Ryanair rejected your compensation claim: what to do
A first "no" from Ryanair is not the end of your claim. Europe's largest airline turns down a large share of first compensation requests, often with a single line about "extraordinary circumstances", a "technical issue" or an "operational reason". What matters is not the wording but whether Ryanair has actually proved a lawful reason not to pay, because under both EU261 and UK261 the burden of proof sits with the airline, not with you.
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Short answer: Read the exact reason Ryanair gave, then hold it to the legal test. The carrier must prove that an extraordinary circumstance occurred and that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the disruption. If it cannot, and still refuses, escalate to the enforcement body for your departure airport and, if needed, take the claim to court. Strikes by Ryanair's own pilots or crew and most technical faults are not valid defences.
First, confirm which regime applies
Ryanair flies heavily between the UK, Ireland and continental Europe, so the rules depend on where the disrupted flight took off. A flight departing an EU or EEA airport, or arriving in the EU on Ryanair as an EU carrier, is covered by EU261, with compensation of EUR 250, EUR 400 or EUR 600. A flight departing a UK airport, including Ryanair's biggest base at London Stansted, is covered by UK261, at GBP 220, GBP 350 or GBP 520. Departures from Dublin, Cork or Shannon are Irish and therefore EU261 in euros. Our guide on which rules apply and the broader UK261 vs EU261 explainer set this out in full.
The trigger in both regimes is the same: an arrival delay of three hours or more at your final destination (C-402/07 Sturgeon). For a connection, the delay and distance to that final destination govern, not the leg where things went wrong (C-11/11 Folkerts).
| Distance | EU261 (EU/Ireland departures) | UK261 (UK departures) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | EUR 250 | GBP 220 |
| 1,500-3,500 km (and intra-EU over 1,500 km) | EUR 400 | GBP 350 |
| Over 3,500 km | EUR 600 | GBP 520 |
The burden of proof is on Ryanair
This is the most important point after a rejection. You do not have to disprove Ryanair's excuse; Ryanair has to prove it. To escape paying, it must show both that the cause was a genuine extraordinary circumstance and that it took all reasonable measures to prevent the disruption. A refusal that simply asserts "extraordinary circumstances" with no documents does not meet that standard, which is exactly what most first rejections contain.
Rebutting the common excuses
"Technical fault"
Most technical and maintenance problems are not extraordinary. The Court of Justice held in C-549/07 (Wallentin-Hermann) that a fault emerging during maintenance or through normal operation is inherent in running an airline, and in C-257/14 (van der Lans) that even a surprise, premature component failure does not count. If Ryanair blames "an unforeseen technical issue", ask for the specific defect and evidence it fell outside normal operations. In most cases the claim stands.
"Strike"
A strike by the airline's own staff is not an extraordinary circumstance: the Court confirmed in C-28/20 (Airhelp v SAS) that even a lawful internal strike is part of the carrier's normal management risk. A genuinely external strike, say by air traffic controllers or airport staff, can be different. So the question to put to Ryanair is whose strike caused your disruption.
"Bad weather / air traffic control"
Severe weather and ATC restrictions can be extraordinary, but only if they genuinely hit your flight and Ryanair could not reasonably reroute you. Ask for proof: the weather report, the ATC flow message or the airport notice for your date and route. And even where the excuse is valid for compensation, your right to care under Article 9, meals, refreshments and where needed a hotel, still applies (C-12/11 McDonagh); it is never cancelled by an extraordinary circumstance.
| Ryanair's stated reason | Should you challenge it? |
|---|---|
| Technical / maintenance fault | Yes, usually not extraordinary |
| Crew shortage or rostering | Yes |
| Strike by Ryanair's own pilots or crew | Yes, not extraordinary |
| Documented severe weather / ATC restriction | Depends on the evidence |
| "Not the operating carrier" | Check who actually flew you |
Check the rejection isn't just wrong on scope
Some refusals are simply mistaken. Ryanair may point at the wrong distance band, deny a connection because the delay fell on a different leg, or apply the 50% reduction under Article 7(2), which can cut EUR 600 to EUR 300, when the rerouting offered did not meet the arrival-time limits. The operating carrier is liable (C-532/17 Wirth), and the Ryanair Group flies under several, Ryanair DAC, Malta Air, Buzz and Lauda, so confirm which one operated your flight before accepting a "not us" answer.
One Ryanair-specific hurdle: if you booked through an online travel agent, Ryanair often demands identity and payment verification through a myRyanair account before paying a valid claim. That is a process step, not a rejection on the merits, so complete it and keep pressing.
Escalate to the enforcement body
If Ryanair will not move, complain to the enforcement body for your departure airport: the UK Civil Aviation Authority for UK departures, Ireland's Commission for Aviation Regulation (aviationreg.ie) for Irish departures, or the national regulator elsewhere. These bodies review whether the Regulation was applied correctly, though most cannot order the airline to pay, so many passengers run a legal claim in parallel.
Going to court and no win, no fee
A court claim, small claims in the UK or Ireland or the equivalent elsewhere, is often what finally secures payment. Time limits depend on where you sue (C-204/08 Rehder confirms you can sue at the place of departure or arrival), so treat any single online "deadline" with caution; our time-limit guide explains the position. A widely discussed EU261 reform would add a 9-month claim window and a 30-day response deadline, but that is a proposal, not yet in force, and does not govern your claim today.
Ryanair publicly discourages "claims chasers", but your right to compensation exists regardless of who helps enforce it, and no win, no fee is a legitimate route. ClaimWinger works on that basis: no upfront cost, and a commission only if your claim succeeds. We read Ryanair's rejection against the case law, gather the evidence the airline hopes you will not, and handle escalation and any court step. Check your case on our delayed-flight page, and see the full Ryanair compensation guide for how it fits together.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions
Ryanair said "extraordinary circumstances" with no detail. Can I still claim?
Yes. A bare assertion is not proof. Ask Ryanair for the specific cause and supporting documents; if none arrive, the burden of proof means your claim can proceed to court.
My Ryanair flight was delayed by a pilot or cabin-crew strike. Am I owed money?
Probably. A strike by Ryanair's own staff is not extraordinary (C-28/20), so an arrival delay of three hours or more at your final destination normally qualifies. Our how-to-claim guide walks through the next steps.
I booked through a travel agent and Ryanair wants me to verify my account. Is that legal?
Yes, but it is only a payment step. Ryanair can require identity and payment verification via a myRyanair account before paying an OTA booking; complete it and the claim continues.
Ryanair offered a voucher instead of cash. Do I have to accept it?
No. Cash compensation and refunds are legal rights and cannot be swapped for a voucher without your agreement, as our voucher guide explains.
How long do I have to bring a claim against Ryanair?
It depends on the jurisdiction where you sue, so there is no single universal deadline. Check the limit for your route early.
Sources
This guide reflects the legal position in 2026: the EU261 three-hour arrival-delay threshold and compensation of EUR 250/400/600 (UK261: GBP 220/350/520) apply, and the proposed EU261 reform, including a 9-month claim window and a 30-day airline response deadline, is not yet in force. It is general information, not legal advice.