Ryanair have really ramped up charging people for bags that "don't fit"

parc

I noticed over the weekend that Ryanair have really stepped up charging people for standard backpacks. They stung quite a few people on our flight who had generic backpacks that could actually fit into the bag-size measuring stand. These backpacks would have no problem fitting under the seats.

They charged one guy who had a duffel bag that could easily be squeezed in.

I also know a couple of people that were charged for standard cases that had no problems in the past. It seems they have changed the bag-size measurement stand.

Related X thread: https://x.com/JohnButlerSport/status/1874092989079052635

NIMAN

Thanks for the heads up, bought the OH a "cabin sized" piece of luggage the other day, and to my naked eye, it appeared bigger than what I'd expect you'd be allowed on a flight. Must get the measuring tape out.

But wouldn't surprise me that this is only an issue with Ryanair at present. Went on holiday last summer and couldn't believe the size of cases people were being allowed to bring on board. Also didn't see anyone having their cases measured. That was with Aer Lingus tbf.

soverybored1878

But if they could easily fit into the stand, then why didn't the passenger just put it in the stand to prove a point? I don't get it.

But they are horrendous. Moving up and down the line like a drill sargent looking for something to nitpick about.

They are terrible for this at Liverpool airport and actually have security walking up and down with them. One of the attendants was incredibly rude to me as I was flying back to Dublin after my grandma died that afternoon. I was too numb to give anything back to her.

Manic Moran

I never understood the obsession with carry-on size or particularly weight in non-American airlines (I've not tried Asian or African, though).

I remember having to do a massive dump out of my carry-on in Cairns when changing planes, because the Australian weight limit was basically enough for my laptop, power supply, and nothing else. "Oh, it's because we use Boeing 737s here." "What, and Australian 737s have different carry-on weight capacity to 737s used by American airlines?"

As if these all weigh 10kg or less… (And there's enough space for one such case for every passenger)

T-Maxx

I don't understand the OP. A bag either fits or it doesn't. The max size is clearly stated too as well as the metal basket device to avoid any issue. I'm glad they're toughening up on idiots taking the pissh and banging their oversized cases against everything and everyone.

parc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123105359#Comment_123105359

Because the bags have to "slide in", you're not allowed to squash it in it seems (e.g. if you have loads of space in the bag, just like the guy with the duffel bag that was charged)

parc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123105416#Comment_123105416

See images below. Saw people with smaller bags being charged over the weekend.

pgj2015

I wonder do they pick on people who have an attitude? last time I flew the bag was bursting but they didnt charge me extra.

mulbot

Sizes for bags clearly given on website, all dimensions marked. Still see idiots trying to argue when their odd shaped, oversized bags won't fit into the bag sizer. Think it's the same type of people who think parking on double yellow lines with hazards on is OK.

orourkeda1

Bring a bag that fits.

Problem solved.

Strumms

probably and I’m only guessing here but if the flight is not that full they are unlikely to give a toss.

I have two small cases in my collection and both were for sale marketed as ‘cabin bag’ or cabin size’….so not like you need a measuring tape walking around Arnott’s or wherever. Ones a Timberland the other a Tripp. Slightly prefer the Tripp. But recommend both. Tripp is much newer, more lightweight and therefore easier for lifting into the overhead bin and out…Timberland is rugged as fûck though.

NIMAN

Delete

Fatnacho

I got charged €60 because my backpack wouldn’t slide in. She said because I stuffed it in, it didn’t meet the requirements. Same with the lad behind me.
I always wait until final call before getting in the queue. Might change that now as I assume they might have a quota to reach for additional baggage fees. I noticed they didn’t check as many at the start of the queue, maybe because they want to get people on as quickly as possible.
She basically forced us to pay as she was threatening to close the gate if we didn’t pay.

3DataModem

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123105395#Comment_123105395

Cairns' runway is very close to the minimum length for a max-laden 737. If you've ever flown Easyjet to the isle of man (for example) you'll see that one airline's limit is different to anothers.

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107241#Comment_123107241

I saw this happening last year at Ibiza airport coming home - a fella ahead of me in the queue had the tiniest little hard wheelie case I've ever seen, but he was made go over and put it onto the cage - the wheels were like about 2mm over the limit - it was absolutely miniscule - and a standoff ensued, holding the whole queue up - but in the end out came the credit card, and he paid up (i don't know how much).

