Ryanair Change In Bag Policy

So, you’ve booked a Ryanair flight. Congratulations! You’ve officially entered a relationship where you pay for the privilege of being mildly annoyed. Their latest plot twist? A change in bag policy. And if you’ve ever argued with a tape measure on an airport floor, you’ll want to hear this.

Here’s the headline: Ryanair is phasing out their old free second bag (the small one you used to shove under the seat). Starting soon, if you buy a standard “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” ticket, you’ll only be allowed one bag. Yes, that means no more sneaking a duffel bag full of laundry onto the plane for free.

The Great Bait-and-Switch

For years, Ryanair let you bring a small rucksack plus a larger carry-on. It was their way of saying, “We hate you, but here’s a crumb.” Now? They’re taking that crumb away. The new policy forces you to pay for a larger bag or stuff everything into one tiny 40x20x25cm space—about the size of a cat carrier for a very sad cat.

Think of it like this: Your old “free” bag was a loyal sidekick. Now Ryanair has fired your sidekick and handed you a single, flimsy backpack. You’ll have to leave behind that second pair of socks. Or worse, your dignity.

The Real Magic Trick

The change is designed to make you upgrade to “Priority & 2 Bags” even if you already had it. Previously, you bought that package and got two bags. Now, you’ll get one big bag and no small free one. You’re effectively paying for less. It’s like buying a pizza and discovering they removed two slices, but the box is the same size.

Surprising fact: Ryanair shrank their free bag allowance from 10kg to just 7kg a few years ago. They’re now squeezing that further into one single unit. By my math, they’re basically saying your personal items are now a luxury. Bring a phone charger? That’s a premium feature, mate.

Ryanair baggage allowance explained: What are the new rules and changes

What Actually Fits In The New Policy?

Let’s be honest: the new free bag is laughably small. It’s designed so that a laptop, a change of underwear, and a banana will fit—but only if you fold the banana. You can barely squeeze in a stuffed animal. I tested this: a medium-sized teddy bear got a stink-eye from the gate agent.

If you’re a woman, good luck. A standard handbag might work, but your average tote bag? Forget it. Ryanair’s sizer box is essentially a hostile interrogation device. They’ll make you shove your bag in, then laugh when the zipper pops.

One traveler reported fitting exactly one pair of jeans, a phone, and a travel pillow. He had to wear the jeans on the flight. Another genius packed a suitcase inside a larger suitcase—only to realize it wouldn’t fit in the sizer. The gate agent confiscated his life choices.

The “Clever” Workaround

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

Desperate fliers are now buying “personal item” bags from Amazon that claim to fit the sizer. Spoiler: they don’t. Ryanair’s team is trained to spot a bulge. I saw a woman smuggle a banana in her jacket pocket. The guard smiled and made her eat it before boarding.

You can still bring a small handbag or duty-free shopping bag—but only if it fits inside your main bag. So if you buy a giant Toblerone at the airport, you’ll have to eat it on the spot. Ryanair’s new slogan: “Your happiness is our overhead bin.”

The Bottom Line (It’s Always Pain)

Why did they do this? Money, obviously. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary probably wakes up each morning and thinks, “How can I make passengers pay for oxygen?” The bag change forces you to buy the “Priority” add-on for €6 to €24 extra. That’s pure profit.

Surprising fact: Ryanair made €4.2 billion in ancillary revenue in 2023 (bags, seats, printing your own boarding pass). This new policy will likely boost that to €4.5 billion. That’s enough to buy 45,000,000 angry airport sandwiches.

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

What should you do? Two things. First, measure your bag before you go. Second, accept that you are now a minimalist. Pack only your phone, wallet, and a light jacket. Leave the “extras” at home—like your sanity.

A Surprising Final Fact

Here’s the kicker: Ryanair’s bag policy change actually might save you time. With fewer bags, boarding will be faster. You’ll spend less time watching people cram suitcases into overhead bins. But you’ll spend more time crying over your one, lonely backpack.

One traveler summed it up perfectly: “Ryanair is like a bad relationship. You know it’s toxic, but it’s cheap.” So grab your tinier bag, pack half of what you need, and remember: the flight is short. The pain? That lasts forever.

Or, you know, just fly literally any other airline. But where’s the fun in that?