Cancelled Flight Compensation in Ireland

Written By Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated: March 21, 2024

You can claim up to €600 in cancelled flight compensation in Ireland.

Few things can upset a trip like a cancelled flight. But if you’re travelling in Ireland, you can enjoy some of the very best air passenger protections in the world. So, keep reading to find out what you’re entitled to and how to get compensated for cancelled flights in Ireland.

Key Points

1. If your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days notice, you could be eligible for compensation in addition to a ticket refund.
2. The amount of compensation you receive is determined by the distance of your trip and how long you were delayed.
3. As an air passenger in Ireland, your rights are protected by EU law.

What Are Your Air Passenger Rights in Ireland

Because Ireland is part of the EU, your rights as an airline passenger are protected by EU 261. This means that whether you’re flying within Ireland or internationally, you will still be protected by these regulations if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

Also, these regulations are not based on your place or citizenship or residence. In fact, the Commission for Aviation Regulation of Ireland states that any passengers who arrive or depart from Ireland are protected.

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What to Do When Your Flight is Cancelled

No matter where you’re travelling, there are always specific steps you should take if your flight gets cancelled to help you get rebooked on another flight and to support a compensation claim if you choose to file one later on.

So, if you’re at the airport when your flight is cancelled, then ask an agent what caused it. When they give you the info, keep their answer somewhere you’ll remember. Also, try to take some photos of the departure boards that show your flight status. You can also take a screenshot of the airline app that gives you the cancellation notice.

Collecting evidence while you’re at the airport is vital, because airlines will push back against compensation claims, so the more supporting documentation you have, the better.

Your Entitlements When Your Flight is Cancelled

Under EU 261 regulations, airlines are required to provide you with one of the following no matter when your flight was cancelled.

• An alternate flight that will depart close to your scheduled departure time.
• A flight at a different time of your choosing or
• A ticket refund for the cancelled flight.

Notice Time Affects Cancellation Compensation

The amount of notice you’re given by the airline for a cancelled flight also plays into what you’re entitled to receive.

Less than 7 days notice

For example, if you were given less than 7 days notice and you accepted an alternate flight by the airline, then the new flight must depart within 1 hour of your original flight and arrive at your destination within 2 hours of your original flight’s arrival time.

If the alternate flight arrives and departs later than these timeframes, then you could get compensation from the airline. However, if the flight had been cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances like extreme weather, an airport strike, or other situations outside the carrier’s control, then you won’t be compensated for the cancelled flight.

Ready to see how much compensation you could receive for your cancelled flight? Find out by entering your trip details below.Check compensation

Care and assistance

If you have to wait awhile for your alternate flight to leave, then the airline is required to provide you with assistance.

• 2 free phone calls, faxes, emails
• Complementary food and drink
• A hotel stay if you have to wait overnight for your flight
• Transport to and from your hotel

Between 7 - 14 days notice

Sometimes an airline will cancel your flight days or weeks before your scheduled departure. If they tell you your flight has been cancelled with a 7-14 days lead time, and you decide to accept their alternative flight, then that flight must leave within 2 hours of your original flight departure. Additionally, it must arrive at your final destination within 4 hours of your originally scheduled arrival time.

If your alternate flight doesn’t conform to these timeframes, then you are entitled to compensation from the airline unless they can prove that extraordinary circumstances caused the cancellation.

PRO TIP: Airlines will very often dispute a compensation claim on the grounds that extraordinary circumstances were the cause of the flight disruption. This is why it is important to ask the airline what caused the flight to be cancelled.

Cancellation notice of 14 days or more

If the airline cancels your flight and you’re given more than 2 weeks notice, then you have the option to reschedule your flight on your own, have the airline rebook you on another flight, or ask for a full refund. But if the airline gives you this much advance notice then you won’t be eligible for cancelled flight compensation.

Refunds for Cancelled Flights

If your flight was cancelled, and you were given less than 14 days notice, then you can ask for a refund and still get compensation as long as the cancellation wasn’t due to conditions outside the airline’s control.

Compensation for Cancelled Flights in Ireland

The amount of money you could receive for a cancelled flight depends on whether you chose an alternate flight or a refund. The distance of your flight as well as the amount of time you were delayed also affects how much compensation you could receive.

If you choose an alternate flight, then your compensation will be based on the amounts shown in the table below.

If you decided to choose a refund, and your cancelled flight is eligible for compensation, then the amount you receive will be based on the distance of your scheduled flight.

How to File a Cancelled Flight Compensation Claim

If you’re ready to seek compensation and lodge a complaint with the airline, make sure you have all your documents in order. Then, you’ll need to write a letter to the airline that includes the following:

• The date of your cancelled flight
• What time you were originally scheduled to arrive and depart
• The airports of departure and arrival
• The reason for the cancellation
• Your booking reference number
• The flight number
• Names of people on your itinerary
• Bank info (so they can send you your compensation)
• The amount of compensation you’re requesting

TIP: If you aren’t sure how much compensation to request, you can find out on our compensation calculator. You can also use our free letter template for requesting compensation.

Once you’ve prepared your letter, email it to the airline and wait for them to contact you.

Where to Turn for Help

If you’re feeling intimidated by all this, you’re not alone. Standing up to airlines can be unnerving, and the process is frustrating to say the least. But that’s were AirAdviser can step in and make the entire flight compensation claims process easy and stress free.

Start by checking to see if your flight is eligible, include your contact info, and we do the rest. Worried about the cost? Don’t be - because we only get paid when you do. As airline compensation experts, we’ve been protecting passenger rights since 2017, and we’ve helped over 240,000 customers get the compensation they deserve.

If you’ve had a cancelled flight anytime in the past 3 years, check to see if you’re eligible for compensation, and let AirAdvisor handle the hard work for you.Check compensation