Ryanair accused of halving cabin bag dimensions as people see if their luggage will fit

Several airlines have been accused of halving the size of luggage allowances over the last six years. Holidaymakers have been warned in a new BBC investigation that major carriers like Ryanair have squeezed the dimensions.

Travel experts claimed that the reduced sizes may result in passengers being asked to pay extra for larger carry-on bags.

Ryanair was asked to respond.

The size survey does not include an analysis of carry-on luggage at Aer Lingus. The former State airline has a current 10kg cabin bag limit of 55cm (21.5 inches) x 40cm (15.5in) x 24cm (9.5in) on its international routes.

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It is claimed by the BBC that the likes of Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air – which all operate in Ireland - have halved the dimensions of hand luggage which included in cheapest fares since 2018. Their probe claimed that Ryanair has overseen the most drastic reduction.

The BBC’s analysis found that the maximum volume of a free cabin bag has shrunk by 55% from 55 x 40 x 20cm in 2018 to just 40 x 20 x 25cm in 2024. Researchers believe that this makes Ryanair's current free carry-on allowance the smallest among the major airlines surveyed.

Another airline easyJet, which flies out of Belfast, previously allowed passengers a free carry-on of 56 x 45 x 25cm. But the permitted size is now 45 x 36 x 20cm.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: “easyJet offers some of the most generous bag size and weight limits in the industry.”

Wizz Air has reduced its free hand luggage allowance from 55 x 40 x 23cm down to 40 x 30 x 20cm, according to the survey.

A review of current cabin bag allowances reveals just how shrunk down suitcase sizes have become:

Ryanair - 40cm x 25cm x 20cm Aer Lingus - 55cm x 40cm x 24cm British Airways - 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (including handles and wheels) easyJet - 56cm x 45cm x 25cm Jet2 - 56cm x 45cm x 25cm TUI - 55cm x 40cm x 20cm Virgin Atlantic - 56cm x 36cm x 23cm WizzAir - 40 x 30 x 20cm

Travel Supermarket spokesperson Emma Coulthurst said: "The reduced allowances mean many common carry-on bags that would have been fine just a few years ago are now too large to bring on board without paying extra fees.

"Passengers really have to double check the specific size limits for the airline they're flying, rather than assume their usual cabin bag will be accepted."

She added: "I'd recommend checking the dimensions at home with a tape measure, not just relying on the airline's frames at the airport."

Aviation expert John Strickland said: "Carriers are constantly seeking new ways to generate more profits. Reducing the free hand luggage allowance is an easy way for them to do that.”

He added: “It puts pressure on passengers to pay extra to bring larger bags on board, which can be a significant revenue stream for the airlines."

Which? Travel magazine editor Rory Boland said: "It has become incredibly frustrating trying to keep up with all the different hand luggage policies. Airlines are constantly changing the rules, making it hard for passengers to know what they can and can't bring on board without facing charges."

Consumer group Which? calculated that Ryanair generated over Stg£1.9 billion in so-called ancillary fees - which includes charges for cabin bags - in 2022.

Its editor Boland said: "People are going to show up with bags they've used for years, only to be told they're now too big and they have to pay a hefty fee. That's going to lead to a lot of arguments and delays."

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