Can I get a refund on a cancelled flight in Ireland?
Yes — under EU Regulation 261/2004, a cancelled flight gives you a choice of a full refund or re-routing, and sometimes cash compensation too. If your flight is cancelled you can choose a full refund within 7 days, re-routing at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing later at your convenience. This covers flights departing any EU/EEA airport, and flights into the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA carrier. On top of the refund or re-routing, cash compensation is fixed by distance: €250 (up to 1,500km), €400 (1,500–3,500km or intra-EU over 1,500km), and €600 (long-haul over 3,500km). But compensation is generally not due if you were told 14+ days ahead, or if the airline proves extraordinary circumstances (severe weather, air-traffic control). You still keep refund, re-routing and care rights. In short: yes — refund or re-routing always, cash compensation sometimes.
📋 The rules
- Choice of full refund (within 7 days) or re-routing
- Covers EU/EEA departures and EU-carrier arrivals
- Cash compensation €250 / €400 / €600 by distance
- No compensation if told 14+ days ahead
- No compensation for extraordinary circumstances
🔓 Exceptions
- Care (meals, hotel) is owed regardless once delay thresholds are met
- Doesn't apply to free/reduced fares not available to the public
- Long delays of 3+ hours can attract the same compensation (Sturgeon)
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The compensation amounts are fixed at €250 / €400 / €600 by distance, and refunds must be paid within 7 days. Care and assistance — meals, refreshments and a hotel plus transfers if you need to stay overnight — is owed regardless of extraordinary circumstances once the delay thresholds are met (2h short-haul, 3h medium, 4h long). Complain to the airline first; if unresolved, the Irish Aviation Authority is the national enforcement body for flights departing Ireland (or arriving in Ireland from outside the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA carrier). Beware a myth: "a cancelled flight always means automatic cash compensation" is false — if you got 14+ days' notice, or the cause was genuine extraordinary circumstances, the cash compensation isn't payable, though your refund or re-routing still stands. To claim: choose refund or re-routing, then claim compensation from the airline.
📎 Official sources
- Citizens Information — compensation for delayed and cancelled flights →
- CCPC — flights →
- Aviation Reg (IAA) — rights for delayed or cancelled flights →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I get a refund if my flight is cancelled?
Yes. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled you can choose between a full refund within seven days, re-routing to your destination at the earliest opportunity, or re-routing at a later date that suits you. This applies to flights leaving any EU or EEA airport, and flights into the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA airline.
How much compensation will I get?
Cash compensation, if due, is fixed by flight distance: €250 for flights up to 1,500km, €400 for flights of 1,500–3,500km or intra-EU flights over 1,500km, and €600 for longer flights over 3,500km. This is on top of your refund or re-routing, and applies in addition to any care the airline must provide.
When is compensation not payable?
Cash compensation generally isn't payable if the airline told you about the cancellation at least 14 days in advance, or if it was caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or security issues. Even then, you still keep your right to a refund or re-routing, and to care during long waits.
What is 'care and assistance'?
Care and assistance means the airline must provide meals and refreshments, and a hotel and transfers if you need to stay overnight, once delay thresholds are met — 2 hours for short-haul, 3 for medium and 4 for long-haul flights. This is owed regardless of the cause, including in extraordinary circumstances.
Who do I complain to in Ireland?
You should complain to the airline first. If it doesn't resolve your claim, the Irish Aviation Authority is the national enforcement body for flights departing from Ireland, and for flights arriving in Ireland from outside the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA carrier. They can help enforce your rights under EU261.
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