Ryanair has been named the worst short-haul airline for its handling of Covid-19 refunds by a consumer watchdog.
The Dublin-based airline was given a measly score of 47% in a survey conducted by the consumer group Which?.
More than one in five respondents who had booked flights with Ryanair, but were unable to board due to cancellation or Covid-19, claimed it took more than one month to get a refund.
"Ryanair is the most awkward airline to deal with that I have ever come across. It seems to be proud of being difficult," one customer said.
Another said: “Total lack of transparency about costs, and treating passengers like cattle to be squeezed for the last penny.”
It also received only one out of five stars for seat comfort, two out of five for boarding process, cabin cleanliness, and range and quality of food and drink. The budget airline only received three stars for value for money.
In an RTE Radio 1 interview, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said that "everyone that has requested a refund for us has received it."
How did other airlines fare? (Scores out of 100)
Jet2 - 82
KLM - 75
EasyJet - 70
Tui Airways - 64
British Airways - 63
Ryanair - 55
Covid cancellations may soon be a thing of the past, as travel restrictions ease.
The airline carried a total of 7 million passengers in January, up from 1.3 million the same time last year.
Michael O'Leary has said they are cautiously optimistic for 2022: "While recent bookings have improved, following easing of travel restrictions, the booking curve remains very late and close-in, so Q4 traffic requires significant price stimulation at lower prices."
Dublin Live has contacted Ryanair for comment.
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