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Ryanair's new bigger bag allowance is still smaller than Easyjet's. Alamy Stock Photo
carry on abroad
Ryanair is allowing bigger carry-on bags from today
But the budget airline will oppose an EU push to allow passengers bring second free small item in the cabin.
FROM TODAY, RYANAIR is increasing its free personal baggage allowance, which will grant passengers a few more t-shirts or underwear.
In July, the Irish airline announced that it would increase the size of its free personal baggage allowance and that this change would happen when airport bag sizers were adjusted.
In a statement this morning, Ryanair confirmed that it has completed the rollout of its bigger carry-on bag sizers at all its airports across Europe.
It means that from today, Ryanair passengers can now bring a free personal bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20cm.
The previous personal bag size was 40 x 25 x 20cm.
This 5cm increase means the new volume is 24 litres instead of 20 litres, allowing for a few more T-shirts or underwear.
This increase will bring Ryanair level with its low-budget rivals but it still lags some way behind EasyJet, which allows free personal baggage of 45 x 36 x 30cm.
Ryanair said its new allowance is 33% bigger than the EU standard free carry-on bag of 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
Free hand luggage?
But while the EU is pushing for personal baggage allowance with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm, transport MEPs also want passengers to be entitled to free hand luggage, with maximum dimensions of 100cm and 7kg.
Currently, Ryanair only permits customers one small personal item and all other bags must be paid for.
The option to add extra bags with Ryanair starts at €30 per flight, and €60 if done at the airport.
Ryanair is opposed to allowing a free 7kg bag in addition to a small personal item.
In a statement in May, Ryanair said: “If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers.”
In a statement today, Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer Dara Brady said that while the airline “hopes customers will enjoy these bigger, free carry-on bag sizes, any passenger who fails to comply with these new generous limits, will be required to pay the checked in bag fee at the boarding gate”.
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