Ryanair Bag Policy November 2017

Let’s talk about the great 2017 Ryanair bag shuffle—because nothing says “budget travel” like a sudden, slightly chaotic policy change that sends the internet into a frenzy. Back in November 2017, the airline quietly announced that its famous two-bag allowance was getting a major makeover. Suddenly, your trusty little wheely suitcase was no longer your free carry-on buddy.

The headline? Ryanair scrapped the free second carry-on bag for all non-priority passengers. If you booked a standard fare, your only free bag was a tiny personal item—a handbag, a laptop bag, or a slim backpack that absolutely must fit under the seat in front of you. The big wheelie case? That was now checked luggage only, unless you coughed up for the Priority option.

The “Small Bag” Reality Check

What qualifies as a “small bag”? Ryanair’s official size limit (40cm x 20cm x 25cm) is famously stingy—think of a large handbag or a children’s school backpack. The internet exploded with memes of people trying to shove weekender duffels into measuring cages.

One viral tweet showed a traveler squeezing a tiny purse into the sizer with the caption: “Ryanair: Yes, that’s your entire wardrobe.” The joke stung because it was true. Practical tip: If you’re flying standard, wear your bulkiest jacket and stuff the pockets—it’s not pretty, but it works.

For the cost-conscious, this policy was a game-changer. A standard fare might have been €30, but adding Priority (which includes a larger cabin bag) cost an extra €5 to €12 at booking. Suddenly, that “cheap” flight needed a spreadsheet.

Priority: The New VIP for Peasants

Ryanair’s Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option became your golden ticket. It cost around €6 to €12 extra per person per flight, and it gifted you a standard wheelie suitcase (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) plus a small personal item. Worth it? Depends if you value your dignity more than a cup of airport coffee.

Here’s a cultural reference from 2017: remember when everyone was still talking about Game of Thrones? This policy felt a bit like the Night King arriving—unexpected, slightly terrifying, and forcing you to make a strategic choice. Do you bend the knee and pay for Priority, or do you become a minimalist backpack hero?

Ryanair Cabin Baggage Allowance Changes | What’s the New Limit?

The secret weapon was the “personal item” loophole. Many travelers found that a soft-sided duffel bag, when under-packed, could squeeze in. But if you arrived at the gate with a hard-shell suitcase, you faced the dreaded €25 gate-check fee—more than Priority would have cost. Ouch.

How to Beat the System (Legally)

First, measure your bag at home. Buy a fabric measuring tape (€2 on Amazon) and test your carry-on against the Ryanair sizer dimensions. If it’s even a centimeter too tall, you’re gambling. Second, wear a jacket with giant pockets—fill them with chargers, books, and snacks. It’s the aviation version of a magician’s sleeves.

Third, consider the “camel coat” hack. In November, it’s cold, so you can wear a chunky coat or a vest with multiple pockets. I once saw a woman board with a full change of heels, a scarf, and a tablet in her trench coat pockets. She looked like Mary Poppins if Mary Poppins had a budget airline ticket.

Fun fact: Ryanair made an estimated €1.5 billion from ancillary fees in 2017 alone. That’s not a typo—billion. Bag fees are the airline’s bread and butter, as essential as their famously cheerful cabin crew’s safety instructions.

Ryanair's New Bag Policy from Nov 2018 - YouTube

The Human Side: A Cautionary Tale

I remember a friend—let’s call her Sarah—flying from London to Barcelona in November 2017. She’d pre-bought a smart little wheelie case that she’d used for years. At the gate, a Ryanair staffer measured it and declared it 2cm too tall. Sarah had to pay €25 to gate-check it. She spent the flight fuming while her suitcase went below, and the connection was nearly missed. Rule of thumb: never assume “close enough” works with Ryanair.

The policy also affected family travel. Parents with kids suddenly needed to think about diaper bags, strollers, and toys. Ryanair allowed one extra baby bag, but the rest had to be priority. Many families ended up paying more for bags than for tickets. Life lesson: travel with children is already a logistical puzzle—Ryanair just added a Sudoku.

What the Experts Said

Travel bloggers and “packing influencers” (yes, that’s a real job) rushed to share ultra-light packing lists. One popular blog suggested using a collapsible daypack inside a larger personal item—so you could inflate your bag after security. Sneaky, but not officially allowed.

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement saying the new policy “must be clear and transparent at the time of booking.” In layman’s terms: you can complain, but good luck getting a refund from an airline that charges for seat selection.

Does Ryanair Weigh Cabin Bags at James McCulloch blog

The Silver Lining

On the bright side, this policy made travelers more intentional. Suddenly, every item in your bag had to earn its place. You became a curator of your own luggage. Did you really need three pairs of jeans for a weekend trip? No. But you did need that one perfect scarf that works as a blanket, a pillow, and a fashion statement.

Also, the rule sparked creativity. People started using packing cubes, compression bags, and even vacuum-sealed pouches. It was like the Martha Stewart of budget travel. A 2017 survey found that 40% of Ryanair passengers who chose the standard fare ended up wearing their heaviest clothes onto the plane, earning them the nickname “The Layer Tribe.”

The bottom line? By November 2017, Ryanair had turned bag-packing into a sport—part Tetris, part fashion show, part negotiation. You either paid for peace of mind or you played the game.

A Final Thought on Daily Life

In a way, this policy mirrors something bigger. Life often asks us to choose between extra comfort and extra cost—whether it’s a bigger bag, a faster train, or simply the decision to say “I’m fine” instead of “I need help.” The trick isn’t to avoid the choices; it’s to know what you’re willing to carry.

So next time you pack a bag, ask yourself: what’s essential? Sometimes the best travel advice isn’t about saving money. It’s about realizing that what you leave behind matters just as much as what you bring. And if all else fails, buy a bigger coat.