When a Ryanair flight is cancelled or delayed due to a strike, it can create significant frustration and inconvenience for passengers. Strikes can affect various aspects of flight operations, from ground staff and baggage handlers to air traffic controllers, resulting in flight disruptions. While some strikes are beyond the airline’s control, passengers may still be entitled to compensation if their Ryanair flight is cancelled due to a strike or significantly delayed. Understanding your rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) is essential in these situations, as it outlines the protections and compensation available to passengers.
What is a Flight Strike?
A flight strike happens when airline employees, such as pilots, cabin crew, or ground staff, refuse to work due to disputes over labour conditions, pay, or working hours. These strikes can lead to major disruptions, causing flight delays or flight cancellations. In some cases, strikes may also involve air traffic controllers or airport staff, which can affect multiple airlines and create widespread travel chaos. While strikes are often considered outside the airline’s control, they can have a direct impact on passengers’ ability to reach their final destination on time.
Passenger Rights in Case of Ryanair Flight Delay or Cancellation Due to Strike
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers are protected when a Ryanair flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike. If the strike involves Ryanair workers, such as pilots or cabin crew, passengers are entitled to compensation. Notably, since the European Court of Justice ruling (ECJ, C-28/20 from 23.3.2021), airline personnel strikes are no longer considered an extraordinary circumstance. This means that passengers affected by a Ryanair workers’ strike can claim compensation, as the airline is responsible for managing internal labour disputes. Passengers are entitled to a Ryanair flight cancelled due to strike compensation if their flight was cancelled because of a strike and no suitable alternative flight was provided by the airline.
Even if compensation does not apply—such as in the case of strikes involving external parties like air traffic controllers—Ryanair must still provide passengers with assistance. This includes meals, refreshments, and accommodation if the delay results in an overnight stay. Additionally, passengers are entitled to a refund or re-routing if their flight is cancelled, ensuring they can continue their journey or recover the cost of their ticket in the event of cancelled flights.
When Are You Entitled to Ryanair Strike Compensation?
Passengers are entitled to Ryanair strike compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 if their flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike involving Ryanair personnel, such as pilots or cabin crew. According to a 2021 ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ, C-28/20), airline personnel strikes are not considered an extraordinary circumstance, meaning the airline is responsible and must compensate affected passengers. Compensation can range from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance and the delay in reaching the final destination.
You are entitled to compensation if:
- The strike involves Ryanair staff, such as pilots or cabin crew.
- Your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more upon arrival at your final destination.
- Your flight is cancelled, and you were notified less than 14 days before departure.
- The strike caused significant flight disruptions that were within Ryanair’s control.
However, you are not entitled to compensation if:
- The strike involves external parties, such as air traffic control or airport staff, which are considered extraordinary circumstances.
- The airline offers an alternative flight that gets you to your destination with a minor delay (within the time frame set by EU261).
- The cancellation or delay occurred more than 14 days before your scheduled flight.
Understanding when you are entitled to compensation ensures you can rightfully claim if a Ryanair flight strike disrupts your travel plans.
Compensation in Case of Ryanair Flight Delay or Cancellation Due to Strike
Passengers impacted by a Ryanair flight delay or cancellation due to a strike are entitled to compensation if the airline fails to offer a suitable alternative flight, ensuring they are not left stranded or heavily inconvenienced.
Flight Cancellation Compensation
If your Ryanair flight is cancelled due to a strike and the airline notified you less than 14 days before departure, you are entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. The compensation applies if Ryanair was unable to offer an alternative flight that would get you to your final destination at a similar time. Compensation ranges from €250 to €600, depending on the distance of the flight. This ensures that passengers affected by Ryanair flights cancelled due to a strike are fairly compensated for the inconvenience caused.
The compensation breakdown based on flight distance and delay is as follows:
| Distance | Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | 4+ hours | Never Arrived |
| All flights 1,500 km or less | 125€ | 250€ | 250€ | 250€ | 250€ |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | 200€ | 400€ | 400€ | 400€ | 400€ |
| Non-internal EU flights 1,500-3,500 km | 200€ | 400€ | 400€ | 400€ | 400€ |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | 300€ | 600€ | 600€ | 600€ | 600€ |
This table outlines the compensation amounts based on flight distance and delay duration, ensuring that passengers affected by Ryanair flight cancellations due to strike receive appropriate compensation.
