Having your flight cancelled by Ryanair or easyJet is frustrating, especially when it happens at short notice. The good news is that UK passengers have clear legal rights in these situations.
This guide explains what you’re entitled to and the best way to claim it.
Your Rights When a Flight Is Cancelled
Under UK law (retained EU261 rules), if the airline cancels your flight you are usually entitled to:
- A full refund or an alternative flight
- Care and assistance (meals, accommodation, transfers) if you’re stranded
- Compensation of £220, £350 or £520 in many cases (unless the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances)
Compensation is not automatic. You normally have to claim it properly.
What You Should Do Immediately
- Keep your booking confirmation and any emails from the airline.
- Note the time you were told about the cancellation.
- Decide whether you want a refund or a rebooking.
- Contact the airline in writing as soon as possible.
Clear explanation of your rights inside the Refundly app
How to Claim Successfully
Many people only use the airline’s online form or chat. This often leads to delays or rejected claims.
A stronger approach is to send a formal written claim and keep a full record of everything. This makes it much easier to escalate later if needed.
Refundly creates a clear step-by-step plan with deadlines
Using Refundly for Cancelled Flights
Refundly helps you handle the whole process in one place:
- Select “Travel & Transport” → “Flight Cancelled”
- See exactly what you’re entitled to
- Start a claim and get a personalised action plan
- Use the professional letter template
- Track responses and export a PDF if you need to escalate
Ready-to-use letter template for cancelled flights
Final Tip
Don’t accept a voucher if you want cash. In most cases you are entitled to a full refund of the original ticket price.
Acting quickly and keeping clear records significantly improves your chances of a successful claim.