suitcase

A Ryanair passenger has hit out at the airline after she was forced to pay a £75 oversized bag fee for a suitcase she claims to have used ‘more than 30 times’ over the last seven years

A Ryanair passenger claims she was forced to pay a £75 fee at the airport terminal for a bag she has travelled fine with ‘more than 30 times’. The flyer, named Laura, shared her frustration on X after the unexpected luggage charge.

Laura, who had been flying through Manchester Airport, posted: “Hey @Ryanair I want a refund for the £75 that the absolute jobsworth at Manchester Airport this afternoon took from me for an ‘oversized’ bag i’ve used and never had an issue with on this exact journey maybe 30+ times over the last seven years.” She included a photograph showing the bag apparently fitting into the 40 x 30 x 20 cm slot which is permitted.

In a follow-up to her initial post, she explained: “I asked a staff member, ‘have the measurements changed recently?’ and they said no, but that the enforcement was more stringent.”

One person responded: “This happened to me last year! Baring in mind I’ve just come back from a holiday 2 weeks before and had no problems.

“Their argument was that it was sticking out (being too wide). It wasn’t at all and is the same as yours is in the picture. Poor behaviour.”

Another user chimed in: “You’re so right, they’re trying to get money as much as they can, I had to buy a new bag as the one I’ve been using for the last 14 years is ‘too big’ and they also made me pay. They want to take money as much as possible.”

A third also added: “I hate that but there is no winning. The only way I found is to ask for the measure and have them measure it, if it checks out then it’s fine if not, then it’s on you.”

Not everyone was sympathetic, however, with some siding with Ryanair over the bag’s size. One user wrote: “The depth of your suitcase goes over the line that clearly says too big. What makes you think you are entitled to this over the other millions of passengers who don’t do this?”.

Another commented: “Looks like you owe Ryanair £2,250 for those 30 flights. Double it if they were returns.”

While one user simply stated: “It’s oversized.”

Several others urged Laura to switch airlines if she was unhappy with Ryanair’s policies.

She responded, however: “Unfortunately they’re the only airline operating on that route.”

A representative for Ryanair said: “This passenger booked a Regular Fare for this flight from Manchester to Göteborg Landvetter (Aug 4), which allowed them to carry a small personal bag and 10kg cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm onboard.

“As this passenger’s cabin bag exceeded the permitted size, she was correctly required to pay a standard gate baggage fee by the gate agent at Manchester Airport.”

What are Ryanair’s baggage fees?

Ryanair’s baggage fees vary dynamically depending on the route, date of travel, and when you purchase the allowance. Buying baggage online during your initial flight booking is always the cheapest option.

Cabin and hand luggage fees

Every passenger is allowed one small personal item for free (e.g., laptop bag, small backpack) that must fit under the seat in front of you (max 40 x 20 x 25 cm).

Priority and 2 cabin bags: Allows you to bring the free small bag plus a 10kg overhead cabin bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm).

• When booking flight: €/£6 to €/£36
• Added post-booking / at airport

Gate baggage fee: If your non-priority cabin bag is oversized at the gate, it will be placed in the hold for a fee of €/£50 to €/£69.99.

Checked baggage fees

• 10kg checked bag – €/£9.49 – €/£44.99 during initial booking, €/£23.99 – €/£44.99 post-booking/at airport
• 20kg checked bag – €/£18.99 – €/£59.99 during initial booking, €/£39.99 – €/£59.99 post-booking/at airport
• 23kg checked bag – €/£29.99 – €/£80.99 during initial booking, €/£54.00 – €/£97.00 post-booking/at airport

Aug. 2 (UPI) — Greek police announced Sunday they have arrested a man in connection with the grisly discovery of a British woman whose body had been stuffed into a suitcase and abandoned in an Athens neighborhood.

The Hellenic Police said a 26-year-old foreign man was identified as a suspect in the case and that he has been charged with manslaughter, robbery and violation of weapons laws.

The victim was identified by police as a 38-year-old British woman whose body was discovered stuffed into a suitcase left in an abandoned building in the neighborhood of Kypseli at on July 18.

Multiple media reports named the victim as Elisabeth-Jane Ross, a resident of Scotland.