Flight Delay Compensation
An airline strike can result in significant delays, often causing passengers to arrive at their final destination much later than planned. If your Ryanair flight is delayed due to a strike and the delay causes you to arrive 3 hours or more late, you are entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. Compensation amounts depend on the flight distance and range from €250 to €600. This ensures that passengers affected by a Ryanair flight delay due to strike compensation are fairly compensated for the disruption.
The breakdown of compensation based on flight distance and delay is as follows:
| Distance | Less than 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never arrived |
| All flights 1,500 km or less | ❌ | €250 | €250 | €250 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | ❌ | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km | ❌ | €400 | €400 | €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | ❌ | €300 | €600 | €600 |
This table outlines the compensation amounts based on the length of the delay and flight distance, ensuring that passengers receive the compensation they are entitled to when their Ryanair flight is delayed due to a strike.
Which Ryanair Flights Are Covered by EU 261
EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to a wide range of Ryanair flights, ensuring passengers’ rights are protected in cases of delays, cancellations, or denied boarding. The regulation covers:
- Flights departing from an EU airport: Any Ryanair flight that takes off from an airport within the European Union, regardless of destination, is covered by EU261.
- Flights arriving at an EU airport operated by an EU airline: If your flight lands at an EU airport and is operated by Ryanair or another EU-based airline, it is covered under this regulation.
- Flights between EU countries: Any flight within the European Union, such as a domestic or intra-EU flight, is also fully protected under EU261.
Here is a quick breakdown of which flights are covered:
| 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 |
Understanding which Ryanair flights are covered by EU261 helps passengers know when they are protected and when they can claim compensation, particularly in cases like Ryanair flight cancellations due to strike or long delays.
How to Claim Ryanair Strike Compensation
If your Ryanair flight was cancelled or delayed due to a strike, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. The process to claim compensation can be simplified by following these steps:
- Complete our Compensation Form: Start by filling out our easy-to-use online form. You will need to provide details such as your flight number, the date of the flight, and a brief explanation of the disruption caused by the strike.
- Submit supporting documents: Attach any relevant documents such as your boarding pass, booking confirmation, and any communication from Ryanair about the cancellation or delay. This will help strengthen your claim.
- Let us handle the rest: As a certified partner specializing in air passenger rights, we will take over from here. Our team will work directly with Ryanair to ensure that your claim is processed efficiently and that you receive the compensation you are entitled to, whether it’s for Ryanair flight strike disruptions or other issues.
Our service makes claiming Ryanair strike compensation straightforward, saving you the hassle of dealing with the airline on your own.
Other Rights Covered by Regulation EU261
Beyond monetary compensation for flight delays or cancellations, EU Regulation 261/2004 provides passengers with essential protections to minimize the impact of travel disruptions. These rights apply even in situations where financial compensation isn’t applicable, ensuring that passengers receive the necessary support throughout any flight disruptions, such as delays, cancellations, or denied boarding.
Right to Care
When a Ryanair flight is delayed by two or more hours, the airline is required to provide basic services to make the waiting time more manageable. This includes offering meals and refreshments suited to the length of the delay, and access to communication methods like phone calls or emails to keep family or business contacts informed. For extended delays, especially those requiring an overnight stay, Ryanair must also arrange hotel accommodations and transport to and from the airport, ensuring passengers are not left stranded due to disruptions like Ryanair flight cancellations due to strike.
Ticket Refund or Re-routing
For passengers facing delays exceeding five hours or cancellations, you are given the choice between a full refund or an alternative flight to your destination. If you opt for the refund, it will cover the entire cost of your ticket, including any unused segments of your journey. Alternatively, if you choose to continue your trip, Ryanair must offer a re-routing option at no additional cost to your final destination. If your travel plans are significantly affected and you decide not to proceed, you may also request a return flight to your original point of departure.
Upgrading and Downgrading
In cases where Ryanair offers you a seat on an alternative flight, and you’re lucky enough to be upgraded to a higher class than your original booking, the airline cannot charge you extra. However, if the airline moves you to a lower class, you are entitled to a refund of 30% to 75% of your ticket price, based on the length of your flight. This regulation ensures passengers are compensated fairly if they receive a lower level of service than what was originally paid for, especially in the event of flight disruptions.