Our rights when Ryanair cancel flight 4 months in advance

bagand96

Sam_Bam said:

Hello bagand96.

Yes, they are Ryanair flights - didn't think of the fact that they don't actually do connections - good point!
I have told Ryanair that there are both BA and Easyjet direct flights on the day that our original flight was, and Ryanair just tell me that they can't book other airline's flights on their system....

From the information I've looked at on the CAA website, and the advice above, I'm assuming that Ryanair are in the wrong.  I keep quoting the policies from the CAA website to them, but they simply tell me that they can't book other airlines using their website. 

They clearly want me to just ask for a refund, which is best for them as all of the other flights on that day are at least twice as expensive (I imagine that the other airlines raised their prices once they knew that Ryanair were cancelling their flights)!
I get the feeling that until one starts a legal process, Ryanair will just refuse to abide by the CAA rules. How do they keep getting away with it....?

It follows that the Ryabair system can only book Ryanair flights. A lot of airlines are the same in this regard, especially the low cost airlines who don't have complex booking systems.

The regulator's interpretations of the legislation is that they should reroute you on other airlines services if necessary. However the regulators don't seem to have the will/power to force this.

So you're left with option of booking the alternatives yourself and then attempting to claim from Ryanair afterwards. They may well refuse, at which point you might have to use the legal route. 

It may not be a fast or simple option, it depends how much effort you're prepared to make to enforce your rights. 

mdann52

bagand96 said:

Are they Ryanair flights? If so, Ryanair don't do connections, they'd be self connecting.

If Ryanair reroute you in this way, there's a very good argument they are in fact connections per UK261, so if you miss a flight due to them delaying they are obliged to reroute/rebook you.

bagand96

mdann52 said:

bagand96 said:

Are they Ryanair flights? If so, Ryanair don't do connections, they'd be self connecting.

If Ryanair reroute you in this way, there's a very good argument they are in fact connections per UK261, so if you miss a flight due to them delaying they are obliged to reroute/rebook you.

Yes I think there's potentially a legal argument. That you might one day win. 

It wouldn't help though when you're stranded in Milan having missed your connection and trying to explain to disinterested ground staff or the Ryanair chat bot.

saajan_12

How much was the original flight? Legally you have a right to a reasonable rerouting, so if they aren't playing ball then you can theoretically inform them and then book yourself and claim the cost back. 

In practice, Ryanair have a history of not abiding by rulings, so you may spend £X * 2 on the other flights and then never get anything back. The alternative is (reluctantly) taking the refund of £X and then buying the alternatives so you're only out £X. Basically its a risk, are you willing to spend an extra £X*2 now and hope you get it back, or not. 

Sam_Bam

Hello Everybody

Just a quick update on this post from last year.....

In a nutshell.... Had a Sept 2024 flight booked with Ryanair for my 2 daughters and husband. Booked it 6 months in advance and paid £100 in total.
4 months before the flight Ryanair cancelled it due to 'commercial reasons'. They offered me a refund. I checked alternative flights with other carriers, and all flights were at least £300. I therefore asked Ryanair to re-route me. They refused as they had no comparable flights that same day. They offered me a flight the day before (which didn't suit us), or two flights the same day of the original flight (not 'comparable').

I had several 'conversations' with Ryanair, and they wouldn't accept that I was entitled, by law, for them to book me a comparable flight either with Ryanair, or another carrier.

I launched a complaint with ADR (Aviation Dispute Resolution) as advised by 'eskbanker' - BIG thanks to you.  
ADR ruled in my favour and suggested that I book and pay for the flight with the alternative carrier, then raise another complaint to claim the cost of that flight back from Ryanair.

I therefore paid for the new flights with Easyjet, and raised a new complaint to claim the cost of the new flights back from Ryanair.
ADR ruled in my favour again, ordered Ryanair to pay me the cost of the new flight, and I received the money into my account yesterday!  

It took 11 months in total, but it was worth it.  The process with ADR was simple, easy to follow, and they kept me updated the whole way through. 
So thank you to all the Forumites who backed me up on my understanding of the legal obligations of airlines.
Ryanair clearly hope that if they say 'no' enough times, the passenger will just give up fighting, even when Ryanair are in the wrong!