Ryanair boss criticises ‘unimplementable’ proposal to allow two free cabin bags

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has criticised MEPs’ proposal that travellers should be allowed to bring two free items of cabin luggage onto an aircraft, describing the policy as “unimplementable”.

In June, members of the European parliament’s transport and tourism committee voted in favour of a proposed change to EU passenger rights that would bar airlines from charging for the second item of cabin luggage.

If the changes become law, travellers would be able to bring an under-seat bag as well as a small cabin bag – up to 7kg – without an additional fee.

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However, during Ryanair’s earnings call for the first quarter of 2026, O’Leary said: “The idea that everyone is entitled to two free bags on board is unimplementable – they don’t fit in the aircraft.”

He added: “There’s not room on largely full aircraft for one small carry-on bag and one large trolley bag.

“About 50% of the passengers can bring a trolley bag and we do that using the priority boarding service.

“Any rules that would alter that would be infringing EU rules guaranteeing the freedom of airlines to set pricing and policies, and we don’t believe that will happen. 

“I think it’s unlikely to play out but there’s clearly going to be some kind of negotiation between the parliament and the commission on passenger rights.”