Can someone explain the Ryanair bag rule please?

[Harry354]

Flying on Ryanair and a bit confused by cabin bag rule. Been reading about priority boarding and tagging bags. What does this mean?

I don't know why people complain about them. They are cheap and handy and very clear about what the bag rules are, there is no desire to catch you out or trick you
Seriously I read it all, I took no handbag just a tiny case (like the size of a dictionary, definitely fits under the seat) I was rather proud of my packing so light for 3 days away but they took it away because it had solid sides. Not the end of the world but annoying to have no book to read on the flight and having to wait (bloody ages!) for baggage reclaim. I happily paid more to travel BA next time.

I think you have to be prepared to give your bag up on Ryanair and quickly pull out things like books, medication and anything valuable or delicate. Perhaps carry a fold up shopping bag for such eventualities.

OP, if you're going for more than 2 or 3 days perhaps pay for 1 or 2 cases for the hold? It makes getting through the airport and on and off the flight easier if you only have small bags as carry on. Also means you can take your own suncream, which is usually massively cheaper in the UK than overseas.

I don't really understand this Ryanair baggage rule for different reasons - now you have to pay them for priority boarding and taking a cabin bag sized case onto the plane or your bag goes in the hold, are Ryanair expecting that people won't check in larger bags anymore?

Using the airport baggage handlers, etc must cost them money and their strategy is one of overall cost leadership so it's possibly better and cheaper for them to charge for privilege of having a cabin bag and not paying for baggage handlers to load luggage.

But what happens if enough people on a flight pay for priority boarding and a bag and the overhead lockers fill up and even though you've paid, your bag ends up in the hold? They won't refund you because they'll say safety concerns override everything and it's tough.

If that happens enough then no one will pay to have a cabin bag and they'll end up having to put their prices up because of the time it takes them to put bags in hold, etc. Do you get what I mean?

But what happens if enough people on a flight pay for priority boarding and a bag and the overhead lockers fill up and even though you've paid, your bag ends up in the hold? They won't refund you because they'll say safety concerns override everything and it's tough

Only 90 people on any flight are allowed to buy priority, so if that is all gone you have to put your bag in the hold. It doesnt take hardly any time to load the bags though.

Ah - interesting. I didn't realised they'd capped it.

Thank you OP for reminding me never to fly Ryanair. If I was transport secretary, there would be either a ban on changing baggage rules for a period of time for all airlines, or some significant incentive not to do so.

I love when people say they will never fly Ryanair again. More cheap seats for me!

And you are welcome to them! Of course, the fewer seats they sell the fewer flights they will be able to sustain. Another reason for not flying with them is the cancellations and pilot dissatisfaction.

We paid £20 more not to fly with them this time around. Money well spent.

TheWinterofOurDiscountTentsMk2 again does not apply in my case. I have never given a £ to Mr O'Leary's company.

If you've never flown with Ryanair why would you have any opinion on what they are like to fly with?

if you get priority boarding, you can take your cabin luggage onto the plane. If you dont get priority boarding then your cabin luggage will be put in the hold, for free

They've apparently changed it again today.If you booked prior to September first you will get a free 10kg bag to go into hold for any trips after November first.
Doesn't look as if the new plan was thought through correctly.

As I understand it, from Nov 1st you either -

Purchase priority boarding, then you can take your wheelie on board
or
Do not purchase priority boarding, then you pay 8 quid to have your bag placed in the hold.

No more free carry ons is the simplest way to put it.

Sorry can't link cos it's on my booking but it's apparently changed.lf you book now you need priority booking to take a small case and handbag on board or you can book a 10kg check in bag.
If you booked prior to September 1st you get what your original booking/contract stated a small carry on bag and small carry on case

Crystal clear then.

Adult dd had to book a flight online with them a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't make head or tail of what she was supposed to do re baggage. So I read it all. I couldn't figure out what the hell it was all about either. either. The whole thing is deliberately ambiguous in my view, and calculated to trip up people who haven't flown with them before - and make you pay for something you might not even need.

Don't know how two 'either's got in there

Its not even slightly ambiguous, it is really clearly spelled out on their website and all over the internet. If you don't understand it thats not their fault, there is nothing there to trip you up.

I disagree - if you have never booked a flight online with them before it is confusing.

Demonbubblewrapper ok
As dd booked a couple of weeks ago is before September 1st.
If she booked hold luggage 20kg case to be put in hold 2 small cabin bags on the booking.
If she booked priority booking will be allowed 2 smallbags . All included.
If she did not book priority then 2 small bags one of which can be taken off at boarding and put in hold to retrieve at baggage reclaim.
They sent e mail earlier this week saying that for travel after November first then you needed to pay to take 2 bags you could only take a handbag sized bag but have now changed back do she can take a small size case but it must be checked in but no extra charge.
Clear as mud but I hope I've explained it ok

Yeah, until you start, you don't know what you don't know, if you see what I mean.