Ryanair hand luggage policy changes: What are the new rules and how will they affect passengers?

There has already been substantial backlash over Ryanair’s change of hand baggage policy, which came into effect on Monday 15 January 2018. Some passengers have claimed they feel “held to ransom” by the airline over the changes. Here’s how Ryanair’s new cabin bag policy will affect travellers.

How has Ryanair’s hand luggage policy changed?

The airline previously allowed passengers to take a large bag (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) and small bag (35cm x 20cm x 20cm) with them to be stored in the cabin at no extra cost. From Monday, while travellers can still take two bags for free, the larger of these will be put in the hold as standard when they reach the boarding gate.

“We hope that all our customers will enjoy these new bag rules which are centred around lower checked bag fees and bigger bag allowances,” Kenny Jacobs, Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement.

“All Ryanair customers will still be free to bring two free carry-on bags but because of our heavily booked flights (94 per cent load factors), we don’t have space on board for this many wheelie bags so we will ask non-priority customers to put their bigger bag in the hold – free of charge – from Monday 15 January in order to eliminate boarding delays and improve our industry leading on-time departures.”

The low-cost carrier is simultaneously lowering check-in bag fees from £35 to £25 per bag, and upping the baggage allowance for paid-for check-in bags from 15kg to 20kg.

How will this affect passengers?

The main difference will be that passengers will have to wait at the luggage carousel when they arrive at their destination, rather than being able to go straight from the plane through passport control to the airport exit.

However, the move may not make too much difference to frequent fliers; as the overhead lockers can only accommodate a finite number of bags, passengers were frequently being told their large bag would have to be stored in the hold instead. According to a Which? investigation in February 2017, over a quarter (26 per cent) of Ryanair passengers unexpectedly had to check-in their cabin bag at the gate on their most recent flight​.

How much does it cost to take two bags as carry-on?

Passengers who pay for Priority Boarding will be able to take both bags into the cabin with them. This costs from £5, one-way.

Can passengers take any bags on the plane without paying extra?

Travellers can still take one small bag – maximum measurements 35cm x 20cm x 20cm – into the cabin with them at no extra cost. It’s only the larger bag that must be stowed in the hold, free of charge.

Why is Ryanair changing this policy?

The airline says it is to avoid delays in boarding and deplaning. Ryanair spokespeople have previously railed against passengers “taking the piss” when it comes to hand luggage.

“I’ve seen two-year-olds wheeling a bag up to the plane as people try to take advantage,” Ryanair’s chief financial officer, Neil Sorahan, said in July 2017. “We’re very generous with our cabin baggage allowance. If everyone [sticks to it] there’s no issue. It’s the people coming with the kitchen sink that could change the policy.”

How does Ryanair compare to other airlines?

EasyJet currently lets passengers bring one large hand luggage bag at no extra cost – maximum dimensions 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Those who are easyJet Plus cardholders, or customers who’ve purchased FLEXI fare, Up Front or Extra Legroom, can also take a smaller bag, such as a laptop bag or handbag, that must be stored under the seat in front.

British Airways allows hand baggage-only fliers to take one handbag or laptop bag, weighing no more than 23kg and up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm in size, and an additional cabin bag, weighing no more than 23kg and up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm in size, into the cabin.

Both airlines say they cannot guarantee larger hand luggage bags will not be placed in the hold if there is not enough space.