Ryanair passengers will have to pay a charge for small carry-on suitcases from today

Ryanair passengers will now have to pay a fee if they bring a small suitcase onto a flight, as the airline introduces a new policy today.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Nov 2018, 11:37 BST
Updated 1st Nov 2018, 12:40 BST
Passengers will now have to pay a fee if they bring a small suitcase onto a flight following a new policy changePassengers will now have to pay a fee if they bring a small suitcase onto a flight following a new policy change
Passengers will now have to pay a fee if they bring a small suitcase onto a flight following a new policy change

Passengers who have not purchased priority boarding will only be permitted one small carry-on bag and not a wheelie suitcase.

Stricter policies

Passengers who pay for priority boarding will continue to be allowed to take both a personal bag and a small suitcase as hand baggage.

Passengers will now have to pay a fee if they bring a small suitcase onto a flight following a new policy changePassengers will now have to pay a fee if they bring a small suitcase onto a flight following a new policy change
Passengers will now have to pay a fee if they bring a small suitcase onto a flight following a new policy change
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Those who don't have priority booking and wish to bring a small suitcase on board will either have to purchase priority booking for a charge of £6, or add a 10kg checked bag to their booking from £8, which is dropped at the bag desk at check in.

Non priority passengers taking a small carry-on on board will continue to be able to do so free of charge, providing the bag fits under the seat in front.

Customers with baby bags and medical equipment will also still be able to take their items on board free of charge.

The airline said it expected many passengers would switch to the priority boarding service, as this would work out cheaper than paying for a small wheelie suitcase.

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Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said, “From November 2018, we are introducing a new lower cost 10kg checked bag and changing our carry-on bag policy to eliminate boarding and flight delays.

"Priority Boarding customers will continue to enjoy two free carry-on bags.

“All other (non-priority) customers will be allowed one free (small) carry-on bag, and those who wish to check in a second bigger 10kg bag can do from £8 at the time of booking. “

Carry-on bag size

The maximum size of a carry-on personal bag allowed on board has been increased by 40 per cent, with passengers now able to take on bags up to a size of 40cm x 25cm x 20cm.

Checking in a 25kg suitcase will continue to cost £25.

Tackling delays

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The airline has brought in the new policy as up to 120 bags were being tagged at boarding gates for each flight, resulting in significant delays to departures.

Ryanair claimed the changes have been brought in to help improve punctuality and speed up the boarding process, and are not a money-making move.

A statement on the airline’s website said, “Main benefits of this new policy will be reduced flight delays and cheaper checked bag option.

"Pack more liquids into a 10kg checked wheelie bag.

"Walk to the boarding gate hands free.”

The airline also said that 60 per cent of its customers would not be affected by the bag policy change, as nearly a third of travellers already purchase priority boarding.

Related topics:Ryanair