Aer Lingus cancelled my flight last minute and offered no clear refund, how can I claim compensation?

If Aer Lingus cancelled your flight last minute and offered no clear refund and you want to claim compensation;

Contact Aer Lingus Customer Support with a clear escalation;

• State that Aer Lingus cancelled your flight at short notice and you were not given a clear refund or proper assistance
• Provide your booking reference (PNR), flight number/date, route, and cancellation notice
• Attach screenshots/emails showing the cancellation and your original itinerary
• Include proof of payment (card/bank statement) and any extra costs you incurred (hotel, meals, transport)

Ask them to;

• Confirm the reason for the cancellation and whether it was within the airline’s control
• Process a full refund to your original payment method for the unused ticket
• Reimburse reasonable expenses caused by the last-minute cancellation (hotel, meals, transfers)
• Pay compensation if eligible under EU Regulation EC 261/2004
• Provide written confirmation of the refund/compensation amounts and a clear timeline

Important points to include in your claim;

• Under EU261/2004, if a flight is cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice and not due to extraordinary circumstances, you may be entitled to cash compensation (€250–€600) depending on distance
• Refund, rebooking, care (hotel/meals), and compensation are separate rights — accepting one does not cancel the others
• You are not required to accept vouchers unless you agree to them voluntarily

Many people have shared their issues here and found resolutions. If you have one, feel free to reach out to Xolvie.