Ryanair changed their hand luggage rules in November 2018 and severely cut the volume of baggage passengers can bring on board. The amount you can bring on board all depends on how much you are willing to pay. According to the Ryanair website: “All passengers are entitled to bring one small personal bag on board.” It “must fit under the seat in front of you (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). Examples include a handbag, laptop bag and small backpack.”
This means the overall volume permitted for free has dropped by almost two-thirds from 58 litres to 20 litres.
However, no matter what passengers pay, they will always be entitled to this small personal bag.
If travellers want to bring more luggage they will need to pay for priority boarding. or purchase a plus, flexi or family ticket.
“Passengers who have purchased “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” or Plus/Flexi/Family ticket or connecting flight ticket can bring one additional 10kg bag on board,” states the Ryanair website.
This “must fit into the baggage sizer (not exceeding 10kg and dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 20cm).”
However, the prices offered by the Ryanair website can be misleading on certain flights.
According to the Ryanair site, “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” will cost “from £6” but when Express.co.uk went through the booking process for a flight from London Luton to Dublin, it actually cost £10.
A similar subtle price hike can also be seen on the third luggage offering by the airline.
This is for non-priority customers who wish to bring a second larger wheelie bag.
This can weigh no more than 10kg and must be checked-in at the airport bag drop desk prior to entering security.
The Ryanair site claims this nag will cost “from £8,” but when Express.co.uk went through the booking process, it cost £12.
Ryanair appears to explain this discrepancy with the alert “Pricing for these products will vary depending on availability.”
In line with this, return flights from Dublin to Luton, offered priority bags for just £6.
The airline has cautioned that passengers who bring a small bag to the gate which is too big to fit under the seat in front will be charged a fee of £25.
The same will apply if travellers attempt to bring an unpaid-for second bag to the gate.
Ryanair insists the new changes are to improve timekeeping rather than make more money.