There were no straps, there was no bulge, I'm fairly sure it would have fitted easily under a seat, never mind up above - but there was no budging the Ryanair fella at the boarding gate.

I was gobsmacked at the time but I'm hearing more and more stories like this lately.

VonLuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107241#Comment_123107241

For the people saying "just bring the right sized bag", this is the point. You can have the right sized bag which bulges slightly when it's full, but would go back to its right size if squeezed into a space. It's very sneaky to be charging for this. I wonder if there's anything in their T&C's that explicitly says you can't squeeze it in?

I've also heard of people being charged because their handles stick out of the bag measuring device!

happyoutscan

Unfortunately, there is a lack of common sense among passengers, can't give them an inch as there are plenty who are either too entitled or too stupid.

Read the small print, measure and weigh your luggage and away you go.

Don't give out if the above is too difficult for you.

Fatnacho

Fair enough rules are rules, technically I’d say my bag was maybe 2 inches too wide. As I said I, managed to squeeze it in but obviously they’ve become much stricter on it.
My main issue is the total arbitrary nature of it. If they are going to enforce it they should ask everyone in the queue to place their hand luggage in the measuring box rather than picking out a few random bags at the end of the queue.
Obviously, they won’t do that as it would delay their turnaround time. But it’s not fair to pick out 3 random passengers when they’ve already let other passengers through with bigger bags.

whelan2

The seem to go for lads with the gaa type kit bag mostly. They must have to get so many per flight

watchclocker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107199#Comment_123107199

Different airlines have different cabin bag size requirements, you wouldn't usually have to bring your measuring tape because the size would be given on the tag when buying the bag or details given online, it's gets a bit tricker though when the bag manufacturer doesn't include the wheels in their measurements and it won't fit in the sizer

Most websites that are selling cabin bags and carry on bags now list the airlines that accept their specific size

The other one to watch out for is Aer Lingus if you're flying to UK it's a much smaller bag that's allowed as they're usually prop planes with exception of Heathrow

I travel a lot and agree with OP that this is massively on the increase, and while i agree some people are dickheads that will push the rules beyond what's reasonable, ryanair are not playing fair a lot of the time

It's often cheaper to check a 10kg bag in with them than to carry it on so if I have to fly ryanair I do that but always check the return airport to make sure they've self service bag drop

HalloweenJack

Flew back from Dublin last week and there were picking out loads of people from the queue and making them pay for their bags. They were making a big show of it as well.

Fair enough, there were some chancers who had oversized or odd-shaped bags. My wife got caught out because of the wheels on the bottom of her case meant the case didn't fit properly into the cage. It's a suitcase advertised with the measurements for budget airlines. She's been flying with it for years without any bother.

And the flight wasn't even full so they couldn't trot out that line. One of the staff did try to convince my wife that when flying through Dublin you always have to check your hand luggage so my wife showed her the boarding pass from our last trip in November and that softened your one's cough. She switched with someone else but my wife got charged.

Ryanair are pricks and always have been but you can usually avoid hassle if you stick to their rules. This latest crackdown is needlessly pernickety and a money grab. I avoid Ryanair as much as possible and will be even more determined in that pursuit after this latest nonsense.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107294#Comment_123107294

If you bought a bag that meets the criteria and then it bulges it no longer meets the criteria.

The size of the bags allowed is clear on the website and every interaction you have with them and they say it has to fit easily into the sizer, so once you have to push or a bit sticks out it's on the passenger not the airline. Just because you got away with it for 200 other trips doesn't mean that they changed the rules when you get caught with a too big bag, they didn't enforce them the other times and you got lucky.

It's not like it's hard or expensive to get bags that meet the carry on size. So when you get charged for an oversized bag it's not the cabin staff meeting a quota it's because you were too miserable to buy a proper sized carry on bag or too miserable to pay for the hold if you really need the kitchen sink.

