More space under the seat – Ryanair increases free baggage by 20%
Ryanair is the first to respond to the EU initiative, and already in July, a bag 5 cm wider will fit under the seat — at no extra charge to passengers.
Photo: Aurelijus Valeiša, CC BY 2.0
Low-cost carrier Ryanair has announced that in the coming weeks it will increase the free cabin baggage allowance: a bag placed under the seat may now measure up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm instead of the previous 40 × 25 × 20 cm.
According to Sky News, the volume increases by 20% — to 24 liters — allowing passengers to take an extra set of clothes at no additional cost.
The airline is already adjusting its gate bag sizers and continues to enforce penalties for oversize baggage — £60 at the gate or £75 if checked in at the counter.
The change is linked to a European Parliament vote on July 3, which approved a draft regulation establishing uniform dimensions for free cabin baggage on all EU flights.
The Connexion reports that the regulation guarantees the right to carry one personal item measuring 40 × 30 × 15 cm and an additional item weighing up to 7 kg, though it will only come into force once 55% of EU member states approve it.
The Airlines for Europe association stated that its members, including easyJet and Wizz Air, will reconfigure their “sizers” by the end of the 2025 summer season.
The Guardian writes that analysts estimate Ryanair could lose up to €150 million in annual revenue from paid cabin baggage, but the airline expects to offset losses through increased load factors and customer loyalty.
Earlier it was reported that due to a strong storm, a Ryanair passenger plane was forced to change its route and land at a different airport in Germany, as landing in Munich proved impossible.
During the flight through a turbulence zone, nine people were injured.