This topic is about a traveler who faced difficulties while flying with Ryanair after having a permanent stoma. They encountered issues with carrying their medical supplies on board, despite having taken steps to ensure a smooth journey. Here's what happened and some advice for others in similar situations:

The traveler, who had recently undergone surgery to receive a permanent stoma, was taking their first flight with Ryanair to visit family. Before the trip, they:

- Obtained a doctor’s letter and a travel certificate.
- Called a Ryanair adviser, who confirmed that an additional medical bag weighing up to 5 kg would be accepted free of charge.

However, at the airport check-in desk, the agent refused to allow the extra medical bag without a £75 fee. The traveler, unwilling to pay, had to unpack their supplies in public and redistribute them into their relatives’ luggage. Complaints to the airline have only resulted in automated apology emails, adding to the stress of the experience.

Here are some helpful tips and insights for dealing with similar situations:

1. File formal complaints and escalate:
- Complain to Ryanair’s customer-care office and also send copies to their Dublin headquarters and the UK office at Stansted Airport.
- Submit complaints to national aviation and disability regulators, citing EU and UK disability regulations, as stomas are legally recognized disabilities.
- Consider hiring a solicitor; sometimes, a lawyer’s letter can lead to a personal apology and compensation.

2. Use Ryanair’s stated medical-baggage procedure:
- Notify the airline in advance, provide a list of items, and include the weight and size of the medical bag. Have the doctor’s letter ready at check-in.
- Ryanair’s policy allows an extra medical bag when arranged beforehand.

3. Leverage disability protections:
- Under UK/EU law, airlines must accommodate medical equipment, and denial can be considered discrimination.
- Demand staff training and seek reimbursement for distress and any extra costs.

4. Public visibility can help:
- Use Ryanair’s social-media pages to publicly share your experience; public posts often lead to quicker resolutions.

5. General flying tips from ostomates and other medical-device users:
- Keep ostomy supplies, CPAP machines, and similar equipment in a dedicated carry-on; most airlines allow these without counting them toward the hand-luggage limit.
- Bring TSA/airport security medical notification cards and inform screeners before body scans to avoid confusion.
- Pack a minimal emergency kit (spare pouch, wafer, adhesive, disposal bag) in your personal carry-on, even when checking the main supply bag.