As long as it's at least 28 days before your travel date, you should receive a full refund for the cancelled flight. Cancellation due to serious illness or death of someone due to travel. Ryanair will use its discretion, but you should be able to cancel your flights and receive a refund.

Ryanair’s official policy in 2026 is that all flights are non-refundable if they are operational and on time. If you are ill and unable to travel, Ryanair will not typically issue a refund. However, they do allow for flight changes: you can move your booking to a later date (up to 2.5 hours before departure) by paying a flight change fee plus any difference in the fare. If the illness involves the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, Ryanair may, at their discretion, offer a partial refund or travel credit if you provide a valid medical certificate or death certificate through their "Manage My Booking" portal. In most cases of standard personal illness, your best course of action is to claim the loss through your travel insurance, which usually covers cancellations due to medical reasons. If you simply "no-show" for the flight, you won't be charged any penalty, but you will lose the full cost of the ticket. For 2026 travelers, the "flexibility" often comes from the insurance policy you hold rather than the airline's own rigid, low-cost cancellation rules.