Flight Check

Ryanair Complaints & DOT Data (2024)

14,368 complaints filed with the DOT in 2024.

Complaint Rate

18.4/100K

Total Complaints

14,368

Rank

#2 of 27

Top Issue

Refunds

Ryanair is Europe's largest airline and its most complained-about. At 18.5 per 100,000 passengers, refund disputes dominate — the ultra-low-cost model means passengers pay rock-bottom fares but face aggressive ancillary fees and rigid cancellation policies. EU261 compensation claims against Ryanair are the highest in Europe.

vs. Industry Average

Ryanair18.4/100K
Industry Average8.2/100K

Ryanair is 124% above the industry average.

Monthly Complaint Rate (2024)

17.2
Jan
17.2
Feb
17.2
Mar
17.2
Apr
17.2
May
20.7
Jun
20.7
Jul
20.7
Aug
17.2
Sep
17.2
Oct
17.2
Nov
20.7
Dec

Complaints per 100K passengers by month. Red bars exceed industry average (8.2).

What People Complain About

Refunds83%
Flight Problems17%

How to File a Complaint Against Ryanair

  1. Document everything — save confirmation emails, receipts, and screenshots.
  2. Contact Ryanair directly first. Give them a chance to resolve it.
  3. If unsatisfied, file with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov.
  4. Use the Disruption Desk to understand what you are owed.
Disruption DeskCompensation Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints did Ryanair get in 2024?

Ryanair received 14,368 DOT complaints in 2024, at a rate of 18.4 per 100,000 passengers. This ranks them #2 out of 27 airlines tracked.

What do people complain about most with Ryanair?

The most common complaint category for Ryanair is refunds. Airlines failing to process refunds, issuing vouchers instead of cash refunds, or taking months to return money. The new DOT automatic refund rule (October 2024) specifically targets this problem by requiring airlines to refund automatically within 7 business days for credit cards.

How do I file a complaint against Ryanair?

You can file a complaint against Ryanair with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov, or use Flight Check's Disruption Desk to understand your rights and generate a complaint letter. Check what you're owed with the Compensation Calculator. Every DOT complaint is forwarded to Ryanair's executive consumer affairs team.

Is Ryanair complaint rate above or below average?

Ryanair's complaint rate of 18.4 per 100K is 124% above the industry average of 8.2 per 100K. They rank #2 out of 27 airlines. See the full airline complaint rankings.

Compare Other Airlines

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Source: DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, January–December 2024.