LONDON – Ryanair has been voted the worst short-haul airline to handle COVID-19-based refunds.

The airline has consistently come under fire for its “consistently terrible customer service”, and currently has a refund rating of 47%, as per consumer group Which?.

It is also understood that over one in five customers who booked a Ryanair flight had their itinerary either canceled or that they could not board due to the COVID crisis waited over a month to receive said refund.

Which?’s travel editor Rory Boland commented on the customer service from Ryanair:

“Ryanair’s consistently terrible customer service has made it a fixture among the worst performers in our surveys for many years – but the airline plumbed new depths with its handling of COVID refunds.”

“BA’s reputation also deservedly took a battering when it took a hard line on refunds for passengers who could not travel because they followed government health guidance.”

“Many passengers will not forget how they were treated by companies during the pandemic.”

“COVID could still cause disruption to international travel, so we would advise travelers to book with operators that have flexible booking policies and a record of treating their customers fairly.”

This comes as no surprise given the nature of how low-cost Ryanair is, but on the refunds front, more needs to be done by the airline.