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Ryanair Refund for a Cancelled Flight
If Ryanair cancels your flight, you can choose a refund for the unused parts of your ticket or to be re-routed at no extra cost. Ryanair emails you your options; to get a refund, use the link in that email or the My Bookings section on Ryanair.com. If you were told less than 14 days before departure, compensation may also be due, unless there were extraordinary circumstances.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Ryanair Refunds
Your Options From Ryanair
Ryanair says that after a cancellation, delay or reschedule it emails you with your options: to be re-routed to your final destination under comparable conditions, to change your flight on the same route for free, or to request a refund using the link in the email. If you booked through a travel agent, the link takes you to that agent. You can also open your booking in My Bookings on Ryanair.com. source
Cancellations
Refund or Re-Routing
Cancellations: you can choose a refund for all unused parts of the ticket (for example the return leg) or to be re-routed at no extra cost, at a time that suits you. Care and assistance also applies until you are flown, whatever the cause. source
When Compensation Is Due
Cancellation compensation is only due if you got less than 14 days' notice and the cause was within the airline's control. With 7 to 14 days' notice you may get £110, £175 or £260 (depending on distance) if the replacement flight gets you there less than 2, 3 or 4 hours late, and the full £220, £350 or £520 if it is later than that. With under 7 days' notice the full amount applies unless the replacement left no more than 1 hour earlier and arrived less than 2 hours later. source
Extraordinary Circumstances
No compensation is due if the cause was extraordinary circumstances, for example extreme weather or airport or air traffic control strikes. Your rights to care, a refund or re-routing still apply. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 14 daysCompensation for a cancellationOnly if you were told less than 14 days before departure
- 8 weeksAirline should reply to your complaintWithin 8 weeks, then you can escalate to ADR or the CAA
- 6 yearsLegal claim for compensationGenerally 6 years in England and Wales, 5 years in Scotland (the CAA page does not state a limit, so check before you wait)
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Find the email from Ryanair about the cancellation and check your options.
Step 2 of 5
Choose a refund or re-routing. For a refund, use the link in the email or My Bookings on Ryanair.com.
Step 3 of 5
If you booked through a travel agent, the refund link takes you to that agent.
Step 4 of 5
If you were told less than 14 days before departure, also claim compensation. Keep receipts for extra costs. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 5 of 5
If Ryanair does not refund or reply within 8 weeks, take it to its ADR scheme, or ask your card provider about a chargeback or Section 75.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Card Provider: Section 75 or Chargeback
You paid by card and the airline has not refunded a cancelled flight.
Airline's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Provider
You are unhappy with the airline's final response, or it has taken more than 8 weeks to reply, and the airline belongs to an ADR scheme.
Small Claims Court
The airline refuses and you want to claim the fixed compensation. Check the time limit first.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
A refund and compensation are different. You can be owed both if you were told less than 14 days before departure.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- help.ryanair.com/hc/en-ie/articles/26466741693841-How-do-I-apply-for-a-refund-in-case-of-a-flight-disruption Checked 12 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/cancellations Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/getting-your-money-back-if-you-paid-by-card-or-paypal Checked 8 October 2026
- caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/how-to-claim-compensation Checked 12 October 2026
- gov.uk/make-a-court-claim-for-money Checked 8 October 2026