Increased Allowance for Free Cabin Bags
Ryanair has announced that it will soon increase the size limit for free carry-on baggage. The Irish budget airline plans to raise the maximum dimensions from 40 x 25 x 20 cm to 40 x 30 x 20 cm—allowing travelers an additional 5 cm in width and increasing volume from 20 to 24 liters. Although the change may seem modest, it marks a notable shift in the airline’s baggage policy and aligns it more closely with new European guidelines.
According to a Ryanair spokesperson, this adjustment will give passengers more space without incurring extra fees, making the airline’s personal item allowance more generous than the European minimum standard of 40 x 30 x 15 cm. “Ryanair will increase its personal bag dimensions to 40 x 30 x 20 cm, making our baggage policy more favorable than the EU baseline,” the company stated.
Implementation Timeline Still Unclear
While Ryanair confirmed the size increase, it did not provide a specific rollout date. The only detail offered was that the policy would be implemented “within the next few weeks.” Despite this, the airline made it clear that it remains opposed to a recent proposal from members of the European Parliament that would require all carriers to allow two free cabin bags.
A Strategic Move to Improve Public Perception?
Known for its low-cost flights—and its strict luggage rules—Ryanair has often faced criticism from passengers over its baggage policy. By expanding the allowed size of carry-on luggage, the airline may be attempting to soften its image and align more closely with consumer-friendly trends across Europe.
European airlines under the “Airlines for Europe” association recently agreed on a minimum standard for cabin baggage dimensions: 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Ryanair’s new allowance not only meets but slightly exceeds that benchmark, offering passengers more space without added costs.
Ongoing Debate on Cabin Bag Fees in the EU
On June 24, the European Parliament’s Transport Committee supported a proposal aimed at reforming baggage rules across the European Union. The draft reform seeks to guarantee passengers the right to carry two pieces of hand luggage for free: a small personal item and a larger bag weighing up to 7 kg, with total dimensions not exceeding 100 cm.
However, despite this vote, the proposal has not yet become law. As Euronews reported on July 4, the reform is still under negotiation and has not been approved by all 27 EU member states. For now, airlines are not legally required to remove extra charges for cabin bags. Discussions continue as part of a broader effort to revise the 2004 EU passenger rights regulation, which also covers compensation for flight delays.
What Travelers Should Expect
For the time being, Ryanair passengers can look forward to a small but meaningful change: a 20% increase in carry-on bag capacity, which could ease travel without affecting ticket prices. As for broader changes across Europe, travelers will have to wait for further developments as lawmakers, regulators, and airlines continue to negotiate the future of baggage rules in the EU.
