Ryanair to increase free cabin bag size

You’ll soon be able to bring a bigger bag on Ryanair flights. The budget airline has announced it is increasing the size of its ‘small personal bag’ – the only item included in its basic fare – by 20%.

Currently, passengers can bring a handbag, laptop bag or backpack no larger than 40 x 25 x 20cm, or 20 litres, on all Ryanair flights for free. This will soon increase to 40 x 30 x 20cm (24 litres).

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: “This change will be implemented over the coming weeks, as our airport bag sizers are adjusted.”

The decision comes as European airlines agree to a standard minimum size for cabin bags across the continent. Many travellers have fallen foul of confusing and inconsistent policies at the gate, where they’ve faced unexpected charges for bags that don’t meet specific airline requirements.

Interestingly, Ryanair’s new size is slightly larger than the new standard dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15cm.

Other low-cost airlines already allow bags that exceed the new standard. For example, passengers flying with Wizz Air can bring a free 10kg underseat bag up to 40 x 30 x 20cm – the same as Ryanair’s new size. easyJet offers a larger bag at 45 x 36 x 20cm with a maximum weight of 10kg.

Jet2 and British Airways offer a smaller personal item inline with the new standard, as well as a larger cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25cm for free.

More changes to hand luggage allowances could soon follow. The EU is currently backing a proposal that would make two free cabin bags mandatory on all flights within the EU: a small personal item (40 x 30 x 15cm) and a second bag up to 100cm in total dimensions, weighing no more than 7kg. Discussions between EU member states are expected to begin this month.