A Dublin woman expressed her frustration with Ryanair, accusing the airline of lacking empathy after they denied her a £380 refund for a canceled booking following a family bereavement. Mary McHale had planned a girls weekend trip to Brussels but had to cancel last minute due to the sudden passing of her brother-in-law, Alan McHale, aged 61.
Despite reaching out to Ryanair immediately upon hearing the news, she was informed via online chat that she needed to provide a death certificate before the flight departure. Mary mentioned that the timing and her responsibilities supporting her grieving husband made obtaining the certificate challenging. This led to Ryanair rejecting her refund request.
Mary expressed her disappointment, stating that despite the circumstances, Ryanair showed no compassion. She emphasized the difficulty of the situation, mentioning the impossibility of leaving her husband during the funeral service to obtain the required documentation. The airline’s stance added unnecessary stress during an already trying time for her.
Despite her efforts to explain the challenges she faced, Ryanair maintained their position, citing their non-refundable ticket policy. Mary continued to appeal the decision but was met with a refusal to process her refund request.
In response, a Ryanair spokesperson reiterated their policy of non-refundable airfares, noting that the passenger had agreed to these terms at the time of booking. The airline emphasized that the passenger was not entitled to a refund based on their terms and conditions.
Mary’s case sheds light on the challenges passengers may face when dealing with airlines in sensitive situations, sparking discussions about the need for more flexibility and understanding in such circumstances.
