A Ryanair company plane flying over the sky
On January 15, Ryanair put into operation its new restrictive baggage policy, which will not allow any carry-on suitcase to be brought into the cabin of the plane to those customers who have not contracted their "Priority Boarding". They will only be able to carry a small bag or backpack for their personal effects.
This measure responds to a request made by some clients for a long time: more space in the cabin. With full flights, it was very difficult for the last passengers who entered the plane to find a space for their suitcase because space within low cost airlines is very limited. Now, what is Ryanair 'Priority Boarding' and how can it be purchased?
The reasons for implementing the "Priority Boarding"
The Irish airline has justified this new travel policy by noting that it will speed up boarding the plane. In addition, it maintains that in return the price of checked bags has been reduced and the allowed size increased (since September, the weight of allowed checked baggage has increased from 15 to 20 kg for all suitcases. And the base rate for checking a suitcase. of 20 kg has decreased from 35 to 25 euros.) in order that more customers are encouraged to check in their luggage and thus reduce the number of passengers carrying two packages at the boarding gates.
Travelers who wish to continue carrying their hand luggage on board will have to hire the "Priority Boarding", a service that costs 5 euros each way (one euro more if paid after closing the flight reservation) and that it will allow access to the plane before those who have not hired it.
The airline has created two new boarding passes to clarify whether the passenger has boarding priority or must wait in line for those who travel without it and cannot carry their suitcase on board. Ryanair has also placed new baggage meters and new signals at the boarding gate.
The "Priority Boarding" is already included in the Family Plus, Plus and Flexi Plus rates, which is a supplement from 31 euros.
Ryanair and luggage size
The airline will continue to allow a small package to be shipped, but what do I understand by large or small? The big one is a carry-on suitcase (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) that will go to the hold if priority boarding is not paid, while the small one is a small bag or backpack (35cm x 20cm x 20cm) that can be carried in the cabin.
What are the most used hand luggage measurements in Spain?
- Vueling hand luggage measurements
The measurements that the company supports are 55x40x20 centimeters. They allow up to 10 kilos of weight and an accessory in the cabin. - Iberia hand luggage measurements
The measurements allowed by the Spanish airline are 56x45x25 centimeters and it does not establish a weight limit. It also allows a cabin accessory. - Air France hand luggage measurements
The French airline Air France sets luggage restrictions of 55x35x25, with a maximum of 12 kilos and an accessory in the cabin. - TAP Portugal hand luggage measurements
The measurements of hand luggage in the Portuguese airline are 55x40x20 centimeters and only eight kilos can weigh the suitcase.
What if the luggage weighs or measures more than what is allowed?
You will generally have to pay an extra fee for overweight or oversized checked luggage. Usually it is always cheaper to do it in advance online, so if you know that you are going to exceed the luggage limits, it is worth buying a few more kilos before going to the airport.
Excess baggage charges start at € 10 on low-cost airlines such as Norwegian Air. For other airlines, such as TAP Portugal or Air France, it is best to consult the baggage conditions they establish.
Tips for not exceeding the carry-on luggage limit
Last summer eDreams, the online travel agency, carried out a global survey of more than 2.000 Spanish travelers and more than 11.000 European users to analyze what customs they have when it comes to packing and their opinions on luggage restrictions
Regarding preparing luggage, these are some of the tricks that Spanish travelers use to avoid exceeding the limits of the airlines.
- Wear several layers of clothing on top (30%)
- Carrying the heaviest objects in your pockets (16%)
- Buy at Duty Free to get an extra bag (15%)
- Hide hand luggage under the coat (9%)
- Smile at control staff to turn a blind eye (6%)
- Store one suitcase inside another (5%)
- Wait at the end of the queue for the luggage to go in the hold of the plane at no cost (4%)