Carry-on luggage limited to one small bag under new Ryanair policy

Ryanair's new baggage policy will come into effect tomorrow.

Priority boarding customers (including Plus, Flexi Plus & Family Plus) will be allowed to bring two carry-on bags on the aircraft.

All other customers will still be allowed two bags – but will only be allowed to bring one smaller carry-on bag on board, while their second (bigger) wheelie bag will be placed in the hold (free of charge) at the boarding gate.

From Monday, Ryanair customers will also be able to upgrade to Priority Boarding (allowing you to take on two bags) up to 30 minutes prior to scheduled flight departure time on the Ryanair app.

New signage and baggage sizers have been installed at the boarding gates to all of Ryanair’s flights.

Ryanair has already introduced new reduced checked bag fees (and increased check-in bag sizes) to encourage more customers to check in bags and reduce the number of customers with 2 bags at the boarding gates. Since September, the check-in bag allowance has increased from 15kg to 20kg for all bags, and the standard check-in bag fee has been cut from €/£35 to €/£25 for this 20kg bag.

Ryanair has also redesigned their boarding passes to show whether a customer should queue in the priority or non-priority queue.

Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs says that since announcing the new policy, they have received a “positive reception” from customers.

“This new policy is fair, will speed up boarding and will eliminate any risk of Ryanair flights being delayed because of too many bags being brought on board.

“We wish to reassure all customers that they can still enjoy our two free bag allowance, but that from Monday (15th January 2018), only Priority Boarding customers will be allowed to bring two carry-on bags on the aircraft. All other customers can bring one smaller carry-on bag on board, while their second (bigger) wheelie bag will be placed in the hold (free of charge) at the boarding gate.

“We have already cut our checked-in bag fee and increased the checked-bag size allowance which has also been welcomed by customers, particularly those who wish to travel through the airport without any baggage.”