Were you denied boarding by Ryanair even though you had a valid ticket?
If you were refused entry onto your Ryanair flight against your will, you may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 — plus care and assistance at the airport.
What is denied boarding?
Denied boarding happens when an airline refuses to let you board a flight you have a confirmed ticket for, despite arriving at the airport and checking in on time.
This often happens because of:
- Overbooking (selling more tickets than seats available)
- Aircraft changes resulting in fewer available seats
- Operational mismanagement
If the denial was Ryanair ’s decision and not your fault, you may be entitled to both compensation and assistance.
When are you entitled to denied boarding compensation from Ryanair?
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you can claim compensation if:
- You had a valid booking and checked in on time
- Boarding was denied against your will
- The flight departed from the EU, or was operated by an EU airline arriving in the EU
- The denial wasn’t due to extraordinary circumstances or your own conduct (e.g., missing documents)
Ryanair denied boarding: what are your care rights at the airport?
If you’re denied boarding, the Ryanair must immediately offer you:
- Meals and refreshments
- Access to phone calls or email
- Hotel accommodation if you must wait overnight
- Transport between the hotel and airport
These rights apply regardless of the reason for denied boarding.
More about Ryanair
Founded in 1984, Ryanair is one of the largest low-cost airlines in Europe, carrying over 150 million passengers annually. It operates more than 2,000 flights per day and serves over 200 destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Ryanair and Passenger Complaints:
- Ryanair has faced numerous legal actions regarding denied compensation claims
- The airline frequently disputes technical issues and crew delays, claiming them as "extraordinary"
- Aireclaim has extensive experience in successfully claiming compensation from Ryanair
Common Ryanair Departure Airports:
- London Stansted (STN)
- Dublin (DUB)
- Madrid (MAD)
- Lisbon (LIS)
- Barcelona (BCN)
How much can you get for denied boarding compensation with Ryanair?
The amount of flight claim compensation you receive by Ryanair depends on the distance of your flight and can be €250, €400, or €600. You can also claim for care expenses with food, transport and accommodation as well as a refund of the alternative flight.
250€
Up to 1500 km
400€
From 1500 km to 3500 km
600€
More than 3500 km
How to claim Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation Step-by-Step
Claiming your flight cancellation compensation with AireClaim is quick and simple:
1. Complete your flight compensation form
- Enter your departure airport and final destination.
- Indicate if you had connecting flights.
2. Add your disruption details
- Select the type of disruption (delay, cancellation, missed connection).
- Enter the scheduled and actual arrival times.
3. Provide the reason for the disruption (if known)
4. Review and submit
- We’ll analyse your case, contact Ryanair, and handle all the paperwork at no upfront cost.
Our process covers all types of air travel disruptions from cancellations to flight delays and missed flights — ensuring you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
You can start your claim now using our secure online form:
FAQs About Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation
Airlines have the ability to complicate compensation claims, delaying or rejecting them and making the process irritating.
We can help with that. We take care of all the paperwork, discussions, and even court appearances, saving you the trouble. Our professionals maximize your chances of winning because they are experienced in air passenger rights laws. Additionally, we don't charge a service fee until we are successful in getting you paid.
You can still claim your flight compensation if:
- The initial boarding denial caused you to miss your connecting flight.
- Your final arrival at the destination was more than 3 hours late.
- Both flights were part of the same booking.
Learn more about our full process for missed connection compensation.
Yes, your citizenship does not impact your rights as an air passenger.