Authorities determined she had been dead for eight days before her body was discovered.

They said the suspect confessed to his actions after being interrogated on Thursday, confirming to authorities he placed Ross’ body in a suitcase and transported it to the abandoned site.

The man later used victim’s bank cards to withdraw money from he accounts, police said.

During searches carried out at his home, a replica pistol and a knife were found and seized, accounting for the weapons charge.

Hellenic Police said they worked closely with British and Scottish counterparts in investigating the case.

Lisa had initially stayed in the area of Keratsini, 5.9 miles (9.5km) west of central Athens, with Greek friends.

She had told them that on 15 July she would go to Kypseli, where her “American friends” or acquaintances were.

On Saturday Greek police said they were fast-tracking toxicology reports in order to ascertain the cause of her death, potentially “in the coming days”.

Test results can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months depending on the complexity of the case and the workload of forensic laboratories.

They were also looking to trace Lisa’s American friends, who they said were also staying in Kypseli.

First Minister John Swinney called it an “absolutely appalling case”.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “This is an extremely distressing time for the family of Elisabeth-Jane Ross and it is important that their privacy is respected while enquiries continue.

“Scottish government officials are in communication with the family and with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to ensure they receive appropriate support.

“As this remains an operational matter for Police Scotland, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

A CLEVER suitcase trick has gone viral on TikTok which will get you two checked suitcases for the price of one.

Travellers have called it a huge “new life hack.”

For those looking to save on pesky baggage fees, TikTok may have just found the answer.

A user has posted a video to the social media site giving holidaymakers a sneaky travel hack for those planning on bringing back a mountain of holiday souvenirs and shopping.

The viral trick involves placing a large packed suitcase inside an empty one.

Zip them both up, check them into hold luggage and you’ve managed to take away two bags for the price of one.

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Travellers can then fill the empty suitcases with a host of holiday purchases and bring the two bags back on the return flight, ideal for those heading on long-distance trips.

You will obviously need to pay for both suitcases on your return, but you’ll have scrimped some cash on the outbound flight.

It also means you won’t need to buy an extra suitcase during your trip if you already had spares at home.

However, an even handier hack has emerged online for those looking to max out their holiday packing.

Pop a smaller packed suitcase inside a large suitcase for your outbound flight.

On the return, you can check in the larger suitcases filled to the brim with new purchases and souvenirs, and keep the smaller bag as your free carry- on bag.

The result is only having to pay for one checked bag on each flight.

Fans of the popular hack poured praise on the social media platform.

“This is absolutely freakin’ brilliant,” wrote one user.

Another added: “Doing this for years, saves you space in the big suitcase and gives you extra space once you use it as a carry-on the way back.”

“This is a great idea because I have about 55 suitcases from each time I had to buy an extra one,” said another.

Another said: “Oh my god new life hack unlocked.”

A savvy packing hack has also been doing the rounds on social media, helping shoppers whittle down their wardrobe into just nine essential items.

The trick means you can save on baggage fees by only bringing one free hand luggage bag.

LIDL is selling a cabin suitcase in its famous middle aisle this week – but we’ve found one that’s just as good and even CHEAPER.

The AVIO Jett 45cm Cabin Suitcase on Amazon is on sale for £18.69 compared to Lidl’s £19.99 version.

AVIO Jett 45cm Cabin Suitcase – £18.69 (was £21.99) at Amazon

The Lidl case holds 10kg of luggage and fits within the size requirements of most UK-based airlines, helping you dodge those hefty oversized baggage fees.

But the Amazon dupe is cheaper and even better.

Like the Lidl bargain, the AVIO option features a secure hard shell, easy-glide wheels and fits neatly in a plane’s overhead locker.

It also comes with an extra feature that the Lidl option doesn’t have.

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It has a built-in, three-digit lock to protect your items.

This means you can lock down your zips and keep your passport, tech, and any valuables secure without needing to buy a separate padlock.

And you can’t beat the peace of mind knowing that your luggage is safe and secure when out of sight.

Amazon reviewers rate the suitcase very highly, too, giving it a 4.3/5 star rating and praising that the roomy suitcase lets you make the most of your cabin baggage allowance.

