Ryanair’s New Hand Luggage Policy: What You Need to Know
“It will begin to apply in the coming weeks.” This has been Ryanair’s response regarding the company’s new hand luggage policy . As a member of the Airlines For Europe Association , Ryanair is committed to implementing the agreement reached by its members to establish minimal measures for hand luggage, which will benefit passengers.
40 x 30 x 20 cm. These are the new dimensions for hand luggage that Ryanair will begin to apply shortly, as confirmed to Xataka. This new measure slightly expands the current dimensions of 40 x 25 x 20 cm , which are included with the company’s basic ticket. This change means passengers will be able to carry a slightly larger bag this summer.
According to BBC, this adjustment translates to an increase from a 20-liter backpack to a 24-liter capacity . Despite this expansion, the maximum weight limit for hand luggage will remain at 10 kg .
“In the coming weeks.” While the Irish airline has not specified an exact implementation date, they indicated, in response to questions from Xataka, that “this change will be implemented in the coming weeks, as the sizes at our airports are adjusted.”
This means that the new policy will only take effect once the airports have updated their size-checking containers at boarding gates. For now, passengers must continue to comply with the old standard known as the “Ryanair backpack.”
Why this change? The adjustment in Ryanair’s hand luggage dimensions is a result of the Airlines For Europe (A4E) association, which Ryanair is a part of, signing an agreement that sets minimum hand luggage dimensions at 40 x 30 x 15 cm . This prompted Ryanair to increase its width by five centimeters while simultaneously reducing height by the same amount. Ultimately, the Irish airline has opted to implement only the width change.
This decision can be interpreted as a gesture of goodwill towards the European Union , which is currently discussing the minimum hand luggage size allowed on continental flights .
So far, the European Union Council has approved the new requirement of 40 x 30 x 15 cm . However, for this measure to be fully implemented, the European Parliament must also support and ratify the agreement. Unfortunately, the parliamentary body has rejected it, leaving the status of the measure uncertain.
Current situation: Legally, current regulations remain unchanged. The European Union mandates that airlines must allow a handbag for transporting essentials, yet no specific size requirement is established. This has sparked legal disputes in Spain, yielding conflicting rulings in favor of either consumers or airlines based on the court.
Practically, those traveling with Ryanair will soon enjoy the convenience of a slightly wider backpack once the changes are enacted. However, it’s crucial to note that this alteration is minimal and still insufficient for many small “cabin suitcases.”
Is Ryanair alone in this? Not at all. Wizz Air , another airline affected by regulations in Spain, will also implement the new 40 x 30 x 20 cm size regulations. This was confirmed on their website, as they are also members of the Airlines for Europe (A4E) .
In conclusion, as consumers eagerly await the new dimensions for hand luggage, Ryanair’s timely adjustment reflects an ongoing dialogue between airlines and regulatory bodies. Travelers can look forward to a bit more freedom in packing, even if the increase is modest, but they must remain aware of ongoing legislative developments that could influence future policies.
Photo credits: Niels Baars and Erik McLean
In Xataka | In the war between Spain and Ryanair for hand luggage, the airline has found an unexpected ally: the European Union