner; EU261 Flight Delay is an independent information site and is not affiliated with Ryanair. Information only, not legal advice.

Sources

1. If my flight has been delayed by 2 hours or more. What are my options? – Ryanair Help Centre
2. UK notice of your rights in the event of denied boarding, flight delay or flight cancellation (V17) – Ryanair
3. General Terms & Conditions of Carriage (clauses 2.3, 14.4, 15.2) – Ryanair
4. Claims Management Companies – Ryanair Help Centre
5. I’m not happy with my EU261 compensation decision. Is there anything else I can do? – Ryanair Help Centre
6. ADR Details – Ryanair Help Centre
7. Compensation will not be paid for the following reasons – Ryanair Help Centre
8. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) – UK Civil Aviation Authority
9. AviationADR – complaints process and participating members – AviationADR

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