AVIO Jett 45cm Cabin Suitcase – £18.69 (was £21.99) at Amazon

One reviewer said, “These are excellent little cases. We bought them to fly with easyJet and to keep our ticket price as low as possible; these will fit easily under the seat in front.

“We were able to get a surprising amount of stuff in them for a four night stay; toilet bag (basics), 4 t-shirts, hoodie, 4 socks, 4 pants, sweatpants and Birkenstocks and some electronics and an anorak.”.

Another reviewer added, “Amazing quality, very lightweight, tires are nice. For cabin bag, its good as it gets”.

If you want to bag yourself a secure, size-compliant cabin suitcase, I’d recommend going for the Amazon option whilst it’s on sale.

Plus it’s much easier to order the dupe from your sofa than head out to Lidl to find the in-store middle isle stock.

And what’s better than pocketing the spare change from your saving to treat yourself to an ice cream once you’re on your holiday!

Prices correct at the time of publication.

Australian national Simon Peter Carman has been charged with murder after the body of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was found inside a suitcase. CCTV footage appears to show the pair entering a hotel together and Carman leaving hours later with only a suitcase.

The wheels can come off too

A holiday expert has posted a video testing a £25 suitcase from Primark against Ryanair cabin size rules – which have just been updated.

Not only is the suitcase a great price, but its wheels can be removed to help it meet the requirements. Ryanair is one of the most popular airlines in the UK, offering cheap flights to a number of destinations. Its bag rules state: “All fares include one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that must fit under the seat.”

Talking about the free bag, it adds that the small personal bag “such as a handbag or laptop bag” must adhere to its measurements and “fit under the seat in front of you. If you need additional baggage allowance, there are various options available to you.”

It adds: “Additional options include Priority boarding with a second 10kg cabin bag, checked bags of 10kg, 20kg (up to 3), or 23kg (1 allowed). Infants have no cabin allowance but may bring a 5kg baby bag and two baby equipment items free.”

Focusing on the small personal bag size, and creating five TikTok videos on the bag alone, Chelsea Dickenson, who has appeared on shows like This Morning to share her tips, said she loves the suitcase and is “genuinely impressed with the quality for something that’s fairly affordable.”

Trying to fit the case into the bag size checker, she showed that it didn’t fit. That was until she took off the wheels.

It also remained below the red line, suggesting it met the airline’s standards, and thankfully, she got through security with no issues. Not only does it meet pre-boarding size requirements, but she also demonstrates that it fits neatly under the seat, describing it as “super slim.”

And if you’re wondering where you pop the wheels, she reveals: “It comes with a cloth bag that you can pop the wheels into. These are best put in your pocket – so remember to wear something with pockets big enough! Otherwise, you could pop it back in the suitcase.”

But be careful. In one of her videos on the £25 bag, she says she ended up losing a wheel and advises others to ensure the wheels click securely back into place when reattaching them.

What happens at the boarding gate if my cabin bags are bigger than my allowance?

Ryanair state: “You must adhere strictly to the baggage allowance on your booking. If your small bag or 10kg cabin bag does not fit in the baggage sizers, it will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available, placed in the hold of the aircraft for a fee at the level set out in our Regulations.

“You will be required to leave your bags at the aircraft steps, in the gate bag trolley, or as directed by Ryanair agents, for stowage in the hold.”

READ MORE: Ryanair cabin bag rules to change and it’s good news for passengers

IF you’re an over-packer who constantly battles to zip your suitcase shut, this Amazon find is a game-changer.

Shoppers are rushing to buy these compression packing cubes that do far more than just organise your holiday outfits – they actively squeeze your clothes down into compact bundles, too.

While regular packing cubes can save you around 15% luggage space, compression cubes can save you up to 50% – effectively giving you another half a suitcase to fill.

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

The cubes are slashed to nearly half-price on Amazon, where you can snap them up for just £19.99 – 33% down from the usual £29.99.

These compression cubes come in handy for all sorts of holidays, whether you’re heading off backpacking or want to pack as many Ibiza party outfits as possible.

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They even have a waterproof compartment to separate any dry and damp clothes from after your travels.

