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Original poster

How strict is RyanAir on luggage SIZE?

127 replies

MrsBargain · 10/03/2023 16:04

Hey everyone.

Going away this summer to Portugal & I have paid for
1x 20kg suitcase for one person
Then
3x 10kg check in bags

My question is regarding the 10kg check in bags, I naively thought as long as they're below 10kg that will be fine. But I've done some digging and can see RyanAir restrict the size (55x40x20cm)

How strict are they on this sizing?

I was just looking at some "cabin" suitcases and even they are too big 😩

Note; these are check in bags, not ones we will have with us on the plane in the cabin

Thanks for reading Grin

OP posts:
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QuillBill · 10/03/2023 16:09

Incredibly.

alloalloallo · 10/03/2023 16:10

In my experience, they’re very strict.

Every time I’ve flown with them, they have a measuring guide and the bag has to easily fit in it - you have to slide it in with ease, you can’t jam it in there.

FiveHundredDucksWentOutOneDay · 10/03/2023 16:11

They make a LOT of money from charging people with oversized baggage...

Sometimes they don't check, but there'd never be a guarantee that you'd get away with it.

LittleBrenda · 10/03/2023 16:13

They make a LOT of money from charging people with oversized baggage...

Exactly. They charge for everything they can charge for as that's how they make their money. I'm not complaining, that's their business model and you can fly for a ridiculously low price.

HamFrancisco · 10/03/2023 16:17

Is there a reason why you're not combining the weight into one or two bigger bags? Wouldn't that be cheaper? The size you've described is tiny, that's under-seat type of size isn't it?

MrsDeltaB · 10/03/2023 16:18

We flew with them for the first time a couple weeks back, we paid extra for 1-20kg and then had 3-10kg for five of us. They are very tight in it!

We noticed the majority of people only had cabin size cases likely for this reason, although for us it made baggage claim much quicker!

We did go over, something like 20.8 but were ok but I'd still advise caution.

Plus the plane itself was grotty as!

QuillBill · 10/03/2023 16:21

The size you've described is tiny, that's under-seat type of size isn't it?

This is a good point. Those 10kg must be cabin bags surely.

mauvish · 10/03/2023 16:22

Those are the dimensions for the cabin bags. Are you sure they apply to check in bags? I can't see any mention of size for them.

help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017825498-10kg-Check-in-Bag

KnottyKnitting · 10/03/2023 16:26

They are very very strict about this. You have to make sure that the size included the wheels.

A bit of advice for others travelling with Ryan air. If you initially refuse the bag option when you book, but add it in later, it works out so much cheaper. I bought some flights for my DD in the past few weeks. Cabin bag was £52 return. I refused this and then it was offered a bit later in the process and total return cost for these bags was £34. It means you don't get the priority boarding but to be honest I have never quite seen the benefit of this!

mauvish · 10/03/2023 16:29

KnottyKnitting · 10/03/2023 16:26

They are very very strict about this. You have to make sure that the size included the wheels.

A bit of advice for others travelling with Ryan air. If you initially refuse the bag option when you book, but add it in later, it works out so much cheaper. I bought some flights for my DD in the past few weeks. Cabin bag was £52 return. I refused this and then it was offered a bit later in the process and total return cost for these bags was £34. It means you don't get the priority boarding but to be honest I have never quite seen the benefit of this!

I do this too - booked a flight yesterday and saved about £10 each way.You actually do still get priority boarding at the airport (not that there's much point!) but you don't get the option of choosing your seat until 24 hours before you fly.

Hedjwitch · 10/03/2023 16:30

Just back from RyanAir flight to Barcelona. I was worried my wheeled case would be too big for cabin but went through no problem. Guy next to me got stung for 45 quid for his backpack. It wasnt huge but it was fat so didnt fit in the rack thingy

Verylongtime · 10/03/2023 16:31

But Those measurements are for the cabin bags. They are tiny.

Simonjt · 10/03/2023 16:33

Very, we fly ryanair quite a lot, everyone puts their bags into some metal sizers, if they don’t fit you’re charged for either larger cabin baggage or hold baggage, depending on the size. Lots of sites now allow you to search luggage by airline.

Lovelydaytomorrow · 10/03/2023 16:35

Very much hit-and-miss depending on which airport, how busy, how late the plane is and who's checking in.

I've travelled from Liverpool and Manchester regularly with 2 very young kids, one correct sized bag, but waaay over weight (specialist equipment) and the right bag sizes and weighs for the kids. And sailed through whilst 2 people in front were pulled over for over-sized bags. So I'd definitely say size is much more important than weight. And I think they often wave me through with kids and a few bags I can clearly carry and roughly within size.

