Ryanair will pay staff more to catch oversized cabin bags — what travellers need to know
From November, Ryanair will raise bonuses for staff who catch oversized cabin bags. Here’s what changes, the fees, and tips to avoid a gate charge.
At a glance
- What’s new: Bonus per oversized bag rises from €1.50 → €2.50; the €80/month cap is scrapped. Starts in November.
- Free under-seat item: 40 × 30 × 20 cm (since July 2025).
- Gate fee risk: Oversized bags taken at the gate can cost up to £/€75 to go in the hold.
- How many get fined: Ryanair says <0.1% of passengers (~200k/yr).
What exactly is changing?
Ryanair will increase the incentive it pays gate/ground staff for each passenger caught with an oversized cabin bag from €1.50 to €2.50 per bag and remove the €80 monthly cap. The airline says the move keeps boarding fast and “targets the tiny minority” breaking the rules. The change is due to take effect from November (the start of the aviation winter season).
Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary claims 99.9% of passengers comply and that the policy is about speeding up turnarounds—not squeezing most customers.
What counts as “oversized” on Ryanair?
As of July 2025, your free under-seat personal item can be 40 × 30 × 20 cm. Anything larger risks measurement at the gate. If you need more space, buy Priority & 2 Cabin Bags to bring a second, larger carry-on (10 kg, 55 × 40 × 20 cm) in the overhead locker.
How much could you pay at the gate?
If staff decide your bag is oversize at boarding, it can be taken to the hold for a gate fee up to about £/€75 (varies by route/currency). Adding the larger carry-on in advance is much cheaper than paying at the gate.
Why is Ryanair doing this?
Ryanair argues that stricter, incentivised enforcement keeps boarding moving and fares low by reducing delays and overhead bin congestion. The airline says fewer passengers are breaking the rules, but it wants staff to keep checking—hence the higher per-bag bonus and no monthly cap.
Traveller tips to avoid a surprise fee
- Measure your bag: Aim for ≤ 40 × 30 × 20 cm for the free under-seat item. Double-check depth!
- If in doubt, buy Priority: Priority & 2 Cabin Bags lets you carry the free small item plus a 10 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) cabin bag. Buying this before travel is far cheaper than any gate penalty.
- Pack flat & compress: Soft backpacks fit sizers more easily than hard cases.
- Use the sizer early: Check fit at security/airside—don’t wait until the gate queue.
- Weigh and de-bulge: Over-stuffed pockets can push you over size limits.
- Screenshots won’t save you: App screenshots or old rules won’t override current airport checks.
FAQs
When does the new bonus apply?
From November (the winter schedule). Expect more diligent checks from then.
Did Ryanair really make the free bag bigger?
Yes. In July 2025, the free “under-seat” item increased to 40 × 30 × 20 cm (about 24 L), offering a little more wiggle room than before.
What happens if my bag is slightly over?
That’s at the discretion of airport staff. If it doesn’t fit the sizer, they can charge a gate fee and send it to the hold.
How many people get charged?
Ryanair says under 0.1% of passengers, which is still around 200,000 people a year at its scale.
Source: Ryanair / Guardian / The Independent / The Times