Ryanair, a low-cost European carrier, has a strict cancellation policy that emphasizes flexibility through changes rather than outright cancellations.
24-Hour Cancellation Policy:
- Ryanair does not offer a 24-hour free cancellation policy for refunds, unlike many airlines under U.S. DOT regulations for U.S.-related flights. Instead, you can make free changes (e.g., dates, times, routes, or correct minor errors like incorrect routings) within 24 hours of booking via “My Bookings” on www.ryanair.com or the Ryanair app, provided the flight departs at least 7 days later. No refunds are issued unless specific conditions apply.
General Cancellation Rules:
- Ryanair tickets are non-refunded. You cannot officially cancel a flight and receive a refund unless exceptional circumstances apply. If you choose not to travel, you don’t need to notify Ryanair, and there’s no penalty for not showing up, but the ticket value is forfeited. You can still use the return flight if booked.
- Changes Instead of Cancellation: All flights are changeable up to 2.5 hours before departure via “My Bookings” or the app. Changes incur a fee (e.g., €45–€95 per person per flight, higher at the airport or via customer service) plus any fare difference. Domestic flights cannot be changed to international flights due to tax rules.
- No-Show: If you don’t travel and don’t notify Ryanair, the ticket is considered a no-show, and no refund is issued, but you may request a refund of government taxes/fees (e.g., €30–40 per person from UK, France, or Germany) within 1 month of travel, subject to an administration fee (e.g., €20). If the refund is less than the fee, no refund is issued.
- Name Changes: You can change the passenger name for a fee (€115 online up to 24 hours before departure, €160 at the airport or via customer service up to 2 hours before), allowing you to transfer the ticket to another person.
Special Circumstances:
- Bereavement or Illness: Refunds are available if a passenger or immediate family member (even if not traveling) dies within 28 days (or 10 days in some sources) of the flight, or if a passenger suffers a serious illness, with documentation (e.g., death certificate, medical certificate). Contact Ryanair’s customer service via chat or call.
- COVID-19 or Restrictions: No special rules currently apply, unlike during 2020–2021 when flexible rebooking was offered. Standard refund rules apply for airline-initiated cancellations.
- Third-Party Bookings: Cancellations must be processed through the agent (e.g., Opodo, Booking.com), and refunds may take longer due to verification. Ryanair advises submitting a customer verification form for direct refunds.
- Taxes/Fees Refund: For non-refunded tickets, you can claim unused taxes/fees within 1 month of travel, subject to an administration fee. Claims can be made via Ryanair’s refund form.
Refund Processing:
- Refunds for airline-initiated cancellations are issued to the Ryanair Wallet within 24 hours, transferable to your payment method within 5 working days. Third-party booking refunds may take 7–14 days after verification
- Tax/fee refunds take 7–14 days and are subject to an administration fee.
- Compensation claims under EC 261/2004 can be submitted via Ryanair’s compensation form, with processing times varying (up to 6 years for claims in some EU countries).
