A seasoned traveller and travel agency owner has issued a stark warning to UK holidaymakers after being hit with a hefty fine by budget airline Ryanair for a seemingly minor luggage infraction.
The Costly Boarding Gate Surprise
Gilly Bachelor, 55, from Cannock, was boarding a flight from Birmingham Airport to Malaga, Spain, on 12 January 2026, when her travel plans took an expensive turn. As she proceeded to the gate, Ryanair staff placed her cabin suitcase into the baggage sizer to check its dimensions.
According to Ms Bachelor, the issue was not the main body of her bag but specifically its wheels, which were allegedly protruding slightly from the sizer, making it marginally too wide. Despite having paid for priority boarding and two cabin bag options, totalling £125, she was informed she would need to pay an additional £75 to bring the bag on board.
'At Least 20 People' Fined on One Flight
The experienced traveller described the scene as "stressful" and claimed she was far from alone. She estimated that at least 20 other passengers on the same aircraft were pulled aside and faced similar fines as a staff member meticulously checked every bag in the sizer during the boarding process.
"I’ve taken that bag on lots of flights with no problem, just not Ryanair," Ms Bachelor explained. "I travel a lot myself, so I’m usually pretty relaxed, and clearly this caught me out this time."
A Reminder to Double-Check Airline Rules
Reflecting on the incident, Ms Bachelor acknowledged that while Ryanair often faces criticism, its baggage rules are clearly stated. She pointed out that the airline's guidance notes the overhead lockers have a limited capacity, hence the strict checks at the gate to ensure compliance.
"Ryanair is a very low-cost airline, so they operate to tight margins and will generate extra revenue wherever they can," she added, demonstrating an understanding of the business model from her perspective as a travel professional.
Her flight home was with easyJet, where she confirmed her bag was fully compliant, as it would have been with Jet2. This experience highlighted for her that rules can vary significantly between carriers, even on popular UK routes.
Her final advice to passengers is unequivocal: "My advice is to check the size rules carefully and invest in a compliant bag. It’s much less stressful than being caught at the gate and paying a fine." A spokesperson for Ryanair was approached for comment on this specific incident.
