Ryanair Cancelled My Flight — How to Claim Up to €600 Compensation

If Ryanair — or any airline — has cancelled your flight or delayed it by more than three hours, you are almost certainly entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. This law applies to all flights departing from an EU airport or arriving at one on an EU carrier, regardless of the ticket price or whether you booked directly or through a third party. The amounts are fixed: €250 for flights under 1,500km, €400 for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, and €600 for flights over 3,500km.

Airlines routinely try to avoid paying. The most common tactic is claiming 'extraordinary circumstances' — events outside the airline's control such as severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security threats. However, EU courts have consistently ruled that technical faults, crew shortages, and IT system failures are NOT extraordinary circumstances. If Ryanair cancelled your flight because of a staffing issue or a mechanical problem, they owe you compensation. Period.

To claim, start by contacting Ryanair directly through their website's EU261 compensation form. Be specific: include your booking reference, flight number, date, and the exact disruption (cancellation, delay over 3 hours, or denied boarding). If they reject your claim or offer vouchers instead of cash, do not accept. Vouchers are not a substitute for the cash compensation you are legally entitled to. You have the right to insist on payment in euros to your bank account.

If Ryanair refuses or ignores your claim after 6 weeks, escalate to the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) at aviationreg.ie. CAR is the Irish enforcement body for EU261 and can investigate your complaint at no cost. You can also use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform (ec.europa.eu/odr) for cross-border flights. Do not pay a claims company 25-35% of your compensation — you can do this yourself for free. Our step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process.