How long does Ryanair have to respond to complaints?

Their website says they aim for 10 days. In reality, you could be waiting a month or more, especially if your complaint involves getting money back. I once waited 28 days just for them to send a generic 'we're looking into it' email that led nowhere. For detailed contact information, check out our [Ryanair customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-ryanair-customer-service).

Can I file a complaint against Ryanair online?

Yes. It's pretty much the only way they want you to do it. Go to their site and find the online complaint form. Good luck. For detailed contact information, check out our [Ryanair customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-ryanair-customer-service).

What documents do I need for a Ryanair complaint?

You'll absolutely need your six-digit booking reference number. It's on everything. Also, have screenshots of any errors, photos of your baggage if that's the issue, receipts for extra costs you had to pay, and the names of anyone you spoke to. The more of a paper trail you have, the harder it is for them to ignore you.

Is there a fee to file a complaint against Ryanair?

No, there's no fee to complain directly to them! If some website is asking you for money just to file the initial complaint with the airline, get out of there. That's a scam. You only might pay a small fee if you escalate to certain third-party dispute resolution services, but the first step is always free.

Can complaints affect my Ryanair service?

They say it won't, but who really knows? It's not like they're going to ban you for complaining, they're too big and honestly probably don't care enough to track it. Just don't expect any special treatment on your next flight. You're just another number in their system, complaint or not.

What happens after I file a complaint with Ryanair?

You get an automated email with a case number almost immediately. Then you wait. And you wait some more. You'll probably have to chase them up a few times before a real person actually looks at your case, and even then, their first offer is usually a lowball travel voucher you'll never use.

Can I escalate my Ryanair complaint to a regulator?

Absolutely, and you should. If your flight was in Europe, you can go to the National Enforcement Body (NEB) for that country or an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider. Just make sure you give Ryanair a reasonable chance to respond first, maybe 15-30 days, then escalate if you get nowhere.

Why won't Ryanair refund my flight cancellation?

Ah, the classic Ryanair runaround. They will almost always try to push a travel voucher on you instead of cash, even when you're legally entitled to a refund under EU261 rules for things like airline-cancelled flights. You have to be extremely persistent and explicitly state you want a cash refund to your original payment method, not a voucher. Don't accept their first offer. For detailed contact information, check out our [Ryanair customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-ryanair-customer-service).

Complain About Ryanair - File a Complaint Today

Flying Ryanair can feel like a gamble you always lose. It's not just you. Their Trustpilot score is a dismal 1.3 stars from over 26,000 reviews, which is just terrible. The sheer volume of complaints about non-existent customer service and surprise fees is staggering. People are constantly getting hit with unexpected charges for baggage or check-ins, and getting a straight answer from support feels impossible. It seems like their whole business model is built on frustrating you into paying more. If you've finally had enough of the endless fees and circular conversations with their chatbot, you're in the right place. Official site: Visit Ryanair

Last Edited on 07 Dec, 2025

Olivia Harper, Senior Content Manager

10 min read

Best ways to complain to Ryanair

Contact Method	Details & Availability	Why use this instead...
Online Complaint Form	Ryanair Complaint Form	Best for non-urgent issues where you need a paper trail. This is their preferred method.
Live Chat	Available via their Help Centre. Hours are typically 06:00 - 21:00 GMT.	Good for getting quick, simple questions answered, but expect long waits and scripted responses.
Phone	Numbers vary by country. For the US, it's often difficult to find a direct line.	Use for urgent, time-sensitive issues like a problem at the airport. Prepare for a long hold time.
Social Media (X/Twitter)	@Ryanair	For public complaints. Sometimes gets a faster, more visible response, but they'll likely just direct you to the online form.

⏱️ Estimated Response Times from Ryanair After Complaining

Officially, they say a few days. Unofficially? You might be waiting a while.

Method	Expected Wait Time
Phone	Immediate connection, but 30-60+ minute hold times are common.
Email / Online Form	7-28 business days. Often requires follow-up.
Chat	5-45 minutes to connect with an agent.
App	Similar to chat, but can be inconsistent.

🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint

Have your booking reference number ready before you contact them.
Keep your explanation short and to the point. Bullet points work well.
State exactly what you want (e.g., a refund of $59.99, not just 'compensation').
Contact them during off-peak hours, like mid-morning on a weekday, to avoid the longest waits.

How to Escalate Your Complaint

If Ryanair ignores you or gives you an answer you're not happy with, don't give up. Your next step is to go to an external body. Since Ryanair is an Irish airline, your options depend on your flight route. For flights within Europe, you can file a complaint with an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider like AviationADR. You usually have to wait about 8 weeks after your initial complaint to Ryanair before you can escalate. Filing with an ADR body can take months, but they can make a legally binding decision. It works, but prepare to wait. Ryanair usually responds once an official body gets involved. For flights involving the US, you can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), though their power over a foreign airline is more limited.

Email Template to Complain to Ryanair

Subject: Formal Complaint: Unresolved Issue with Booking [[Booking Reference #]]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing again to resolve an issue with my booking, [[Booking Reference #]]. Despite contacting customer support on [[Date]], my problem remains unsolved and I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of resolution.

On [[Date of incident]], I was incorrectly charged [[$Amount]] for [[briefly explain the issue, e.g., a carry-on bag that met your size requirements]]. This charge was processed at the gate, and the staff member was unable to provide a clear reason for it. Frankly, having to spend my time chasing this down is a huge inconvenience.

To resolve this, I require a full refund of [[$Amount]] to my original payment method. I have attached a copy of the receipt for your reference.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response and confirmation of my refund within 10 business days, my next step will be to file a formal complaint with the appropriate aviation ADR body and initiate a chargeback with my credit card company.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

[[Your Name]]

Additional Helpful Tips to get Your Complaint Resolved

Always ask for a reference number. Whether you're on a chat or a call, get a case or reference number. It's your only proof the conversation happened.
Use social media for public pressure. A public post on X (formerly Twitter) detailing your issue can sometimes get a faster response than a private email.
Quote their own policies. Find their terms and conditions or passenger rights information and reference the specific rule they broke in your complaint.
Don't accept the first offer. They will almost always offer a travel voucher first. If you're entitled to cash, insist on it.
One user on a forum mentioned they only got a real response after they replied to every automated email with the simple phrase, 'This issue is not resolved. Please escalate to a manager.' It apparently worked after the third try.

Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to Ryanair

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