Ryanair passengers who had booked a flight from 1 November onwards would have been subject to the new hand luggage changes.
This would mean either paying for Priority Boarding at £6, or for a 10kg bag for £8 to be put into the hold.
The airline said this would affect all passengers no matter when they booked the flights, resulting in extra costs for thousands.
They have since backtracked and now, any passenger who booked their flight before 31 August is exempt from this rules.
Passengers who booked before this date will get a free 10kg bag to take onboard. Ryanair has refunded 50,000 passengers who bought Priority Boarding after 1 September.
In a statement the airline said: “Ryanair today confirmed it will give a free 10kg check bag to all 2m non-priority customers who booked before 31 August, to travel after 1 November, the date when Ryanair introduces its new cheaper 10kg check bag service, and eliminates all free gate bags and related flight delays.
“All these 2m non-priority customers have been advised by email today that a free 10kg checked bag has been added to their booking.
“In addition, there are approx. 50,000 passengers who booked on/before 31 August but bought priority boarding (as a separate service) after 1st September since this new policy was introduced on 31 August.
“All these passengers have had the €8 cost of their priority boarding refunded but Ryanair will still allow them to travel with priority boarding free of charge.”
Ryanair’s Kenny Jacob added: “As always Ryanair continues to lower the cost of travel, while our new bag policy from 1 November means we can eliminate all free gate bags and related flight delays.”
Some people complained about not receiving the email, with one taking to Twitter to complain: “Not had a confirmation email nor has other family member booked on same flight. Can you ensure we actually do..”
Another asked: “I booked a couple off flights for next year all booked before August the 31st so I won’t have to pay for my hand luggage now?”
Passengers online still spoke of their confusion in regards to hand luggage allowed onboard.
One tweeted: “Can someone explain @Ryanair’s new cabin baggage policy because it makes no sense.
“Am I actually having to pay £24 on top of flights to bring a small case on board?”
Another asked: “Can you tell me if I can or can’t take free check bag luggage?”
Currently, Ryanair is one of the few airlines in the UK not to offer any free suitcases in the cabin for free.
EasyJet currently offers one hand luggage sized item with unlimited weight. British Airways allow two bags which weigh up to 23kg onboard for free.
Recent hand luggage changes
Wizz Air
- In June, the Hungarian airline brought in new rules for hand luggage suitcases.
- Passengers who want to have their suitcase in the cabin would have to purchase priority boarding.
Ryanair
- In January, the airline announced passengers travelling with a basic fare ticket would no longer be allowed to take hand luggage into the cabin free of charge. It would, however, be put in the hold for free when boarding.
- Earlier this month, they announced the new change that no free hand luggage was on offer any more.
Air Canada
- The Canadian airline has recently announced changes to the checked luggage allowance for the first time since 2014.
- Checked baggage will now increase from $ 25 (£19) to $ 30 (£23), and a second bag will increase from $ 30 (£23) to $ 50 (£38).
