Spanish Court Orders Ryanair to Refund Carry-On Fees
Ryanair’s policy of charging for carry-on baggage has suffered a major legal setback in Spain after a regional court in Salamanca ruled that the low-cost carrier must reimburse a passenger who paid a total of €148 (about $160) in hand-luggage fees on five separate flights between 2019 and 2024. In its May 2025 decision, the court concluded that a small cabin bag is an essential element of air travel and therefore must be included in the basic ticket price rather than sold as an optional extra. The judgment underscores Spain’s growing resolve to protect consumer rights in the travel sector and could force budget airlines serving the country to rethink their ancillary revenue strategies.
The Salamanca case follows a string of Spanish rulings that have rejected extra fees for items traditionally treated as part of the standard fare. Judges have repeatedly emphasized that transparent pricing is a legal requirement under Spanish aviation regulations, which prioritize passenger welfare over airlines’ unbundled pricing models. Although the decision is binding only within Spain, legal experts say it could become a persuasive precedent for other courts in the European Union if similar complaints arise, raising the stakes for carriers that rely heavily on ancillary charges.
Spain’s consumer-protection stance contrasts sharply with most other EU jurisdictions, where hand baggage fees remain legally permissible provided that airlines disclose them before purchase. By labeling cabin bags a non-negotiable component of the service, Spanish courts are effectively challenging the business model of low-cost airlines that entice customers with ultra-low base fares and then monetize add-ons such as seat selection and carry-on allowances. If the trend continues, airlines operating extensive Spanish networks may need to absorb the cost of hand luggage or offset it through higher base fares, eroding the pricing advantage that has fueled their rapid growth.
Ryanair has defended its policy, noting that it allows every passenger one free personal item measuring up to 40 × 25 × 20 cm and offers the option to pay for larger bags. The airline argues that this approach provides consumers with choice, keeps headline prices low, and complies with European legislation. Ryanair also points to favorable decisions from courts in A Coruña, Segovia, Ontinyent, Seville, and Madrid to support the legality of its baggage rules. Nonetheless, consumer-rights groups believe the Salamanca judgment strengthens their hand and could inspire a wave of refund claims from travelers who have paid similar fees on flights to, from, or within Spain.
Industry analysts warn that the ultimate financial impact will depend on whether additional Spanish courts adopt the same interpretation and whether regulators move to codify the ruling into national law. Should that happen, low-cost carriers may shift capacity away from Spain or restructure fare packages to include a modest cabin bag by default. Meanwhile, passengers who feel aggrieved by surprise baggage charges are being encouraged to document their payments and pursue refunds through Spain’s streamlined small-claims process.
While the legal battle is far from over, the latest verdict reinforces Spain’s commitment to transparent airline pricing and signals that the era of separately monetizing basic passenger entitlements could be nearing its end in Europe’s third-largest aviation market.
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