Quick Facts about Cancellation Compensation
Question | Quick Answer |
What is EU261 for cancellations? | EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles passengers to €250, €400 or €600 if cancelled with more than 14 days notice and not extraordinary circumstances. Source: EC.europa.eu. |
Eligible for Ryanair? | Yes, if EU/UK flight, <14 days notice, and airline at fault. |
Compensation range? | €250-€600 based on distance. |
AireClaim success rate? | 98% with no win no fee. |
Time limit to claim? | Up to 6 years in most EU countries (5 in UK). |
Additional rights? | Refund, rebooking, meals, hotel if needed. |
When Can You Claim Compensation?
Direct answer: You can claim if notified less than 14 days before departure, the cancellation isn't due to extraordinary circumstances, and your rebooked flight arrives later.
Notified <14 days in advance (e.g., operational issues, crew shortages).
Flights from/to EU or on EU airline like Ryanair.
Rebooked arrival >2-4 hours late depending on distance.
Confirmed booking and check-in.
Not extraordinary (e.g., technical faults are compensable).
Extraordinary circumstances (e.g., severe weather, air traffic control strikes not airline-specific).
Notified ≥14 days ahead.
Passenger no-show or voluntary changes.
Example: Ryanair cancellation from Madrid to London 5 days before—eligible for €250 if rebooked late.
How Much Compensation Can You Get?
Direct answer: Fixed compensation of €250 to €600 per passenger, based sed on flight distance and notice period, plus refunds/care.
250€
Up to 1500 km
(Dublin - Paris)
400€
From 1500 km to 3500 km
(Athens - London)
600€
More than 3500 km
(EU - North Africa)
Plus: Full refund if you choose not to fly, or rebooking; care like meals after 2 hours wait. In 2025, disruptions affected millions .
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No win, No fee All flights All destinations
Vouchers vs Cash Refund and Compensation
Direct answer: Opt for cash over vouchers—EU261 requires monetary compensation and refunds, even if Ryanair offers vouchers first.
- Vouchers: Often proposed by Ryanair for future travel, but not a substitute for €250-€600.
- Cash: Fixed, tax-free amount; AireClaim secures it quickly.
- Refunds: Full ticket price if cancellation <14 days and you decline rebooking.
Many accept vouchers and miss cash—claim both rights with expert help.
Ryanair Cancellation Statistics
Direct answer: Ryanair, Europe's top low-cost airline, faced notable disruptions in 2025, including cancellations.
- Over 150 million passengers annually across 200+ destinations.
- 7.9% disrupted flights in 2025 (delays/cancellations), down from 10% in 2024 .
- 21 million passengers affected by delays/cancellations due to ATC issues .
- Fewer overall cancellations in Europe 2025, but Ryanair among leaders in disruptions .
- Operates 2,000+ daily flights; major hubs: Dublin, London Stansted, Madrid.
Compensation Comparison Table
Distance
| Notice period | Compensation | Example Route (Ryanair) | Source |
<1,500 km | <14 days | €250 | Dublin to Berlin | EU261 Art. 5 |
1,500-3,500 km | <14 days | €400 | London to Rome |
EU261 Art. 5 |
>3,500 km | <14 days | €600 | EU to Morocco |
EU261 Art. 5 |
Any | During wait | Meals/Hotel | All routes | EU261 Art. 9 |
How to Claim with AireClaim
Direct answer: Our process is straightforward—submit in minutes, we handle the rest under EU261.
- Enter flight details: Airports, dates, cancellation reason.
- Provide evidence: Booking confirmation (we assist if missing).
- Submit form: Free eligibility review.
- We contact Ryanair: Negotiate, challenge denials, go to court if needed.
- Receive payment: 98% success, no fees unless won (25% commission).
Why Choose Aireclaim?
- No win no fee: Zero upfront costs.
- 98% success against Ryanair denials.
- Fully online: Multilingual for all Europe/UK.
- Legal experts: Specialize in EU261 challenges.
- Comprehensive: Covers compensation, refunds, expenses.
Pros and Cons of Using a Professional Service
Direct answer: Services like AireClaim boost success to 98% vs Ryanair's low voluntary payouts, per industry stats.
- Pros:
- Expert handling of denials (e.g., extraordinary claims).
- Minimal effort: We do paperwork/legal.
- Free unless successful.
- Quicker resolutions (4-8 weeks average).
- Full EU261 knowledge.
- Cons:
- Commission on win (30-50%).
- Slightly longer than direct (but effective for disputes).
- Requires Ryanair flight details from you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ryanair Flight Cancellation Claims
Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261), passengers may be entitled to financial compensation between €250 and €600 if their flight is cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice.
Yes. EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all passengers regardless of nationality.
Not compensable if extraordinary circumstances apply; but you can still ask for expenses and refund/rebooking is possible.
You can claim compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 for up to 6 years, depending on the country where the claim is filed. The exact time limit varies by jurisdiction, but most EU countries allow claims several years after the flight disruption.
Yes. Accepting a travel voucher does not cancel your right to cash compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
Vouchers are separate from statutory compensation and cannot replace it unless you explicitly agreed to waive your rights.
You usually need your booking confirmation and any cancellation or delay notice from the airline. If documents are missing, Aireclaim can assist in obtaining the required information.
Yes. If all flights were on the same booking, you may be entitled to EU261 compensation. Eligibility depends on the final arrival delay and whether the cause was within the airline’s control.
Yes. Under EU261, airlines must cover meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation during long delays or overnight waits. They must also provide transport between the airport and hotel where necessary.
Yes. UK261 applies to UK flight cancellations and largely mirrors EU Regulation 261/2004. Passengers may still be entitled to £220–£520 compensation, depending on flight distance and circumstances.
For flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, EU261 sets compensation at €400 per passenger. This applies if the delay or cancellation meets the eligibility conditions under the regulation.
If Ryanair rejects a valid claim, Aireclaim escalates the case legally through ADR or court action where appropriate. We handle the full process on your behalf, with a 98% success rate on eligible claims.