Ryanair passengers dispute £75 bag-size fees after sizer controversy

In May, passenger Adam Binks posted a picture of his silver hard-shell suitcase placed inside a Ryanair bag-size measuring device, then complained about a £75 gate charge for an oversized bag. The post attracted thousands of likes and prompted other travelers to share comparable experiences of being fined despite their luggage appearing to fit the frame. Ryanair’s rules state that the whole bag, wheels and handles included, must be completely inside the sizer without force, and the airline claims its sizers are larger than the advertised limits, so any bag that fails is treated as exceeding the allowance.

Which? recommends measuring every part of the bag at home, photographing the bag in the sizer if challenged, and submitting evidence to Ryanair’s online feedback form, with the option to appeal to AviationADR if needed. The guide notes that fees range from £46-£60 for an oversized personal item to £70-£75 for a larger cabin bag, and that paying in advance is usually cheaper than disputing the charge at the gate.