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Flight Delay Compensation: Ireland Regulations Explained

Flight Delay Compensation: Ireland Regulations Explained

Anton Radchenko
Reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Last Updated: January 24, 2025

Have you had a delayed flight while travelling in Ireland? Don’t worry, because regardless of your citizenship or residency, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation up to €600!

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In this guide, you’ll learn about your rights as a passenger, which flights are eligible for compensation, and how to file a claim.

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Your Passenger Rights in Ireland

In Ireland, the birth place of Ryanair, all air passengers arriving or leaving the country are protected by EU 261. In addition to Ireland, EU 261 covers the other 26 members of the European Union, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and 9 special regions.

Flight delay compensation Ireland

So, if your flight was delayed, then you could be eligible for compensation if the following conditions are met:

  • Your arrival time at your final destination was delayed more than 3 hours
  • Your flight was operated by an EU airline or departed from EU airport
  • The flight delay was caused by something within the airline’s control (like scheduling issues, technical problems with the plane, airline strikes)
  • You check in to your flight on time
  • You filed a compensation claim within the deadline.

Flight Journey

EU Airline

Non-EU Airline

Within EU

Yes

Yes

EU airport to a non-EU airport

Yes

Yes

Non-EU airport - EU airport

Yes

No

Outside EU

Yes

No

If the flight delay is caused by something outside the airline’s control, then you would NOT be eligible for compensation.

Some of extraordinary circumstances include:

  • Air Traffic control problems
  • Dangerous weather
  • Civil unrest

PRO TIP: Many airlines use extraordinary circumstances as an excuse to avoid paying compensation for flight delays and cancellations. Find out if your flight qualifies for compensation by using our free tool below.

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on AirAdvisor website you can find how to claim compensation for delayed flight Ireland and what flights are covered

Flight Delay Compensation Amounts in Ireland

The exact amount of compensation you could get depends on the distance of your flight and the length of your delay.

Length of Delay

Distance of Your Flight

All flights, less than 1,500km.

All internal EU flights, more than 1,500km,

All non-internal EU flights, 1,500-3,500km

All non-internal EU flights, more than 3,500km

Less than 3 hours

No Compensation

3 hours or more

€250 (£210)

€400 (£340)

€400 (£340)

€600 (£510)

Never Arrived

€250 (£210)

€400 (£340)

€400 (£340)

€600 (£510)

Delayed flights: Additional benefits

You might be entitled to additional services. The following table explains what you can expect from the airline.

What the airline provides

Your Waiting Time in the Airport

Less than 2 hours

Over 2 hours

Over 3 hours

Over 5 hours

Inform you about the delay and your rights

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Offer you complimentary meals and refreshments

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Provide you with 2 free phone calls, emails or faxes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Provide you with hotel and transportation (only if the flight is delayed overnight)

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Pay you flight delay compensation €600

No

No

Yes

Yes

Provide you with a refund for the full cost of your ticket or return flight (If this isn’t offered free of charge by airline, they must reimburse you for all expenses)

No

No

No

Yes

Vouchers

It’s not uncommon for the airline to offer passengers vouchers. If you’re offered one, be very careful to read all the details. In many cases, accepting vouchers will eliminate your right to file a compensation claim. Also, vouchers usually have many restrictions as well as short use-by dates.

air passenger in the airport is thinking to apply for flight cancelled compensation Ireland

Cancelled Flight Compensation in Ireland

For cancelled flights in Ireland, the air carrier must offer you a full refund or an alternative flight. If the cancellation was the airline’s fault, then you may be entitled to cancelled flight compensation as well.

If you’ve had a cancelled flight anytime in the last three years, you can check to see if it’s eligible for compensation and the amount you could receive. All you have to do is enter your details into the AirAdvisor compensation calculator.

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Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted flight.

Why AirAdvisor?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of filing a compensation claim with an airline, you’re not alone. In fact, more than 400,000 AirAdvisor customers felt the same way, and that’s why they decided to let our team of legal professionals handle the claim process for them.

  • We have expert knowledge of air passenger rights and airline regulations for the EU, UK, US, and Canada
  • We defend your passenger rights for flight disruptions including denied boarding, flight delays or cancellations
  • We take legal action for you, so you don’t have to deal with the stress and worry

Best of all, we operate on a no win-no-fee basis which means that you can trust us to file your airline compensation claim with no risk. We only get paid when you do. Check below to see if your flight is eligible.

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Tools to Help You Out

See our list of FREE tools in the links below:

Resources & Additional Reading

Some extra resources to help you better understand flight delay compensation:

Flight Delays by Issue

Read more about the most popular flight delay causes:

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you get 600 euro compensation for a delayed flight?

To receive €600 in flight compensation, your flight must have been delayed for more than 4 hours and the distance must be over 3,500km.

Can you get compensation for a 2 hour flight delay in Ireland?

You are not eligible for monetary compensation for a 2-hour flight delay in Ireland. However, under EU Regulation 261/2004, if your flight is delayed by more than two hours, the airline should provide you with assistance, such as food, drinks, and access to communication. Monetary compensation typically applies only when the delay is more than three hours.

When are you not entitled to flight compensation in Ireland?

There are certain situations when you are not entitled to flight compensation in Ireland:

  • Extraordinary Circumstances: If the delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control (e.g., extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, security threats, or air traffic control restrictions), you may not be entitled to compensation.
  • Prior Notification: If the airline informed you of the cancellation at least 14 days before the scheduled departure date, you are not eligible for compensation.
  • Alternative Flight: If the airline offers you an alternative flight with a similar schedule (departure within two hours and arrival within four hours of the original flight), you may not be entitled to compensation.
  • Non-EU Airline: If your flight is operated by a non-EU airline and departs from a non-EU airport to an EU airport, you may not be entitled to compensation under EU rules.
  • Voluntary Denied Boarding: If you voluntarily accept the airline's offer to give up your seat in exchange for benefits (e.g., travel vouchers or a later flight), you forfeit the right to compensation.
Flight Compensation Calculator

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Delayed Flight Compensation Rules in Different Countries

Learn about flight delay regulations around the world, including key differences in policies across countries like the US, Canada, Ireland, Turkey and others.

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