If you miss a Ryanair flight, the airline’s policies, as outlined in their Conditions of Carriage, will apply. Below is an overview of what happens and your options when you miss a flight.
No-Show Policy
If you miss your flight without notifying Ryanair in advance, it is considered a "no-show." Unlike many airlines, Ryanair does not automatically cancel subsequent flights in your itinerary, such as return flights, if you miss an outbound flight. However, you will not be entitled to a refund for the missed flight, and rebooking may incur additional fees.
- Notification: There is no need to notify Ryanair if you cannot travel, as their policy allows you to skip the outbound flight without affecting your return flight.
- Fees: If you miss a flight and arrive at the airport ticket desk within one hour after the scheduled departure, you may be able to board the next available flight for a missed flight fee, subject to availability. This fee is charged per passenger per sector.
- Impact on Itinerary: Missing an outbound flight does not cancel your return flight, as Ryanair treats each flight segment as an individual booking.
Rebooking Options
If you miss a flight due to reasons within your control, you can rebook on a later flight, subject to availability and fare rules. Additional charges may include:
- Missed Flight Fee: If you arrive at the ticket desk within one hour after the scheduled departure, you can rebook to the next available flight for a fee, charged per person per flight segment.
- Change Fee: If you wish to change your flight more than one hour after departure, you can modify your booking up to two and a half hours before the new flight’s departure via the My Bookings section on the Ryanair website or app. A change fee applies, along with any fare difference.
- Fare Difference: You must pay any difference between the original fare and the new flight’s fare. If the new fare is cheaper, no refund for the difference is provided.
If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay caused by Ryanair, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost, provided the delay was within their control. You may also be entitled to meal vouchers or accommodation if the delay extends overnight.
Compensation and Refunds
Refunds or compensation for missed flights depend on the fare type and circumstances:
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Ryanair tickets are generally non-refundable. If you miss a flight and it operates as scheduled, you are not entitled to a refund, as the seat was reserved but not used.
- Refundable Cases: Refunds are available if Ryanair cancels the flight, fails to operate reasonably according to schedule, or denies boarding. You may also be eligible for a refund or travel credit if an immediate family member (not traveling with you) dies within ten days prior to the flight, or if someone on your booking passes away before the trip. Refund requests must be submitted via the Ryanair website or customer service.
- 24-Hour Grace Period: For bookings made directly with Ryanair, you have a 24-hour grace period from the time of booking to correct minor errors (such as dates or routes) free of charge, provided the booking was made at least seven days before departure.
- Airport Taxes and Fees: If you miss a flight, you can apply for a refund of government taxes paid, within one month of the travel date, subject to an administration fee. If the refund amount is less than the administration fee, no refund will be issued.
- EU/UK Regulations: For flights departing from or arriving in the EU or UK, if you miss a connecting flight due to an airline-caused delay and arrive at your destination three hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU261 or UK261 regulations, provided the delay was within Ryanair’s control. Compensation ranges from two hundred twenty pounds to five hundred twenty pounds, depending on flight distance.
Steps to Take if You Miss a Flight
If you miss your flight, follow these steps:
- If within one hour of departure, visit the airport ticket desk to request rebooking on the next available flight, subject to the missed flight fee.
- For changes after one hour, access the My Bookings section on the Ryanair website or app to modify your flight, subject to change fees and fare differences.
- If the missed flight was due to an airline-caused delay, contact Ryanair customer service or visit the airport counter to request rebooking or compensation.
- For refund requests, including government taxes, submit a claim through the Ryanair website or contact their customer service.
- If booked through a travel agent, contact the agent directly for changes or refunds, as Ryanair may require a customer verification process.
Additional Information
Ryanair’s missed flight policy is strict due to their low-cost business model, and refunds are rare unless the airline is at fault. For flights departing from or arriving in the EU or UK, if you miss a connecting flight due to an airline-caused delay and arrive at your destination three hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation under EU261 or UK261 regulations, provided the delay was within the airline’s control. Compensation is not provided for delays or cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances, such as weather or air traffic control issues.
