In a landmark consumer rights victory, Ryanair has refunded a passenger €13.20 for a charge imposed for bringing carry-on luggage into the cabin. This is the first out-of-court settlement in Spain following a fine of over €150 million levied against Ryanair and three other airlines in May by Spain's Consumer Affairs Association.
The passenger, Águeda Fernández Martín, had paid the additional fee when purchasing a ticket for a flight from Seville to Santiago de Compostela. She was charged for selecting the "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" option, which increased her basic fare. After joining a platform for affected consumers, led by the consumer organization FACUA, she requested a refund.
FACUA Sevilla filed a claim with Ryanair in June, citing Article 97 of Spain's Air Navigation Law. This law requires airlines to transport carry-on luggage for free, provided it meets the airline’s size and weight limits. In August, Ryanair agreed to refund the charge.
Águeda has now received the refund and urges other passengers to demand their rights. “If we all claim, this situation will likely change,” she said.
FACUA continues to support legal action against airlines that refuse to refund carry-on baggage fees, advocating for consumer protection in the aviation sector.
