When Ryanair denies boarding to passengers due to overbooking, those affected may be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. Denied boarding is a frustrating experience that often disrupts travel plans, especially when the flight is oversold and passengers are involuntarily bumped. In such cases, Ryanair must compensate passengers for the inconvenience, with compensation amounts depending on the flight distance and the length of the delay. Whether you’ve been bumped from a Ryanair flight or experienced a delayed flight, it’s important to take action to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
What Does Denied Boarding Mean?
Denied boarding happens when a passenger with a confirmed booking is not allowed to board a flight, even though they have met all the requirements and arrived on time. This issue often arises due to overbooking, where the airline sells more tickets than there are seats available. Overbooking is a common airline practice to compensate for potential no-shows, but when everyone shows up, some passengers may be left behind.
There are two types of denied boarding:
- Voluntary Denied Boarding: Ryanair may ask for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation such as vouchers, alternative flights, or travel credits. If you agree to give up your seat voluntarily, you are not entitled to Ryanair denied boarding compensation under EU261.
- Involuntary Denied Boarding: If not enough passengers volunteer, the airline may involuntarily deny boarding to some passengers. In this case, you are eligible for Ryanair involuntary denied boarding compensation, which includes monetary compensation and additional assistance, such as meals, refreshments, and accommodation if required.
Being denied boarding involuntarily is a disruptive and frustrating experience, but EU Regulation 261/2004 ensures passengers are compensated when the airline is at fault.
Passenger Rights in Case Ryanair Denied Boarding
If you are denied boarding on a Ryanair flight, particularly due to overbooking, your rights are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004. Affected passengers are entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay.
In addition to monetary compensation, Ryanair must provide immediate assistance, which includes snacks and drinks during the waiting period. If the delay extends further, you are also entitled to meals, accommodation, and transport to and from the hotel if an overnight stay is required.
Furthermore, you have the right to choose between a ticket refund or a replacement flight to your final destination. If you no longer wish to continue your journey, you can request a full refund of your ticket, along with a return flight to your original point of departure if applicable. These rights ensure that passengers affected by Ryanair denied boarding receive both compensation and adequate care to mitigate the disruption.
When Are You Entitled to Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation?
You are entitled to Ryanair denied boarding compensation if the airline overbooked the flight or could not transport you as planned, and the disruption was within Ryanair’s control. Compensation typically ranges from €250 to €600 under EU Regulation 261/2004, depending on the flight distance and the length of delay.
To qualify for compensation, the following conditions must be met:
- You checked in on time: You must have checked in for your flight according to Ryanair’s requirements, usually at least 45 minutes before departure.
- Your flight was within the last three years: Compensation claims can be made for flights affected within the past three years.
- The flight departed from the EU or landed in the EU: If your flight departed from an EU airport or landed in the EU on a European airline, such as Ryanair, you are eligible under EU261.
- You had a valid booking and ticket: A confirmed booking and valid ticket are required to qualify for Ryanair involuntary denied boarding compensation.
It’s also important to note that the type of booking—whether it’s for business or leisure, part of a package holiday, or a single booking—is irrelevant to your eligibility for compensation. If all of these conditions are met, you may be entitled to compensation, along with additional care such as meals, refreshments, and alternative travel arrangements.
Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation
When passengers are denied boarding on a Ryanair flight, they are entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, provided the situation is within the airline’s control, such as overbooking. The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance and the length of the delay caused by the denied boarding. This compensation is designed to account for the inconvenience passengers experience when they are unable to travel as scheduled.
Here is a breakdown of the compensation amounts based on flight distance:
| Distance | Compensation |
| All flights 1,500 km or less | €250 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 km – 3,500 km | €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | €600 |
This table outlines the compensation you can claim if you’ve been bumped from a Ryanair flight due to overbooking or similar issues. The compensation is designed to ensure that passengers are fairly compensated for delays and disruptions caused by the airline’s actions.
Which Ryanair Flights Are Covered by EU 261?
EU Regulation 261/2004 protects passengers on a wide range of Ryanair flights, ensuring compensation and care when flights are delayed, cancelled, or passengers are denied boarding. This regulation applies based on both the flight’s itinerary and whether the airline is based in the EU. As Ryanair is an EU-based carrier, the majority of its flights are covered under this regulation.
Here is a summary of which flights are covered under EU261:
| Itinerary | EU Air Carrier | Non-EU Air Carrier |
| From inside the EU to inside the EU | Covered | Covered |
| From inside the EU to outside the EU | Covered | Covered |
| From outside the EU to inside the EU | Covered | Not Covered |
| From outside the EU to outside the EU | Not Covered | Not Covered |
This table clarifies that flights departing from or landing in the EU on EU-based airlines, such as Ryanair, are fully covered by EU261. However, flights that are both outside the EU and operated by non-EU carriers are not covered. Understanding which flights fall under these protections is essential when claiming Ryanair denied boarding compensation or other passenger rights under EU261.
How to Claim Ryanair Denied Boarding Compensation
If you’ve been denied boarding on a Ryanair flight, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. The process for claiming Ryanair denied boarding compensation is straightforward but requires submitting the necessary information accurately.
To claim compensation:
- Fill Out our Compensation Form: Start by completing our online form, which captures key details such as your flight number, date, and the reason for the disruption. This form ensures that all necessary information is collected efficiently, making the process easier for you.
- Provide supporting documents: Include documents such as your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any communication from Ryanair about the denied boarding.
- Submit your claim: Once you’ve completed the form, our team of experts will take over. We specialize in handling compensation claims under EU261 and will work directly with Ryanair to ensure your case is processed quickly and accurately. Whether you were bumped from a Ryanair flight or experienced Ryanair involuntarily denied boarding, we will manage the claim process to secure your rightful compensation.
Our form simplifies the process of claiming Ryanair involuntary denied boarding compensation, saving you time and helping you avoid the complexities of dealing with the airline yourself. We ensure that you get the compensation you’re entitled to, whether it’s for being bumped from a Ryanair flight or other disruptions.
Other Rights Covered by Regulation EU261
In addition to monetary compensation for flight delays, cancellations, or denied boarding, EU Regulation 261/2004 grants passengers additional rights aimed at ensuring their comfort and well-being during disruptions. These rights apply even when compensation is not due, such as in extraordinary circumstances, offering essential support for passengers during lengthy delays or cancellations.
Right to Care
Passengers are entitled to care when their flight is delayed by two hours or more, regardless of the reason for the disruption. This care includes meals and refreshments appropriate to the length of the delay, as well as access to communication services, such as phone calls or emails. If the delay extends overnight, Ryanair is required to provide accommodation and transport to and from the airport. These measures are in place to support passengers during flight delays and ensure they are not left stranded or inconvenienced.
Upgrading and Downgrading
If Ryanair offers you an alternative flight due to a delay or cancellation, and you are upgraded to a higher class than what you originally booked, the airline cannot charge you extra. On the other hand, if you are downgraded to a lower class, you are entitled to a refund of 30-75% of your ticket price, depending on the flight distance. This rule ensures passengers are treated fairly and compensated appropriately when the service level they paid for is not provided.
Ticket Refund or Re-routing
If your flight is delayed by more than five hours or cancelled, you have the right to choose between a full refund or an alternative flight to your destination. If you decide not to continue your journey, Ryanair must refund the entire cost of the ticket, including any unused portions. Alternatively, they must offer a re-routing option at no additional cost. In cases where you have already flown part of your journey, Ryanair must also provide a return flight to your original point of departure if you decide to abandon the trip.