Ryanair charges woman 'ridiculous' bag fee as one wheel poked out of size checker

A passenger claims she was forced to fork out for a "ridiculous" baggage fee after the wheel of her suitcase poked out of the airline's size checker.

Elizabeth Keenan was Stansted yesterday morning. The 31-year-old said she paid £29 for the flight and £12.40 for priority boarding but was picked out of the boarding queue to have her bag measured.

She claims her luggage fit into the sizer but a Ryanair employee told her that it was too big as the wheel was sticking out. Elizabeth, who works in marketing, says she was forced to cough up £50.

Elizabeth, from Dublin, Ireland, said: "It's ridiculous. I paid for priority boarding and got the case especially because it fits. When I was in the queue, a staff member came over and asked me to put my bag in the sizer.

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"I put it in and took it straight back out because it fit perfectly. She said it was too big and I thought she was joking. But she said the wheel was sticking out so I'd have to pay 60 euros.

"I couldn't believe she was saying it was too big. I had to get to London for a conference so I couldn't not get on the flight and I was forced to pay it. Her colleague came over and apologised."

Elizabeth also claims that other passengers with bigger bags got on the flight without charge. She says she had purchased the £50 suitcase especially because it fit within the airline's 40x20x25cm specification.

Elizabeth added: "There were lots of men with bigger cases than mine that got on the flight without being stopped. I'm making a complaint and I want a refund. I can afford to pay but a lot of people can't and I don't have loads of money. It's a money making scheme. It makes me not want to fly with Ryanair. With an added 60 euros it's not cheaper than other airlines."

Ryanair has been contacted for comment.