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Ryanair rejected your compensation

Updated

Ryanair refused your EU261 claim for a delayed or cancelled flight from Stockholm, Copenhagen, Billund, Oslo or another Nordic airport. A refusal from Ryanair is common. It is not a ruling, and it is not always right.

We are not affiliated with Ryanair and do not act for Ryanair.

Why plan for court from the start

The Swedish consumer magazine Råd & Rön keeps a list of companies that ignore decisions from Sweden's consumer board ARN. In the February 2026 update, Ryanair topped it with 28 cases worth about 179,700 kr, mostly delayed flights. It has been on the list for 9 years (TV4/TT, 26 February 2026).

So a board decision in your favour may not be paid. It still helps: it is an independent finding on your facts. But build your file so that a judge could read it: dated claim, Ryanair's answer, flight evidence, receipts.

What the rules say

EU261 covers any flight departing the EU or EEA, whatever the airline. Ryanair escapes compensation only by proving an extraordinary event and that it took all reasonable measures (Airhelp v SAS C-28/20, para 23). The burden is on Ryanair (Wallentin-Hermann C-549/07).

Two Danish appeal judgments from 11 May 2021, about the same storm, show what decides these cases. In BS-47686/2020-VLR Ryanair lost because it showed no steps to limit the delay. In BS-47051/2020-VLR Ryanair won because it documented a bus and a new crew. Evidence decided both.

What evidence to ask Ryanair for

Step by step

  1. Reply to Ryanair in writing through its claim form or by email, and keep a copy of everything.
  2. Wait about 4 weeks in Sweden and Norway, 6 weeks in Denmark.
  3. Board for the country where the disruption happened. See the list below.
  4. Court. Sweden: småmål up to 29,600 kr, court fee 900 kr, or a Kronofogden payment order for 300 kr. Denmark: the simplified procedure up to DKK 100,000 (minretssag.dk). Norway: after a board decision on the merits, tingretten directly, or forliksrådet for about NOK 2,071. Finland: the European Small Claims Procedure up to €5,000. You can sue where the flight departed or arrived (Rehder C-204/08).

Which board

When it is worth it, and when not

Strong: technical faults, crew problems, Ryanair staff strikes, and weather or ATC where Ryanair has shown no flight-specific evidence or no effort to reroute you.

Weak: a documented air traffic control strike that hit every airline, where you were rebooked quickly. Also note: if you did not go to the airport because Ryanair announced a delay of 3 hours or more, no fixed compensation is due (Laudamotion C-474/22), though a refund may be.

Appeal My Flight writes the reply to Ryanair and the board complaint for €29 per booking. You send it yourself and keep the payout.

FAQ

Ryanair offered a voucher. Should I accept?

Only if you want it. A voucher replaces cash compensation only with your signed agreement.

My flight was to Ireland. Can I still use a Nordic board?

Yes, if it departed from a Nordic airport. The board follows the place of the disruption, not the airline's home.

How long do I have?

It depends on the country. See EU261 time limits in the Nordics.