Finally! Ryanair to increase the size of underseat luggage
Good news for passengers! Ryanair has announced that it will increase the size of the free cabin bag allowed on its European flights, marking a significant change among low-cost airlines.
As Telex points out, Ryanair previously permitted only one bag measuring up to 40x25x20 centimetres to be brought on board free of charge, which passengers had to place under the seat in front of them. From now on, however,
the airline will gradually switch to a new size of 40x30x20 centimetres, adding 5 centimetres in width and giving passengers more space for their belongings.
This change is not only Ryanair’s own decision but also the result of a broader European airline collaboration. The Airlines for Europe (A4E), representing carriers including Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, is introducing new guidelines for under-seat cabin bag dimensions.
The aim is to harmonise rules so that passengers can more easily navigate different airlines’ policies. Ourania Georgoutsakou, CEO of A4E, explained that the change will allow passengers to pack an extra one or two T-shirts or a light jacket in the previously cramped space.
VG.hu says Ryanair’s move coincides with an EU initiative recently voted on by the European Parliament’s Transport Committee. The new regulation would allow passengers to carry a 40x30x15 centimetre bag and an additional cabin bag weighing up to 7 kilograms on board free of charge.
However, this rule has not yet come into effect, as it requires approval from at least 55% of EU member states. Ryanair and A4E’s changes therefore anticipate the official regulation but do not deviate significantly from it, instead adapting to forthcoming expectations.
Ryanair just fined
Interestingly, Ryanair was recently fined EUR 124 by a Spanish court over its strict enforcement of cabin bag rules. A passenger paid extra fees five times for a suitcase that slightly exceeded the previous size limit but could still fit on board. The court ruled that the suitcase did not compromise flight safety, and Ryanair was ordered to refund the fees.
Ryanair’s decision can also be seen as aligning with its competitors. Wizz Air has already allowed cabin bags of 40x30x20 centimetres, while easyJet permits even larger bags measuring 45x36x20 centimetres. This means that the three major low-cost airlines now have roughly the same conditions for basic fare passengers, although additional service fees may still vary.
Irish low-cost carrier doing well in terms of numbers
The size increase comes at a good time for Ryanair, which carried nearly 20 million passengers in June, maintaining a high load factor of 95%. The airline’s traffic has grown despite having to cancel over 800 flights due to the Israeli–Iranian conflict.
Overall, Ryanair’s cabin bag size increase is an important step in low-cost air travel, enhancing passenger convenience while preparing the airline for unified European regulations. For travellers, this means more flexibility and clarity regarding baggage rules, although it remains advisable to carefully review each airline’s detailed conditions.
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