Ryanair has announced today, that non-priority customers must put their second (larger) bag in the hold as from the 1st of November, this will be free of charge.

It also said that their will be new reduced checked bag fees – and increased check-in bag sizes, which Ryanair said is, “to encourage more customers to check in bags and reduce the number of customers with 2 bags at the boarding gates.”

According to the airline, “boarding and flight delays are being caused by too many customers availing of Ryanair’s improved 2 free carry-on bags service, and with high load factors (97% in August) there is not enough overhead cabin space for this volume of carry-on bags – 360 (182 customers x 2 bags) carry-on bags.”

Ryanair said that it will therefore introduce the following bag policy changes on all flights from 1st November next: “The check-in bag allowance will increase from 15kgs to 20kgs for all bags; The standard check-in bag fee will be cut from €/£35 to €/£25 for this 20kg bag.”

“Only Priority Boarding customers (including Plus, Flexi Plus & Family Plus) will be allowed to bring two carry-on bags on the aircraft.”

The airline pointed out that Priority Boarding can be purchased for €/£5 at the time of booking or added to a booking for €/£6 and is available up to one hour prior to scheduled departure.

It added that, “all other (i.e. non-priority) customers will only be allowed to bring one smaller carry-on bag on board the aircraft, while their second (bigger) wheelie bag must be placed in the hold (free of charge) at the boarding gate.”

Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said that, “these bag policy changes will cost Ryanair over €50m p.a. in reduced checked bag fees. However, we believe offering bigger bags at reduced fees will encourage more customers to consider checking-in a bag.

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