Passengers flying with Ryanair from Birmingham Airport have been left upset and out of pocket after being hit with hefty last-minute baggage fees, despite believing their hand luggage was within the rules.
Couple Charged £150 Despite 'Compliant' Bags
Lisa Sheasby, 58, and her husband Fabio Lima, 49, were among at least 15 travellers targeted on a flight to Verona, Italy, on 28 December. The couple, who had booked Regular Fares, say they were using suitcases designed to meet Ryanair's strict cabin baggage dimensions.
"Despite using a branded suitcase specifically designed to meet Ryanair's measurements, I was forced to pay £75 at the gate," Lisa, a floral designer, explained. "My husband also got charged. At least 15 people were also targeted, some left crying and distressed."
She claims to have photographic evidence showing her bag fitting the airport sizer, but says staff refused to review it. The couple were charged a total of £150.
Ryanair's Response and a Second Incident
After complaining to the airline on 4 January, the Ryanair customer service team stated they could not assist and referred the matter to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body. A Ryanair spokeswoman later said the bags "exceeded the permitted size" and the gate fee was applied correctly.
In a separate incident from Birmingham Airport, travel agency owner Gilly Bachelor, 55, was fined an extra £75 to take her bag on a flight to Malaga, despite having paid for priority and two cabin bags. She alleges at least 20 people were pulled aside and fined during boarding.
"Ryanair is a very low-cost airline, so they operate to tight margins and will generate extra revenue wherever they can," Gilly commented.
Passenger Advice and Ongoing Dispute
Both affected passengers urge others to be vigilant. Gilly advises travellers to "check the size rules carefully and invest in a compliant bag" to avoid gate stress. Lisa Sheasby, however, insists the issue is about fairness, stating Ryanair is "ignoring its own rules to extract 'hard-earned cash' from compliant passengers."
The incidents highlight the ongoing tension between budget airlines' stringent baggage policies and passengers' understanding of the rules, with significant financial penalties being enforced at the boarding gate.
