Ryanair has introduced new reduced checked bag fees – and increased check-in bag sizes – to encourage more customers to check in bags and reduce the number of customers with two bags at the boarding gates.
The low-cost carrier claims too many customers are currently using the two free carry-on bags service.
With high load factors there is not enough overhead cabin space for this volume of carry-on bags, the carrier argues, which is causing boarding/flight delays.
To encourage more customers to check-in some bags and reduce the volume of carry-on bags, Ryanair has introduced bag policy changes on all flights.
From next Monday, the check-in bag allowance will be increased from 15 kilograms to 20 kilograms for all bags, while the standard check-in bag fee will be cut from to £25.
Only Priority Boarding customers – including Plus, Flexi Plus & Family Plus – will be allowed to bring two carry-on bags on the aircraft from next week.
All 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 spokesman, Kenny Jacobs, said: “We’re reminding our customers that from Monday, only Priority Boarding customers will be allowed to bring two carry-on bags on the aircraft.
“All other customers will be allowed to bring one smaller carry-on bag on board, while their second (bigger) wheelie bag will be placed in the hold (free of charge) at the boarding gate.
“This will speed up the boarding of flights and eliminate flight delays, alongside our new checked bag policy which offers our customers lower bag fees for a 33 per cent increase in their checked bag allowance.”