Hi. I have flights booked in 25/7. Flight was departing at 2055 hours. This suited me as work for NHS and am on a rota to work till 12 noon.

Ryanair have changed the flight time to 1600 hours which I can’t make. Traveling for a family wedding the next day

what are my rights here? Ryanair say no refund

Do I have a leg to stand on here with them ?

anything under EU261?

thanks

Unfortunately Ryanair are correct. Their Conditions of Carriage only allow you to cancel where there is a change of at least 5 hours to the scheduled departure time. There is nothing within EC261 that would help you get to your destination at or about the original scheduled time.

Depending on the date you booked, you may be able to change the date of travel under their COVID-19 policy, but you will need to pay any difference in fare.

Thanks. Ł250 wasted then

Has your destination changed category in the UK 'traffic light' system since you originally booked the flights? Or has the destination changed its COVID entry requirements for UK travellers since you booked?

Thanks.

Its changed from orange to green.

issue is we are travelling for a family function to IBZ first thing Monday morning

Booked flights to depart at 2055 hours on the Sunday evening.

my son is a junior doc on rota till lunch time. FR have changed the flight time to 1600h ( conveniently just under their restrictive 5 hours rule). No way we can make it to the airport on time.

tried their chat facility who are as obstructive as possible and suggested a flew to another Airport to get there. Ridiculous.

Screwed over for working for the NHs and their rota system and Ryanair’s punitive rules.

I am presuming a charge back in my AMEX won’t be successful either.

Unfortunately you're not on solid ground with respect to Ryanair's T&Cs, there being very few options open to you. But don't give up, give them a fight.

Raise a formal complaint with Ryanair, perhaps argue their unwillingness to assist may constitute a breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 because they have arbitrarily changed the flight times by almost 5 hours (perhaps suggest a retiming intentionally chosen by the airline to prevent you relying on Ryanair CoC) and that the term allowing them to unilaterally change the timing of the flight by 4 hours 55 minutes is an unfair and iniquitous term given that you would not have that option without paying a significant financial penalty. Advise them that their schedule change means the service as is now scheduled is no longer fit for purpose because their time change means you cannot possibly use the service purchased as originally intended.

They may or may not move, I suspect not. Once you have exhausted the complaint (this must be in writing - email is fine) ask them to provide a "deadlock letter" and make a formal complaint via ADR: How to complain about a Ryanair flight | Cancellation | AviationADR

Thankyou very much for your help. Much appreciated.