Reclaim a Flight Refund in Ireland

If your flight was cancelled, or you were denied boarding, EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004 gives you the right to a full refund of your ticket. This applies to any flight departing from an airport in Ireland (or another EU/EEA country), and to flights arriving in Ireland on an EU/EEA-licensed airline. When you choose a refund instead of re-routing, the airline must pay it within 7 days. Vouchers are only valid if you actively accept one. If the airline is stalling, fobbing you off with a voucher, or simply not paying, you can make them pay up.

Reviewed by Corey Musa, Founder·Last reviewed June 2026·LinkedIn

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Your rights

Under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, which has direct effect in Ireland, an airline must offer a full refund of the ticket price for the unflown part of the journey when a flight is cancelled or you are denied boarding, and must pay that refund within 7 days. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the designated national enforcement body for flights departing Irish airports, and for flights arriving in Ireland from outside the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA carrier. The 7-day refund right is separate from any fixed compensation for cancellation, which may also be due unless the airline proves extraordinary circumstances.

Step by step

1Write to the airline's customer relations team stating clearly that you are exercising your right to a full cash refund under Regulation (EC) 261/2004, not a voucher, and quote your booking reference and flight details.
2Give the airline a firm deadline, noting that the Regulation requires refunds to be paid within 7 days, and keep copies of the cancellation notice and all correspondence.
3If the airline does not resolve it or does not respond within 6 to 8 weeks, escalate to the Irish Aviation Authority via flightrights.ie by registering on its MySRS platform and submitting the online complaint form.
4Attach your booking confirmation, the cancellation email, and your refund request so the IAA can assess the airline's handling of your claim. If your claim is under 2,000 euro you can also bring it through the Small Claims procedure of the District Court.

What they'll say, and your comeback

“We have issued you a travel voucher instead of a refund.”

Comeback, A voucher is only valid if I actively accept it. Under Regulation 261/2004 I am entitled to choose a full cash refund, and I am choosing that. Please process it within 7 days.

“The cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances, so no refund is due.”

Comeback, Extraordinary circumstances may remove the separate fixed compensation, but they do not affect my right to a refund of the ticket. The refund right applies whenever a flight is cancelled.

“Refunds are taking several months to process due to high volumes.”

Comeback, The Regulation sets a 7-day deadline for refunds, with no exception for high volumes. If this is not paid promptly I will refer the matter to the Irish Aviation Authority as the national enforcement body.

FAQ

Does this apply to my flight if it did not depart from Ireland?

The 7-day refund right under EU 261/2004 applies to any flight departing an EU/EEA airport, and to flights arriving in the EU/EEA on an EU/EEA-licensed airline. The Irish Aviation Authority handles complaints for flights departing Irish airports and certain inbound flights; for departures from another EU country you would complain to that country's enforcement body.

Can I still get a refund if I booked through a travel agent or third party?

Yes. Your refund right under the Regulation is against the airline. In practice the airline may route the payment back through the agent you booked with, so it is worth contacting both, but the airline remains responsible for ensuring the refund is made.

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A self-serve tool, not a law firm. General information, not legal advice.