Nermal

For those saying the bag doesn't meet the criteria if it has to be 'squeezed' into the measuring device, where does it say this?

https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/help-centre/terms-and-conditions/termsandconditionsar_368204930

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107501#Comment_123107501

The trouble is, even if you have right on your side (and the man i saw getting caught definitely did, his tiny hard shell wheelie was about half the size of the max allowed), they've got control of the boarding gate so you pay or you don't fly, basically.

I wonder has anyone appealed this after the fact? I'm assuming you'd get nowhere with Ryanair, but is there an aviation ombudsman or something?

If they were just transparent and fair about it, I think everyone has got the hang of playing by whatever rules they have - but they're not being even-handed or fair in the implementation lately by the sounds of it.

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123105486#Comment_123105486

I could foresee cases where 'sliding in' vs 'squashing in' might become subjective (most of the way in, tiny bit sticking out etc.) and I can guarantee that they will be absolute pricks about it, trying to catch people out. Hate that they have such a monopoly on the market.

witchgirl26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107501#Comment_123107501

Well to be fair if you go here & look at the specific section on baggage, it does say that they give an extra 5cm on the measuring device so if you're still having to squeeze it in, it obviously is too big.

3.1 Carry-on baggage
Each passenger can take one small item of carry-on baggage (up to 40cm x 20cm x 25cm) on the plane with them. Our small bag sizers measure 42cm x 20cm x 30cm.

There is no carry-on baggage allowance for children under two who do not have their own seat reserved and will travel on an adult’s knee. However, the adult can carry a baby bag weighing up to 5kg as well as their own carry-on baggage.

I mean it's not like they don't put the accepted sizes everywhere on the website. The only non-standard size they allow is a child's Trunkii (or equivalent) suitcase as it does fit under the seat but is slightly outside the dimensions. That is called out however on the website for anyone looking about it due to so many questions being asked.

I've used the same carry-on bag and underseat bag for the past bout 8 years in my job & never had an issue with them not fitting when checked or that. But I have seen people take the absolute p with giant rucksacks as their "small" item.

Tull Considine

Don't understand the continuous berating of Ryanair...they have rules re cabin baggage which are clear.

Just abide by them and you will be OK!

thebiglad

I travel with a rucksack which is within the measurements - when I half fill it, as it lacks structure everything sinks to the bottom and it bulges a bit - therefore I'd have to straighten it up/press it to fit in the bag gauge - the bag could be 50% air - do I need to buy a hard side case for Ryanair to avoid the risk?

Personally, I hate Ryanair and, unless they are the only flying where I need to be I will avoid them but, when I do I try to travel light - this latest purge seems to be them pushing everyone to check in a bag full stop as anything taken the gate can be at risk.

Yes, I accept some folks turn up with obviously too big bags but, if a bag can be compressed into the gauge then surely it is within scope.

Guess the gate staff targets have got a little more lucrative or, the number of bags captured to kick in the bonus has been pushed out.

Dial Hard

Did they not get in trouble fairly recently for charging someone for a bag because it had one of those extendable lids (that she wasn't using) and they said the bag had the "potential" to be oversized???

Kat1170

Excellent.

Now if even half the ILL NEVER TRAVEL WITH THEM AGAIN crowd would stick to their words that would be fabulous.

Using they never caught me before so shouldn't be allowed catch me now as an attempt at an excuse, the mind boggles

Manic Moran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107271#Comment_123107271

It's a 10,500' runway. My local (San Antonio) is 8,500 on both runways. It's also a smidgen higher in altitude (not by much), and about as warm in temperature. Hell, Cuzco is under 1000ft longer than Cairns and is at 11,000ft altitude. Easyjet's carry-on limit is 15kg. Virgin Australia is 7kg.

Do you really think that Quantas will allow only up a to 7kg (Odd, how it matches Virgin) carry-on on a trans-pacific flight just because the runway at Wagga-Wagga isn't very long? Or is there a more pecuniary reason behind it? I go for Choice B.

Esse85

Wouldn't be surprised if staff are incentivised to catch people out.

Similar to the car clamping in Dublin city centre.

