Ryanair U-turns on baggage policy

Ryanair has changed its rules on baggage policy – a U-turn that has been prompted by what the budget airline has claimed as “abuse” of its relatively new two-bag allowance.

Many customers will now no longer be allowed to take two pieces of luggage Into the cabin.

Priority boarding

However, the allowance is still open to customers who choose to take out priority boarding.

Those flying without priority boarding will be offered to put their second bag in the hold free of charge.

The airline have also cut the cost of putting larger pieces of luggage into the hold from £35 to £25 in a bid to encourage more customers to check in more bags.

“Victim”

The changes will take place in November with the hope that the new rules will ease delays.

It follows claims that customers have been taking advantage of the two bag allowance by carrying items that more than exceeded the size limits.

The airline said earlier this year it was a “victim” of its own “niceness” after allowing customers to bring a second carry-on bag for free.

It said “abuse” of that policy was contributing to flight delays, with people taking on bags up to three times the permissible size.

Weight increase

With the changes announced this morning, Ryanair passengers were also told that their check-in allowance has increased to 20kg from 15kg.

Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, Kenny Jacobs, said: “These bag policy changes will cost Ryanair over €50m (£46m) per annum in reduced checked bag fees.

“However, we believe offering bigger bags at reduced fees will encourage more customers to consider checking-in a bag, which will reduce the high volume of customers we have with two carry-on bags at the boarding gates.”