To ask how Ryanair bag sizing actually works?

[hesyourunderstudy]

So I know the basics - they’re strict on their bag sizes, they will fine you if it’s a mm over.

I have two bags which, according to the dimensions, fit the small bag size for Ryanair. I have purchased both a small bag and a large carry on bag.

Can I just measure them both in the small bag sizer? The worry with the big bag sizer is one is a backpack that slumps forward when placed on the ground, and the other is a hold-all style bag which would need to be placed on its side to fit the large bag sizer, and it will then fall out of the sizer.

Anyone? Specifically from Bristol and Exeter airports if anyone has any experience!

I once had a Cabin Max bag which was made to fit but of course it slumps out fatter than the sizer, I was made to get it in the cage where surprise surprise it fitted. As long as the measurements are fine you will be OK. I am often picked to put my backpack in the cage as I make it look big due to my size I reckon. Can you swap your holdall or tie something over the top so your belongings don't fall everywhere!?

If it slumps forward can you put it in back to front?

It zips up but it’ll just be chaos, it’s so frustrating that they even do this!

I am not understanding your issue. What will be chaos?

Measure the bag - height, width and depth and make sure they don't exceed the Ryanair measurements. If I take a soft bag and it is wider at the bottom when stood up due to gravity, I just don't over stuff it so that I can jiggle the contents back to the original dimensions when asked.

They are unlikely to ask you to put them in the bag sizer unless they look borderline. If your cabin bag is well within the limits, they would be unlikely to ask you to check it in the cabin bag cage and if they do and it is clearly too big, you just keep hold of the handle so it doesn't fall out.

You are overthinking this.

Both bags fit the sizing. But they’re not bags that “stand” - the backpack slumps forward and the hold-all would have to stand on the side, which would a) mess it all up inside and b) it would probably fall over anyway.

I’m asking if I can put both in the small sizer

Flew on Ryanair Monday. A woman had three bags one of which was a fairly small crossbody bag. The staff stopped her at the gate and asked her to put one of the bags inside the other so that she had two. You can only have a “handbag” like the crossbody bag and one carry on bag which has to fit in the overhead locker. This was from Stansted

What bags have you paid for, what are the dimensions on the website and what are the dimes of the bags you want to take!

I believe if it’s the free hand luggage it needs to fit in the small sizer and if it’s paid hand luggage it needs to fit the larger sizer. As long as both fit the small sizer I can’t see the problem? I travelled Ryanair out of Stansted last year and use a cabin max travel hack back pack. It was full of stuff so was fine being turned on its side to measure. Staff didn’t ask me I just wanted to check. I think the only ones they were checking were ones that looked too big. I flew may half term so reasonably busy.

You’ll be fine, the bag fits the smaller measurer than what you’ve paid for

Also the sizer has rails on the front so your bag won’t fall out!

I fly with Ryanair a lot and have never had my bag measured. I bring a holdall which is quite big but its never full so can easily fit under the seat in front when squished which is what the measurement is based on.

I fly from both these airports with Ryanair, OP. The sizer is suitcase shaped but it has a frame so what you are doing is dropping your bag in the top. It won’t matter what shape your bag is if overall the dimensions fit. The smaller sizer looks alarmingly small but if your under seat bag is the right size, it will fit fine and then you just lift your bag out. They don’t ask everyone to use the sizer, it would take too long. In my experience they check wheeled cases more than rucksacks.

I use a small half moon shoulder bag for my passport and phone to save digging around in cases but I make sure I have space for it inside the case in case I’m asked to put it away.

I have an under seat case with removeable wheels, so I take the wheels off before I get to the gate and pocket them till I’m through. I ALWAYS get challenged when I use the case, DH uses a slightly larger rucksack and never does. 🤷‍♀️

As I have said. I have two bags that fit the small dimensions but have paid for both a small and a large.

Won’t be a problem, OP. You’re not obliged to fill the sizer.

Sounds like you’re fine OP. I’ve just travelled with a handbag and small beach bag. Together (one inside the other) they fit underseat.
A good hack with Ryanair is to board later if you’re in any way worried as they’re so keen to avoid delayed takeoff they only check the first passengers. By the end of the queue they really don’t care, they just want you onboard in your seat.

You will be fine. You hoist the smaller sized rucksack that fits in the small sizer on your back (and don't over pack it), and you get ready to put your holdall on it's side in the bigger sizer if asked (and it will be a lot smaller) although if it fits into the small sizer, then there really cannot be any complaint !. That aside, I think I can actually see the OP's potential issue here. Most people go on with 2 bags - a small sized one that fills the small sizer, and one that almost fits the big one. But you are only allowed two bags. If you go on with two small ones packed to the gills, then you have nowhere to go if one does not fit the sizer. Common sense would dictate that the small but bulgy bag in the big sizer should be acceptable as there is space each side, but common sense does not always happen at the gate !. You have two choices, you either buy a more flexible soft holdall that fits the bigger sizer and you have plenty of space in it, or, as an easy fix, take one of those big strong supermarket bags for life If they kick off about shape / size just empty all of your stuff from your "bigger bag" including the bag into it. It will then fit the big sizer easily, job done. Up to you what sort of bag you take on, and if it is a supermarket bag for life, then it is what it is ! By the way, i think you will actually be fine, they don't care so much about soft bags, it is the hard suitcases they are more draconian on.

You're worrying about nothing. They don't always check the bags and their main target is trolley cases that are bigger than the size limits.

They hardly ever check soft bags and as long as at least one is smaller than the small size you will be fine as your second bag is way smaller than the large cabin limit. It’s also OK to squash them in so don't overfill them.

They were checking soft bags at the gate at Stansted.