Ryanair now charging customers for hand luggage

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Flying with Ryanair continues to be a challenge with another change to baggage allowances, designed to thwart otherwise street-smart customers with its terms and conditions.

The Irish airline is now charging €6 for non-priority boarding customers carrying hand luggage on board. Ryanair will only allow a maximum of 95 (out of 189 potential passengers per plane) to buy priority boarding. Once this is sold out, customers will have to check-in their bag in at security, at a cost of €20 or €25.

The latest change came into force on November 1st and hits non-priority passengers who can take a small personal bag on board, but if they wish to bring a second larger 'wheelie bag' (10kg weight) must now purchase a 10kg Check-in Bag.

Ryanair's website explains:

SMALL BAG

All passengers are entitled to bring 1 small personal bag on board which must fit under the seat in front of you (40cm x 20cm x 25cm). Examples include, handbag, laptop bag and small backpack.
10kg CHECK-IN BAG

Non-priority customers who wish to bring a second larger wheelie bag (10kg weight) must purchase the 10kg Check-in Bag.

COST

The 10kg Check-in Bag costs €/£8 if purchased during the initial flight booking, or €/£10 if added online after booking via the Manage my Booking facility.

Non-priority customers who have not added a bag to their booking can still purchase a 10kg wheelie bag at the airport bag drop desk for €/£20 or €/£25 at the boarding gate.

Please be advised, If non-priority customers’ 1 free small bag doesn’t fit in the bag sizer then they will pay a gate bag fee of €/£25 and their bag will be tagged and placed in the aircraft hold and will be collected at the baggage belt in the destination.

BENEFITS

Main benefits of this new policy will be reduced flight delays and cheaper checked bag option. Pack more liquids into a 10kg checked wheelie bag. Walk to the boarding gate 'hands free.'

TIPS

The 10kg wheelie bag must be deposited at the airport bag drop desk prior to entering security.

The 10kg Check-in Bag can be purchased up to 40 minutes before the scheduled flight departure time, and is non-refundable.

OTHER INFO

Passengers with medical equipment can still bring these items on board free of charge subject to preclearance by our special assistance team.

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In fairness, these changes were announced in August: that priority customers are OK but non-priority customers will have to pay to carry baggage on board.

Yhe previous policy was that small suitcases and bads were free but the company claims that departures suffered disruption as up to 120 bags were checked in at the airport ahead of each flight. Ryanair responded by ending the free hold baggage offer.

This change, according to the cash-conscious airline, "is a way to reduce flight delays that have occurred due to complications related to the excess carry-on luggage that customers bring to the plane."

In Spain, the measure has been attacked by consumer protection associations, all of which have called the policy, 'illegal.

"It's an illegal price increase that can not be allowed," said Ruben Sanchez, a spokeswoman for FACUA, a Spanish consumer rights protection association.

The organisation claims that this new system is just a way for the airline to make more money. FACUA also pointed out that airlines can only charge for hand luggage, "for safety reasons, related to the weight or size of the object, according to the characteristics of the aircraft".

"This measure is the same as charging to sit on the plane as if it were a separate fare. It is the same because the suitcase is a fundamental necessity when traveling and that has to be satisfied without the need to pay extra," said the FACUA spokesman.

The Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency only now is examining Ryanair's new baggage policy to see if it complies with Spanish and European laws, despite having had months in which to do so.

In Portugal, the consumer association DECO considers that this measure "is not illegal, but that it raises concerns, in addition to contradicting a common industry practice."

DECO adds that it is unclear if the charge applies to all travellers from November 1st onwards, or to those who book a ticket from November 1st.

None of the other low-cost airlines have had the cheek to impose this charge, but where Ryanair goes, others have been known to follow.

Those still willing to take this on, should check this Ryanair link: HERE