A recent incident involving a Ryanair passenger being charged a £50 fee for carrying a water bottle has sparked widespread frustration among travelers. The passenger, Ruby Flanagan, was forced to pay the hefty fee after her water bottle was deemed to exceed Ryanair’s strict cabin baggage allowance.
This case has reignited the debate over budget airline fees, with critics accusing Ryanair of imposing excessive and unfair charges on passengers. But was the airline simply following its own rules, or is this another example of over-the-top enforcement?
What Happened?
The Incident
On February 4, 2025, Ruby Flanagan was flying from Dublin to London Stansted with Ryanair when she was stopped at the boarding gate.
✔ Outbound flight: She had previously flown from London to Dublin with no issues, carrying a small backpack and a 750ml water bottle strapped across her body.
✔ Return flight: At Dublin Airport, staff at the gate asked her to place her backpack in the baggage sizer to check if it fit within the airline’s size limits.
✔ The problem: While her backpack fit, staff insisted that her water bottle had to be placed inside the bag rather than carried separately.
✔ The consequence: When she placed the bottle inside, her backpack exceeded the size restrictions, resulting in a €60 (£50) charge for an oversized bag.
Rather than risk missing her flight, Flanagan paid the fee—more than twice the cost of the water bottle itself.
“I was absolutely shocked,” Flanagan told reporters. “I had no idea that carrying a water bottle separately could cost me £50! It felt completely unreasonable.”
Ryanair’s Baggage Policy: Are the Rules Too Strict?
Ryanair is well-known for its strict baggage policies, which require passengers to adhere to precise size restrictions.
Ryanair’s Standard Cabin Baggage Allowance
✔ Basic Fare Passengers: One small personal bag (max size: 40cm x 20cm x 25cm) that must fit under the seat.
✔ Priority Boarding Passengers: Allowed one extra cabin bag (max size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, max weight: 10kg).
✔ Additional Items: Duty-free bags, jackets, and small personal belongings must fit within the main cabin bag.
Ryanair states that if any item does not fit within the personal bag, the passenger must pay a gate fee for oversized baggage.
Was Ryanair Following Its Own Rules?
✔ Technically, yes. The airline’s policy clearly states that all items must fit within the allowed baggage.
✔ However, many passengers argue that carrying a water bottle separately is not the same as bringing an extra bag.
✔ Inconsistencies in enforcement: Flanagan had no issues on her outbound flight, suggesting that enforcement depends on individual staff discretion.
Public Reaction: Travelers Express Frustration
Passengers Slam Ryanair’s ‘Excessive Fees’
Flanagan’s case has gone viral on social media, with many travelers criticizing Ryanair for exploiting passengers with unnecessary charges.
🚨 Twitter user @UKTravelTalk:
“Charging £50 for a WATER BOTTLE? Ryanair never fails to find new ways to rip off passengers!”
🚨 Reddit user ‘BudgetFlyer101’ shared a similar experience:
“They tried to charge me for my duty-free bag once. Had to stuff it in my coat to avoid paying £50. Absolute scam!”
🚨 Another traveler, Sarah P., commented:
“This is why I stopped flying Ryanair. The flight is cheap, but by the time you add up the hidden fees, you might as well fly a full-service airline!”
Budget Airline Defenders Weigh In
However, some frequent budget travelers defended the airline, saying that Ryanair is transparent about its baggage policies.
✔ Mark Thompson, a travel blogger, stated:
“Ryanair’s rules are strict, but they’re not a secret. If you follow them properly, you’ll avoid these charges. The issue is people assume small things like a water bottle won’t count—but they do.”
✔ Another traveler added:
“Budget airlines survive by keeping costs low. You can’t expect the same flexibility as British Airways or Emirates.”
How to Avoid Unexpected Fees on Ryanair
If you’re flying with Ryanair or any budget airline, here are some tips to avoid surprise fees:
1. Measure Your Bag Beforehand
✔ Use a tape measure to check your bag’s dimensions before heading to the airport.
✔ If your bag is close to the limit, expect zero flexibility at the gate.
2. Plan for Personal Items
✔ Water bottles, jackets, laptops, and duty-free bags must fit within your main bag.
✔ If you can’t fit them inside, you may be charged.
3. Consider Upgrading to ‘Priority Boarding’
✔ Paying a little extra for Priority Boarding gives you an additional cabin bag allowance.
✔ This can be cheaper than paying a last-minute oversized baggage fee.
4. Be Prepared for Strict Enforcement
✔ Just because you got away with it on one flight doesn’t mean you will on the return journey.
✔ Assume staff will follow the rules strictly—and plan accordingly.
Ryanair’s Response
Following the backlash, a Ryanair spokesperson defended the airline’s policy, stating:
“Ryanair passengers are clearly informed of their cabin baggage allowance at the time of booking. To avoid extra fees, passengers should ensure that all personal items fit within their permitted carry-on baggage.”
However, Ryanair did not directly address the specific issue of carrying a water bottle separately, leaving many passengers frustrated by the lack of clarification.
Conclusion: Fair Policy or Money Grab?
The case of Ruby Flanagan’s £50 water bottle charge has once again highlighted the strict and sometimes unpredictable nature of budget airline fees. While Ryanair technically followed its policy, many passengers feel that the enforcement was unnecessarily harsh and designed to extract extra revenue.
For travelers, the key takeaway is clear: read the airline’s rules carefully, assume no leniency, and plan ahead to avoid surprise fees.
But as budget airlines continue to tighten their policies, the question remains—are passengers really getting a good deal, or are they being nickel-and-dimed at every turn?
FAQs
1. Why was the Ryanair passenger charged £50 for a water bottle?
She was required to fit the bottle inside her cabin bag, but doing so made the bag exceed the airline’s size limit, resulting in an oversized baggage fee.
2. Are Ryanair’s baggage fees always enforced?
Not always. Some passengers report inconsistent enforcement, depending on airport staff and individual flights.
3. Can I carry a water bottle separately on Ryanair?
No, unless it fits inside your cabin bag. Any separate items may be considered extra baggage.
4. What’s the best way to avoid baggage fees on Ryanair?
✔ Measure your bag before flying.
✔ Fit all personal items inside your allowed luggage.
✔ Consider upgrading to Priority Boarding for extra baggage allowance.
5. Will Ryanair change its baggage policy after this backlash?
Highly unlikely. Ryanair’s business model relies on strict baggage rules and additional fees to keep base fares low.
