Ryanair passengers will still be permitted to carry duty free airport purchases onboard despite the low-cost carrier implementing further changes to its hand luggage policy.

An announcement yesterday means some passengers will now no longer able to take a small suitcase onboard or store it in the hold without being charged.

Currently, non-priority customers are afforded one piece of small cabin baggage and can store a second bag in the hold at no extra cost under changes that came in January.

But in a move to cut check bag fees and reduce the volume of second free gate bags causing delays, non-priority passengers are now permitted to bring only one small carry-on bag for free.

Those travelling with a second, large wheelie bag can either upgrade to priority boarding to bring it onboard, or pay €8/£8 (instead of paying €/£25 for a bag weighing 20kg) to store luggage weighing up to 10kg in the hold. These must be checked in at the airport bag-drop desk, says the airline.

POLICY EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER

However, there will be ‘no change’ in the rule allowing passengers to carry onboard one bag of airport shopping for free irrespective of their hand luggage allowance, the carrier confirmed to TRBusiness today.

As indicated, the changes, which are *effective from 1 November, do not impact priority customers, who can still carry on two free bags (one wheelie bag and one small bag).

“All customers can still bring their smaller bag into the cabin, and we’ve increased the size of this smaller bag by over 40% from 35 x 20 x 20cm (14,000 cm³) to 40 x 20 x 25cm (20,000 cm³),” a Ryanair Spokesperson told TRBusiness.

Ryanair claims that 60% of its customers will be unaffected by the bag policy alteration, as 30% already purchase priority boarding and 30% travel with one free (small) carry-on bag.

It expects that of the remaining 40% of non-priority passengers hit by the changes the majority will either switch to priority boarding, pay to check in a 10kg bag, or stick to the complimentary small bag allowance.

The ETRC, which welcomed Ryanair’s stance in exempting airport shopping in policy changes originally reported in September, says it will continue to monitor the situation carefully.

Kenny Jacobs, Chief Marketing Officer said in a statement: “From November 2018, we are introducing a new lower cost 10kg checked bag and changing our carry-onbag policy to eliminate boarding/flight delays. Priority boarding customers will continue to enjoy two free carry-on bags.

“All other (non-priority) customers will be allowed one free (small) carry-on bag, and those who wish to check in a second bigger 10kg bag can do from €/£8 at the time of booking.

“This new policy will speed up the boarding and cut flight delays. 60% of customers will be unaffected by these changes and we expect that the other 40% will either choose to buy Priority Boarding or a 10kg check bag or will choose to travel with only one (free) small bag as 30% already do so today.” 

*Policy applies to bookings made on or after 1 September. Non-priority customers who booked flights before this time for travel after 1 Nov can either add Priority Boarding at €/£8 (€/£6 if made at the time of booking) or a 10kg bag for €/£10 (€/£8 if made at the time of booking). Alternatively, they can cancel and receive a full refund.