Claim Flight Compensation (EU261)

Your flight must meet one of these conditions under EU Regulation 261/2004:

• Depart from an EU airport (any airline, EU or non-EU)
• Arrive into the EU on an EU-licensed carrier (e.g. Ryanair, Aer Lingus)

And one of these must apply:

• Your flight arrived 3+ hours late (measured when doors opened at the gate)
• Your flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice
• You were denied boarding against your will (overbooking)

Compensation is based on the flight distance, not the ticket price:

These amounts apply regardless of whether you paid €30 or €300 for the ticket.

Collect everything you can before contacting the airline:

• Boarding pass or booking confirmation (email, app screenshot, or PDF)
• Screenshot of the departure board showing the delay
• Note the exact arrival time — this is when the aircraft doors opened at the gate, not when it touched down
• Receipts for any expenses incurred (meals, transport, accommodation)
• Emails or texts from the airline about the delay or cancellation

Always start by using the airline's own EU261 claim form:

• Ryanair: Go to ryanair.com→ Help → Claim EU261 compensation
• Aer Lingus: Go to aerlingus.com→ Help → EU261 claim

Include all flight details (flight number, date, route) and attach your evidence. Be specific about the delay — state the exact hours and minutes.

Airlines typically have 6–8 weeks to respond to your claim.

Many airlines will reject your claim initially with a template response. Common excuses include:

• “Extraordinary circumstances”
• “Weather-related disruption”
• “Air traffic control restrictions”

If the airline claims extraordinary circumstances, ask them for proof. They must demonstrate that the disruption was genuinely beyond their control.

• Technical faults are NOT extraordinary circumstances — established by the CJEU in Wallentin-Hermann v Alitalia (C-549/07)
• Staff shortages (pilot sickness, crew availability) are NOT extraordinary circumstances
• If the reason was weather but your flight was delayed 12+ hours, the airline likely could and should have rerouted you sooner

The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR)is Ireland's enforcement body for EU261.

• File a complaint at aviationreg.ie
• Free to use
• CAR will investigate your complaint and can order the airline to pay

Make sure you have already claimed directly with the airline and received a rejection (or no response after a reasonable period) before escalating to CAR.

Airlines have a duty of care while you wait. These rights apply in addition to compensation:

• 2+ hour delay: Meals and refreshments, 2 phone calls or emails
• 5+ hour delay: Right to abandon your journey for a full refund
• Overnight delay: Hotel accommodation and transport to/from the hotel

The airline must provide these at the airport, or reimburse you if you paid out of pocket. Keep all receipts.

If the airline still refuses to pay after CAR involvement, you can file in the Small Claims Court:

• Filing fee: €25
• Claims up to €2,000
• No solicitor needed — the process is designed for ordinary consumers

Many airlines settle as soon as they receive the court summons. They know the law is on your side and fighting it costs them more than paying up.

Companies like AirHelp take 25–35%of your compensation. For a €400 claim, that's €100–€140 gone.

For straightforward claims — clear delay, no weather issues — do it yourself using the steps above. It costs nothing and takes 20 minutes.

Only consider a claims company if you're outside the time limit, the case is legally complex, or you simply don't have the time.