Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
Post Reply
caribike
Posts: 2
Joined: 7 May 2019, 11:02pm

Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by caribike »

My friend and I cycled from the Isle of Wight to Bournemouth Airport for a flight this morning to Mallorca. RyanAir would not accept our bicycles as hold luggage (already paid for). The bicycles were each packed in a CTC (Wiggle) poythene bag but this was not considered adequate - they wanted a hard box or a padded bag.
Their Ts and Cs on their website states: "Bicycles - MUST be contained in a protective box or protective bike bag in order to be accepted for travel. Electric bicycles cannot be transported by plane." I understood this meaning to keep grease etc off other hold luggage.
We've lost our airfares and about €1000 for our booked apartment in Sineu. Also one night in a TravelLodge, £35 each, and our Isle of Wight ferry fares, £18.
Any ideas what we do now?
User avatar
Cunobelin
Posts: 10801
Joined: 6 Feb 2007, 7:22pm

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Cunobelin »

Sounds hard, but the T&C are clear, and were not observed.
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by mjr »

This has been mentioned before on here at viewtopic.php?p=1275574#p1275574 but they were allowed to pay €30 for a box and fly.

I think you've lost the lot, sorry, but good luck if you decide to complain and try to recover some of it.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Bonefishblues
Posts: 11010
Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Bonefishblues »

Then bring an action against them to challenge their interpretation of protective against yours and recover your loss, but as others have said I think your chances are slim.

Turn it round, if they had trashed your bike in the bag, you'd also want compensation. What is the incentive for the airline to carry your bike?
bohrsatom
Posts: 807
Joined: 20 May 2013, 4:36pm

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by bohrsatom »

Cunobelin wrote:Sounds hard, but the T&C are clear, and were not observed.


I'm curious why you think they didn't observe the T&C given the bike was packaged in a "protective bike bag". The bag may be thin, but nowhere does it stipulate how much protection is required.

To the OP, I'm sorry this happened, maybe you could see if your travel insurance company agrees with your point of view?
Last edited by bohrsatom on 8 May 2019, 7:35am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 20308
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by mjr »

Bonefishblues wrote:What is the incentive for the airline to carry your bike?

They charge extra for it, plus it helps sell seats.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Bonefishblues
Posts: 11010
Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Bonefishblues »

mjr wrote:
Bonefishblues wrote:What is the incentive for the airline to carry your bike?

They charge extra for it, plus it helps sell seats.

I was referring specifically to the OP's bike in (IMHO) an unprotected state. Rather obviously, I thought, but happy to clarify :wink:
User avatar
Mick F
Spambuster
Posts: 56359
Joined: 7 Jan 2007, 11:24am
Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Mick F »

Two things:
One, you didn't read and comply with their T+Cs
Two, and the MOST important thing, is don't use Ryan Air. We did it once, but NEVER again. Find another airline. Vote with your feet.

They are the MOST difficult airline to deal with, and their luggage restrictions are restrictive and expensive.

Sorry to hear of your issues. :cry:
Mick F. Cornwall
User avatar
al_yrpal
Posts: 11537
Joined: 25 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
Location: Think Cheddar and Cider
Contact:

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by al_yrpal »

Small claims court should sort it. Inexpensive and effective.

Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
Bonefishblues
Posts: 11010
Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Bonefishblues »

bohrsatom wrote:
Cunobelin wrote:Sounds hard, but the T&C are clear, and were not observed.


I'm curious why you think they didn't observe the T&C given the bike was packaged in a "protective bike bag". The bag may be thin, but nowhere does it stipulate how much protection is required.

To the OP, I'm sorry this happened, maybe you could see if your travel insurance company agrees with your point of view?

Insurance company may agree with the OP you say?

Did hell get rather chilly when I wasn't looking? :lol:
Last edited by Bonefishblues on 9 May 2019, 2:17pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bonefishblues
Posts: 11010
Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Bonefishblues »

al_yrpal wrote:Small claims court should sort it. Inexpensive and effective.

Al

How do you rate OP's prospects of success?
reohn2
Posts: 45159
Joined: 26 Jun 2009, 8:21pm

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by reohn2 »

Mick F wrote:Two things:
One, you didn't read and comply with their T+Cs
Two, and the MOST important thing, is don't use Ryan Air. We did it once, but NEVER again. Find another airline. Vote with your feet.

They are the MOST difficult airline to deal with, and their luggage restrictions are restrictive and expensive.

Sorry to hear of your issues. :cry:

I agree,the last time we flew was with that bunch of crooks,never again.
Like others have said sorry to here about you issues,oncce bitten,etc.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
Oldjohnw
Posts: 7764
Joined: 16 Oct 2018, 4:23am
Location: South Warwickshire

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Oldjohnw »

Bonefishblues wrote:
al_yrpal wrote:Small claims court should sort it. Inexpensive and effective.

Al

How do you rate OP's prospects of success?


Whose contract has been breached?

Btw, I am very sorry for your dilemma.
Last edited by Oldjohnw on 8 May 2019, 9:25am, edited 1 time in total.
John
User avatar
Lance Dopestrong
Posts: 1306
Joined: 18 Sep 2014, 1:52pm
Location: Duddington, in the belly button of England

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Lance Dopestrong »

I guess if it went to small claims it would depend on what is reasonable defined as a "protective bag". Protect the bike? From what? Protect other items from the bike? What items? What risk? I'd hesitate to hazard a guess how it would go either way, although thr T&C's don't specifically state "padded" as being a requirement.

Nightmare, and whether they were right or wrong it must've been upsetting for the OP :( But that's Ryanair - pay peanuts, don't be surprised when they treat us like monkeys.
MIAS L5.1 instructor - advanded road and off road skills, FAST aid and casualty care, defensive tactics, SAR skills, nav, group riding, maintenance, ride and group leader qual'd.
Cytec 2 - exponent of hammer applied brute force.
Bonefishblues
Posts: 11010
Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
Location: Near Bicester Oxon

Re: Abandoned holiday - RyanAir terms and conditions

Post by Bonefishblues »

Oldjohnw wrote:
Bonefishblues wrote:
al_yrpal wrote:Small claims court should sort it. Inexpensive and effective.

Al

How do you rate OP's prospects of success?


Whose contract has been breached?

I think that the only approach would be to argue that the airline has breached their own terms of carriage, which caused consequential loss to the OP, for which they are claiming.
Post Reply