to expect a refund from Ryanair?

[AngryArthur]

They think so!

My step mum is in rural France at the moment. She needed to get back to the UK for a funeral, but a few days before the flight home, Ryanair cancelled it. She looked into alternative ways to get back in time from where she was but nothing worked. Thing is, Ryanair are refusing to refund the return leg from the UK to France, even though she clearly can't make the flight... because they cancelled the outbound leg! They won't even offer her a credit note. It seems pretty unfair?

Ryanair will only refund flights in the event of a death, unfortunately - not even because of their own error.

Ryan air cancelled the first leg of a return flight? did she book them together? as if so then they should

I think she needs to report them to someone (i dont know who, but can she claim on her credit card insurance?)

Once she has followed the complaints procedure (inevitably with no joy) she should write to the consumer column in the Guardian on Saturday and the Observer. They are really good at tackling stuff like this.

She might have difficulties if she booked the two flights seperately. But how any airline expects you to make a return flight when they have cancelled the Outbound, I don’t know!

She needs to use the Martin Lewis site Resolver. They sorted the issue with Ryanair for us in days.

Ryanair don't sell return flights. You're buying 2 singles even when they appear to be a return. Bit shitty in these circumstances though.

If the cancellation was their fault you are entitled to compensation but there might not be anything you can do about the flight you couldn't use, but I do agree that if you can't make reasonable arrangements to replace the flight they cancelled, they should refund the second flight you couldn't use as a gesture of goodwill, but as we know, Ryanair don't do goodwill.

Her travel insurance might cover it.

Thanks everyone, yes it wasn't technically a return flight, although it appeared that way when she booked it. I will recommend the Resolver website and checking the travel insurance.

1. Download a recording app for phone calls.

1. Ring Ryanair and asked to be re booked / rerouted on a rival airline that meets your travel plans. They will most likely refuse/ be arsy. Record their refusal. Quote EU261.

3.Book a replacement flight. Keep all receipts. Ring Ryanair and request reimbursement for replacement flights. They will most likely refuse.

1. Small claims court.

Good luck!!!

I know they don’t sell return flights, but they do have a return button on tne flight finding / booking page, and if you book both flights together, paying for them together, and the only reason you can’t use the second flight is because they cancelled the first then there ought to be a reasonable case.

Ryanair almost seem to get perverse pleasure out of being arsey!

function What's EU261?

Please let us know how you get on x

What's EU261?

It's an EU regulation which sets out rules on compensation and assistance that must be given to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations or long delays, if the airline was at fault.

Ryanair willingly refund? More chance of England winning the World Cup.

Thanks for the tips! I will let you know how she gets on. I thought about tweeting them a rant, but I don’t think they’re remotely phased by bad press!!