How much compensation does Ryanair pay for a delayed flight?

The EU261 fixed bands: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, €600 beyond. Nearly all Ryanair routes sit in the first two bands. UK261 pays £220/£350. The arrival delay must reach 3 hours at the final destination.

How do I claim EU261 compensation from Ryanair?

Through Ryanair's free online EU261 claim form: booking reference, flight number, date, and passenger names. If they reject it or go quiet, escalate to the national enforcement body of the departure country — or the UK CAA's ADR route for UK departures. Never pay a claims firm 25–35% to do the same form.

Does Ryanair owe me a refund AND compensation for a cancellation?

Potentially both. The refund-or-reroute choice covers the ticket; the fixed EU261 payment is separate and owed when the cancellation came inside 14 days of departure without a close reroute — unless extraordinary circumstances apply.

Should I use a claims company for my Ryanair claim?

No — not first. Ryanair's own form is free and asks the same questions. Claims firms take 25–35% of a payment the law already guarantees you. Use them only if you'd genuinely rather pay £80 of a £220 claim than fill in one form.

Ryanair Compensation Calculator — EU261 Amounts & How to Claim (2026)

Your flight's coverage

What happened

Flight distance

Arrival delay at final destination

Which regime

Your Ryanair claim, line by line

The EU261 / UK261 compensation table (2026)

Fixed per-passenger amounts — owed regardless of ticket price, on top of refund or rerouting.

Flight distance	EU261 (€)	UK261 (£)
Up to 1,500 km	€250	£220
1,500–3,500 km	€400	£350
Over 3,500 km	€600	£520
Over 3,500 km, arrival 3–4 h late	€300 (halved)	£260 (halved)
Cancellation, rerouted close to schedule	50% of band	50% of band

Ryanair-specific notes

Know before you claim
1	Ryanair's network is almost entirely band 1 and 2 — most qualifying delays pay €250 or €400 (£220/£350), not the headline €600.
2	Claim on Ryanair's own EU261 form — free. If refused, escalate to the national enforcement body of the departure country (or the CAA for UK departures).
3	A cancelled Ryanair flight entitles you to a refund or rerouting at the earliest opportunity — their app defaults to vouchers; cash is your right.

Claiming from Ryanair, so it sticks

Common questions

How much compensation does Ryanair pay for a delayed flight?: The EU261 fixed bands: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 for 1,500–3,500 km, €600 beyond. Nearly all Ryanair routes sit in the first two bands. UK261 pays £220/£350. The arrival delay must reach 3 hours at the final destination.
How do I claim EU261 compensation from Ryanair?: Through Ryanair's free online EU261 claim form: booking reference, flight number, date, and passenger names. If they reject it or go quiet, escalate to the national enforcement body of the departure country — or the UK CAA's ADR route for UK departures. Never pay a claims firm 25–35% to do the same form.
Does Ryanair owe me a refund AND compensation for a cancellation?: Potentially both. The refund-or-reroute choice covers the ticket; the fixed EU261 payment is separate and owed when the cancellation came inside 14 days of departure without a close reroute — unless extraordinary circumstances apply.
Should I use a claims company for my Ryanair claim?: No — not first. Ryanair's own form is free and asks the same questions. Claims firms take 25–35% of a payment the law already guarantees you. Use them only if you'd genuinely rather pay £80 of a £220 claim than fill in one form.

How we calculate

What is included

EU261/UK261 fixed compensation applied to Ryanair routes: distance bands, the 3-hour arrival test, 50% reductions, denied boarding, and the duty of care. Per passenger: €250/400/600 or £220/350/520.

Sources: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 · UK CAA guidance.

What is estimated or left out

Whether Ryanair's extraordinary-circumstances defence holds in your specific case can't be decided here — the page shows what is owed if it fails. Codeshares operated by another carrier follow the operating airline, not the brand on the ticket.

Ryanair Compensation, Exact