TenBeers

Are we still ok to bring the Cúl camp bags as carry on that will fit in to the stand

That's all I'm interested in 😵‍💫

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107199#Comment_123107199

Where the simple argument falls down is when you take into account that different airlines have different allowed dimensions. Some airlines, for example Aer Lingus, even have different allowances depending on the category of flight. "Regional" flights have smaller allowances

Edit: I see another poster pointed this out above.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123109854#Comment_123109854

they do but I can tell you that from Ryanair to all the other airlines I’ve used I’ve never had an issue with being queried or refused whatever cabin baggage I’ve had. Either the Timberland or Tripp cases..

Aer Lingus still use plenty of jets to UK destinations…London.. Heathrow & Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham…you just have to keep an eye out for the four digit flight number and avoid those if you don’t wanna be on the smaller regional aircraft.

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123107395#Comment_123107395

Hi Michael! /Waves

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123110127#Comment_123110127

My point was that if someone blindly just buy a bag advertised as "cabin sized" …… it might not meet the requirements for all airlines.

I've never been stung at the boarding gate but I'd put that down at least partially to luck. My carry on bag is the max size for US airlines but it is almost 9mm too large (in one dimension … a few cm to spare in each of the others) for Aer Lingus!

pgj2015

I wonder if you acted like you know the law would they back down? let on you are in the legal profession by throwing out some legal language, take pictures as well. I bet most of them would back down.

something like this video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFtbTcvo6Zs

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123111044#Comment_123111044

You will look like a knob. The terms and conditions of travel you agreed to stated the size of bags allowed and the penalties. If you start bull manure spreading around airports you'll soon learn about the customer service of security and police.

thebiglad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123109406#Comment_123109406

They are incentivised - they get a bonus per bag but, it only kicks in after x number of bags.This is why I believe Ryanair have either changed the bonus amount or, the number of bags required to start the bonus - they are certainly more motivated.

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123111044#Comment_123111044

They would just deny you boarding. They hold the power. Some people do take the piss with their bags but for others who are on the line and have prepared accordingly (or at least they think they have), then it's nothing more than a shakedown and you have no choice.

Quitelife

Targets for catching people with oversized bags or anything close to the size have been increased significantly according to a neighbour in the airport - staff get 2 Euro for every bag out of the 60 Euro - the other 58 goes to the shareholders/ senior management , it’s your donation to Senior management/ shareholders upgrading their Jeeps every year or pays for senior managements horses running in Cheltenham.

Pauliedragon

I travel with a half empty backpack. It needs a slight squeeze to get it in due to width at the bottom. I was close the being denied once so now I bite the bullet and cough up for priority it's worth it for the peace of mind.

blackbox

I travelled with Ryanair recently.

I had a hard bag for overhead and a good size soft bag as well as a coat.

No problems whatsoever.

Quitelife

https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2024/12/26/swissport-staff-receive-1-for-every-oversized-cabin-bag-they-take-from-passengers-at-gates-for-easyjet-flights/

Quitelife

https://ground.news/article/swissport-staff-receive-1-for-every-oversized-cabin-bag-they-take-from-passengers-at-gates-for-easyjet-flights

blackbox

Are they not supposed to make a profit?

Do you know that you can become a shareholder?

Kat1170

I hope they make it €30 for every oversized bag they catch.

Quitelife

Easy jet started in December giving staff £1 for every person they catch for oversized bag and Ryanair’s are following suit , sadly junior staff in airlines are paid so poorly it only takes £1 or 2 Euro in Ryanair’s case to incentivise the staff . It’s going to be a significant piece of revenue generated for the airlines in the short term until people stop bringing the bags on board eventually

Banzai600

i agree with some above, ive seen ppl getting on with oversized tent bags and 3 / 4 pcs of hand luggage, nuts.

however, i think with a back pack, there should be a "gimme" , as long as its not busting out. if the bag goes under the seat without issue i dont see the problem.

looking at flights for the year they aint cheap either, seem to be ramping up flight fares too.

parc

People defending Ryanair aren't really getting it. The point is they've stepped up unrealisable charges on standard sized bags that can easily fit under seats with lots of room to spare.

The thing is, you know they are doing this to squeeze the customer for every last cent. They are abusing their power, and charging customers extra based on technicalities - oh look your strap is sticking up by 2mm, that will will €75 thanks.

"The rules are clearly stated on the T&C, your bag is 2mm over the limit, pay up!"