Long hold-alls tend to be the ones they check, because if you've not paid for any extra baggage, you need your one bag to fit under the seat in front.

But I remember tavelling from Standsed regularly and would often get size and weight checked. (although this was probably 10+ years ago).

I'd say anything you take over what is specified on your ticket then you are risking it not being accepted and paying money.

Also just realised I'm talking about bags taken on board at the gate and you said checked in, so yes, they'll definitely check the size and weight at the check-in desk

AllWorkYoPlait · 10/03/2023 16:37

This is from Ryanair. OPs dimensions are correct:

8.3.3 If you have paid for a 10kg Check-In Bag (weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm), you can only take one small item of carry-on baggage on the plane. You must deposit the 10kg Check-in Bag at the bag-drop desk before you go through security. When you arrive at your destination, you will collect the bag at the baggage belt. Our regulations on checked-in luggage apply accordingly. The relevant fee is set out in our table of fees.

AllWorkYoPlait · 10/03/2023 16:40

Expect them to be strict on everything. They're out to squeeze every last penny and any extras will cost more at the airport. Can you "upgrade" your bags to 20kg instead?

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 10/03/2023 16:41

You've misread the details I think. The wording is admittedly confusing.

What they are saying here is that everyone can bring a 10kg bag On BOARD within these sizes.

You can also pay to check in a LARGER bag up to 10kg. They do not specify an upper limit for that bag.

Hope that helps

How strict is RyanAir on luggage SIZE?
GMOOH2023 · 10/03/2023 16:46

From the OP: Note; these are check in bags, not ones we will have with us on the plane in the cabin

Most of the answers seem to be about cabin bags. They are, indeed, very strict about this. To take one onboard for free they must fit under the seat in front.

OP, can you clarify whether you are talking about cabin bags to take onto the plane yourself, or actual checked in suitcases.

Seems odd that you would have 1 x 20kg suitcase and 3 x 10kg additional bags checked in to the hold? I didn't think there was any size restriction for checked in cases - but then I only fly with a rucksack so I might be talking out of my arse!

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 10/03/2023 16:47

Ah no scratch that, I have just seen the post below. It's pretty ridiculous that they bury the 10kg check in bag dimensions in the small print when they could state them clearly in the bit that I screen shotted, and instead just say "larger".

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 10/03/2023 16:47

I meant the post from @AllWorkYoPlait

GMOOH2023 · 10/03/2023 16:52

Looking at those screen shots then they are definitely referring to cabin bags.

The use of the term "check in" is definitely confusing as they aren't referring to cases that are put in the hold.

Zola1 · 10/03/2023 16:53

I've only once had my bag measured by Ryanair and flown with them a few times. The time they checked I was travelling with a big group to a hen.
I suspect you'll be fine but you can buy the cabin sized bags online

GMOOH2023 · 10/03/2023 16:54

I definitely didn't mean to put definitely twice.

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 10/03/2023 17:06

So, this is interesting. I've just followed through the booking process. At no point in the process of selecting a 10kg check in bag does it state the maximum dimensions of such a bag. They have several chances to do ask and, indeed, they do give max dimensions at the same stage for the 20kg bag. (See screen shots).

The only place that the 10 kg bag size limit appears to be stated is in clause 8.3 of the General Conditions of Carriage. These do bind passengers as you agree to them by making the booking, but consumer law requires restrictive clauses to be brought to your attention before you click book.

There are 2 possible conclusions to draw here:

  1. Ryanair do not check the 10kg bag dimensions at check in, just the weight.
  1. Ryanair do check them, will charge you for exceeding them but you'd probably win if you challenged them in court. Nobody is likely to bother doing that though, especially as Ryanair are known for fighting everything as far as they can.

Practical advice- it sucks that the dimensions are not properly advised, but you'd Ben ether to stick to them.

How strict is RyanAir on luggage SIZE?
How strict is RyanAir on luggage SIZE?
How strict is RyanAir on luggage SIZE?
BertieBotts · 10/03/2023 17:11

It's because it used to be a cabin bag but they have "upgraded" it Hmm to be a checked in bag, but it's the same as the old cabin bag dimensions.

If you're dropping it at bag drop before going through security, they won't be Ryanair staff, they will be airport staff so they won't measure it.

If you're taking it all the way to the plane gate they will get you to put it into the measuring cage thingy and therefore the dimensions are important.