One pleased shopper said “These travel compression packing cubes were a game changer when I was travelling around Thailand with just a backpack.

“The sizes are really well thought out, making it easy to separate clothes, keep everything organised, and maximise space”.

Another shopper said “Really good packing cubes for the price I paid.

“Makes packing much easier and more organised. I wish I had bought them years ago!”

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

These packing cubes have rip-resistant double stitching and zip smoothly, even when you’ve stuffed them full.

Plus you’re even doing your bit for the environment by picking these cubes, as they’re made from recycled plastic bottles.

The compression packing cubes come in six different colours: grey, beige, blue, black, green and red.

As well as condensing down your clothing into tightly-packed bundles, packing cubes can be a great organising tool.

You can pick an item to bundle into each section – t-shirts, trousers, dresses, socks, toiletries – then pick a cube to pop each of them into.

That way when you need to grab something on holiday, you won’t be rummaging around in your suitcase – you’ll know exactly where to find it.

Travel Compression Packing Cubes, £19.99 (was £29.99)

Prices correct at time of publication.

It can be frustrating waiting for your suitcase to appear but one strategy could help you get your bags off the baggage carousel first

Airport security checks and baggage restrictions can turn holidays into a source of stress, and the anxiety only intensifies as you wait to see whether your suitcase has actually made it off the plane.

The dread of lost luggage hangs over many travellers right up until the moment they spot their bag on the carousel — and even then, there’s the worry that someone else might accidentally grab it. But there’s a straightforward trick that could see your suitcase come off the plane first, allowing you to get your holiday underway without unnecessary delays.

Guidance from Escape.com suggests checking in for your flight as late as you possibly can. The logic? Late check-ins mean your luggage gets loaded last, and in theory, should emerge first upon landing, according to Thomas Lo Sciuto, a ramp worker and gate agent at a regional US airport.

The airport worker explained: “Your best option is to be one of the last passengers to check your bags. This is because bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts.”

That said, bags aren’t solely loaded according to check-in times. Anyone who can’t stomach the idea of leaving check-in until the eleventh hour will be relieved to hear that weight is also a factor in certain circumstances, reports the Express.

SmarterTravel told HuffPost that US aviation giant Delta, which flies out of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), sorts luggage into large and small loads to ensure proper weight distribution across the aircraft. As passengers check in their luggage, it gets sorted into “cans” – large containers that hold multiple bags and can be transported as one unit.

SmarterTravel said: “In other words, how far back your bag ends up depends on the weight of the can and the needs of the plane, not when you check it.”

Aircraft with a single aisle typically “loose-load” bags one by one rather than bundling them into cans, as is the case with wider-bodied planes. When this happens, checked bags generally go into a holding area.

Luggage gets transported to the aircraft and loaded shortly before departure, meaning its chances of being loaded first hinge on when it was checked in.

If a bag was checked in early, it could end up at the rear of the storage space, meaning it would be last onto the plane and potentially first off.

Other tactics to ensure your bags come off the carousel first upon landing include marking them as “fragile”.

News.com.au suggests this clever trick often results in your luggage being loaded onto the aircraft last and therefore unloaded first, which can significantly reduce your wait at the carousel.

That said, when opting for “fragile” stickers, travellers ought to strip off any old tags from their bags to prevent mix-ups. To make luggage stand out, opting for vibrant colours, customised tags, or securely fastened ribbons could help your bags catch your eye more easily.

The most reliable way to get out of the airport as swiftly as possible is to travel with hand luggage alone. Make certain this meets your specific airline’s requirements to avoid being forced to check your cabin bag at the gate.

A personal item, sometimes referred to as a small bag, needs to fit beneath the seat directly in front of you and typically measures no larger than 40x30x20cm.

Cabin bags are stowed in the overhead locker and can generally weigh up to 10kg, with dimensions not exceeding 56x45x25cm.

Among UK carriers, British Airways typically provides the most generous complimentary hand luggage allowance on its basic tickets.

Travellers can bring one 23kg cabin bag (56x45x25cm) and one smaller personal item (up to 40x30x15cm) without charge.

Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic similarly permit a complimentary cabin bag (10kg, 56x45x25cm) alongside a personal item.