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We’re so used to Ryanair charging for every little extra that this latest news might come as a surprise, but Europe’s biggest low-cost airline has just announced plans to expand its free cabin bag allowance “over the coming weeks.”

 

The Irish airline currently permits a free “personal bag” measuring 40 x 25 x 20cm, which provides 20 litres of storage space. However, following industry discussions about standardising cabin luggage dimensions across European carriers, Ryanair has chosen to increase one measurement from 25 to 30cm. The new dimensions will be 40 x 30 x 20cm, offering passengers 24 litres of capacity.

 

While it’s not a massive increase, it’s actually 20% more in real terms and higher than then the newly established European minimum bag size of 40 x 30 x 15cm. If Ryanair had simply matched this standard, passengers would have faced a 10% reduction in available space.

 

Instead, in a rare display of generosity, the airline opted to provide travellers with even more room than the minimum requirement. This decision ensures that passengers who already own bags designed for Ryanair's specifications can continue using them without needing to purchase new luggage.

 

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: “This change will be implemented over the coming weeks, as our airport bag sizers are adjusted.”

 

The push for standardisation comes from Airlines for Europe (A4E), a trade organisation that has been working with EU transport commissioner Adina Valean in Brussels to create a simpler travel experience.

The goal is to ensure that any passenger purchasing a bag within the 40 x 30 x 15cm dimensions can confidently bring it aboard any participating airline.

 

Ourania Georgoutsakou, the organisation’s managing director, said: “This will align A4E members with the decision of member states made last month and bring more clarity to passengers across Europe. From city-hoppers to family travellers, everyone will benefit from the same clear rule across our members’ networks.”

 

Most other major carriers already meet or exceed the new standardised dimensions and will maintain their current policies. British Airways, Jet2 and easyJet all currently allow cabin bags larger than the new baseline measurements.

 

A spokesperson for easyJet confirmed the dimensions will remain the same, at 45 x 36 x 20cm, giving a maximum volume of 32 litres.

 

Last week, European Parliament members voted to require all airlines to permit passengers two pieces of cabin baggage. However, Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air strongly oppose this proposal, arguing it would be impractical to implement.

 

These airlines believe that reaching consensus on minimum bag dimensions will help them persuade regulators to reconsider the two-bag requirement.

 

 

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