Ryanair’s new baggage policy comes into force today, meaning passengers who want to take anything more than a small bag on board must pay.
Free cabin baggage allowance on Ryanair flights will be reduced by two-thirds to nothing bigger than a handbag or laptop case – unless passengers pay an extra £6 for priority boarding.
Non-priority customers must pay £8 for 10kg hand luggage and leave them at bag drop, or face a £25 charge at the gate.
Those paying extra for priority boarding can continue to bring two free carry-on bags. They airline claims half of passengers will take this option.
Ryanair says the changes – the second this year – are aimed at reducing flight delays.
However, Adam Ewart, CEO of door-to-door luggage delivery service Send My Bag, criticised the latest change as a “rip-off” being passed off in the name off efficiency.
“Travellers can now only take one ‘small personal bag’ and wedge it under the seat in front, otherwise they risk high on-the-day prices for it to be stored in the hold,” he said.
“Wheelie bags will attract a fee no matter how they are transported. As an airline that often charges as little as £10 for a ticket, this change will impact customers dramatically.
“The goal-posts keep changing and carriers have a tendency to copy each other’s policies – Wizz Air has already jumped on this new pricing bandwagon.”
He added: “Ryanair must take a step back and consider being more transparent about the real cost of flying, as well as addressing customer service failings or risk a further drop in profits and shares.
“Customers are becoming increasingly aware of their tricks.
“If you’re flying after November 1, you will have to pay for anything other than a small handbag or back-pack that fits under your seat. Triple check the small-print of luggage policies.”
Gerald Khoo, an analyst at Liberum, told the BBC that Ryanair aircraft have room for about 90 wheelie suitcases, considerably fewer than the 189 passengers they can carry.
As the airline’s flights are on average 95% full, there is not enough space for everyone’s carry-on luggage.
“They are effectively rationing scarce capacity and saying if you want that space in the cabin, then you have to pay for it,” Khoo said.
Ryanair passengers have been allowed to take one small bag on board and one wheelie bag free of charge since January.
However, that often required up to 120 larger bags to be tagged at the gate and put in the hold, delaying departures.
Larger checked-in luggage will still cost £25 per bag under the new rules.
The small bag that non-priority passengers can take on board is now 40% larger than previously allowed at 40x20x25cm but it must fit under the seat in front.
Ryanair has outlined the new policy on its website, saying:
“Please be advised, if non-priority customers’ one free small bag doesn’t fit in the bag sizer then they will pay a gate bag fee of €/£25 and their bag will be tagged and placed in the aircraft hold and will be collected at the baggage belt in the destination.
“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 10kg wheelie bag must be deposited at the airport bag drop desk prior to entering security.
“The 10kg check-in bag can be purchased up to 40 minutes before the scheduled flight departure time, and is non-refundable.”
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