We're not sure what to think...
Ryanair prides itself on its budget flights to Europe, with its tagline being ‘Low fares. Made simple’.
When it was announced that the budget airline would be allowing passengers to take two carry-on items onboard, a bag for the overhead lockers as well as a handbag or rucksack, the love around Ryanair grew. And with the expensive luggage issue out of the way, we were all able to achieve low-cost travel - especially if we bypassed the extortionate onboard sandwiches.
It was devastating therefore when news broke earlier this year that our time was up, with the airline changing its hand luggage rules - and unsurprisingly not for the better.
The January policy for check-in bags seemed positive at first, with the focus being cheaper and bigger. The size of check-in luggage increased from 15kg to 20kg and the price actually went down from €35 to €25.
When it came to cabin bags however, it all went downhill, with new rules implemented at the beginning of the year.
‘Only customers who have purchased priority boarding, flexi plus, family plus or plus can bring both their bags on board,’ the airline announced. ‘Non priority customers can bring one small bag on board and put their normal bag in the hold at the boarding gate free of charge.’
They were quick to point out however that priority boarding only costs €5 at the time of boarding - or could be added for €6 up to one hour before the flight if you have the Ryanair app.
As any frequent flyers are aware, this led to too many customers checking in their bags at the gate, with even the airline's CEO Michael O'Leary admitting that it created 'a handling issue, particularly at peak periods.'
'There are many flights where we're now having to put 100, 120 gate bags free of charge into the hold,' he explained a while back. 'If that continues to build it's something we may have to look at again.'
Surprise, surprise, Ryanair might have to go back on its policy, but what is the current situation?
Well as of November 1st, there are some changes and all with the reducing the volume of free 2nd gate bags that are causing flight delays.
What is the Ryanair baggage policy?
Priority Customers: Two free carry-on bags
Non-Priority Customers: One free (small) carry-on bag
New Ryanair baggage policy:
– Priority Boarding customers (currently 30%) can continue to bring 2 free carry-on bags (1 x 10kg wheelie bag and 1 small bag).
– Non-priority customers can only bring 1 free (small) carry-on bag from 1 Nov.
– If non-priority customers want to bring a 2nd bigger (wheelie) bag they can buy a lower cost 10kg check bag for €/£8 at time of booking (currently a 20kg bag costs €/£25). This 10kg wheelie bag must be checked in at the airport bag drop desk.
– All customers with checked bags can now switch from the €/£25 x20kg bag to the cheaper €/£8 x10kg checked bag.
'From November 2018, we are introducing a new lower cost 10kg checked bag and changing our carry-on bag policy to eliminate boarding/flight delays,' announced Ryanair's Kenny Jacobs. 'Priority Boarding customers will continue to enjoy two free carry-on bags. All other (non-priority) customers will be allowed one free (small) carry-on bag, and those who wish to check in a second bigger 10kg bag can do from €/£8 at the time of booking.'
He continued: 'This new policy will speed up the boarding and cut flight delays. 60% of customers will be unaffected by these changes and we expect that the other 40% will either choose to buy Priority Boarding or a 10kg check bag or will choose to travel with only one (free) small bag as 30% already do so today.'
Well that's that.
