A Ryanair passenger recently found herself in a predicament after being charged an extra £75 due to an issue with her luggage. Catherine Warrilow, who had pre-paid for priority boarding, a 10kg cabin bag, and an underseat bag, was travelling from Stansted to Seville last month when she was confronted by staff at the gate. They claimed her cabin bag was 2cm too large, even though Catherine adjusted the contents and secured it with a luggage strap to fit within Ryanair’s size restrictions. Despite her efforts, the airline insisted that the bag’s expandable zip could potentially breach the size limits. Frustrated, Catherine took to TikTok to express her outrage, labelling the situation as “mind-bendingly ridiculous”.
Following this incident, Catherine paid an additional £35 to check in the bag for her return flight, bringing the total cost to a whopping £110. She highlighted the inconsistency in enforcing these rules, as some passengers with similar-sized bags were allowed to board without any issues. Catherine also shared her experience on the Jeremy Vine show, where she detailed the absurdity of the situation, including being fined for the bag’s expandable zip despite it fitting within the sizing rack.
In response to the ordeal, Catherine sought assistance from consumer champion Helen Dewdney, who helped draft an email to Ryanair citing a potential breach of consumer law. The outcome was a full refund from the airline within 24 hours of sending the email. Helen suggested that while many passengers may not challenge such fees, invoking consumer protection laws can lead to refunds and potentially set a precedent for airlines to adhere more closely to regulations.
When contacted for a statement, Ryanair maintained that their staff followed protocol by checking the bag size according to their Terms and Conditions. However, as a goodwill gesture, they agreed to issue a full refund to Catherine. The airline’s handling of the situation has raised questions about transparency and consistency in enforcing luggage policies.
To prevent similar issues, Helen provided some practical tips for passengers regarding cabin luggage. She advised travellers to carefully review the dimensions allowed for cabin bags when booking flights, compare costs across airlines, and use measuring apps to ensure compliance with size restrictions. It is essential for passengers to be aware of luggage policies and advocate for their rights when faced with unjust charges or penalties.
The incident involving Catherine Warrilow serves as a reminder of the importance of being informed and proactive when dealing with airline regulations. By standing up for consumer rights and seeking recourse through appropriate channels, passengers can challenge unjust practices and hold airlines accountable for their actions.