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A recent court ruling in Spain has dealt a blow to Ryanair’s baggage fee policy, but it could spell the end of ultra-low-cost flights for many travellers flying to Spain, including from the UK.

 

A court in Salamanca ordered Ryanair to refund a passenger £124 in hand luggage fees charged across five flights between 2019 and 2024. The court found that cabin bags are an essential part of air travel and should not incur additional charges.

 

While the decision has been welcomed by passengers who feel airlines have long taken advantage with added costs, legal and aviation experts warn the fallout could be felt more widely. The most likely outcome is that airlines flying to and from Spain will be forced to raise base fares to cover the inclusion of hand luggage in all ticket prices.

 

Kevin Bodley, an aviation solicitor at Steele Raymond LLP, called the ruling “potentially significant” and said it may impact airline pricing models across Europe. “The core issue is whether airlines can justify imposing extra charges for basic passenger entitlements in an attempt to lower headline fares,” he said.

 

Bodley explained that while the decision is based on Spanish law, it reflects a 2014 European Court of Justice ruling that already deemed cabin bags essential to passenger transport. Since then, many low-cost carriers have continued to charge for larger cabin bags while only offering a small personal item free of charge.

 

Ryanair insists its current policy complies with EU law. A spokesperson said: “Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a generous (40x25x20cm) personal bag on board as part of the basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an optional fee should they so wish. This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice.”

 

However, Bodley warned that this ruling could lead to a wave of refund claims in Spain, encouraged by the country's Ministry of Consumer Affairs. He also suggested that passengers across Europe might begin challenging fees that were once seen as standard practice.

 

“This verdict not only benefits the individual passenger but also sets a legal precedent forcing airlines to alter pricing structures throughout Spain,” he said, adding that it may “influence broader European air travel policies”.

 

While the ruling does not automatically apply across the EU due to legal variations in member states, its long-term impact could reshape how budget airlines operate - especially for passengers flying to Spain.

 

 

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