Ryanair Charges Passenger €60 for Water Bottle in Baggage Policy Dispute

2025-03-01

A Ryanair passenger was charged €60 (£50) for attempting to board a flight with a water bottle that did not comply with the airline’s strict baggage policy. Ruby Flanagan, who was travelling from Dublin to London Stansted on 4 February, was stopped at the gate after staff deemed her 750ml water bottle, which she had strapped across her body, to be an additional item. Despite fitting her carry-on backpack into the airline’s size-check box, she was told the bottle had to be placed inside the bag. When she complied, her bag was deemed too large, and she was charged the fee to board the flight.

Ryanair stated that Flanagan had booked a Basic Fare ticket, which allows one small personal bag (40 x 20 x 25cm) to be carried onboard. The airline claimed she attempted to board with an additional carry-on item, which did not fit within her permitted baggage allowance, and was therefore correctly charged the standard gate baggage fee. Flanagan, however, argued that she had not been charged for the bottle on her outbound flight and questioned the inconsistency.

The incident highlights Ryanair’s stringent baggage rules, which have frequently drawn criticism from passengers. The airline’s policy permits only one small bag that must fit under the seat, with additional cabin baggage incurring fees ranging from €20 to €60. Flanagan’s experience has sparked debate over the fairness of such charges, particularly for items like water bottles, which are often carried separately for convenience.

Ryanair has not commented on whether similar rules apply to other items such as neck pillows or umbrellas. The airline maintains that its policies are clearly stated and applied consistently, though passengers often report discrepancies in enforcement. Flanagan’s case underscores the challenges travellers face when navigating low-cost carriers’ strict baggage regulations.

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