QUALIFY IT
Arrival delay, measured yourself
The threshold is arrival delay at the final destination, doors open. Ryanair’s own records are the ones being argued against, so capture your client’s actual arrival independently.
Under three hours, no compensation is due — but care rights under Article 9 still apply on long waits.
THE MONEY
What is it worth?
€250
Under 1,500 km
€400
1,500–3,500 km
€600
Over 3,500 km
Per passenger, measured on the journey’s great-circle distance.
€250 under 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km. Most of the network is the €250 band.
THE PUSHBACK
What Ryanair will say
Extraordinary circumstances, on the first pass, often without specifics. Ask which circumstance, on which flight, with what evidence.
Knock-on delays from an earlier rotation are airline-controlled and a common weak point in these refusals.
THE EDGE
What’s specific to Ryanair
Portal-only filing from a myryanair account applies to delays exactly as it does to cancellations.
No ADR body: escalation goes to the departure country’s enforcement body (IAA or CAA via PACT), which changes the tone of a second letter.
The short-haul network keeps most claims in the €250 band, which is worth telling clients up front so the expectation matches the outcome.
Reading this as the passenger, not the agent? The plain-English version for your own trip: flight delayed 3+ hours — what you’re owed.
THE PLAY
How do you file it?
Record the arrival time independently, then build the pack before touching the portal.
Submit through myryanair with evidence attached, not promised.
Escalate to the enforcement body on a refusal that names no specific cause.
FLYING IT YOURSELF?
Check what Ryanair owes you — free, two minutes. $39 only if the airline pays.
Check my flight →TRAVEL AGENTS · Forward the booking and this claim is prepared for you. Start watching client flights →
AGENTS ASK
Questions agents ask
Does Ryanair pay delay claims at all?
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Yes, when the arrival delay is three hours or more and no genuine extraordinary circumstance is proven.
Why was the first answer no?
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A generic extraordinary-circumstances refusal is common. Ask for the specific cause and evidence.
Can we email a letter instead?
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No — the portal is the only route that reaches a handler.
What if the delay was 2h 55m by their clock?
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Measure doors-open at the final destination yourself. Small differences decide these claims.
Where does it escalate?
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The national enforcement body of the departure country, or court.
The law this guide is written against: EC261 full text (EUR-Lex) · UK261 full text (legislation.gov.uk)
General information for travel professionals, not legal advice. Compensation depends on the facts of each disruption and the airline’s evidence. MyAirAdvocate prepares claims; it does not represent passengers and takes no percentage of any compensation.