Ryanair and Wizz Air launched new baggage policy

Ryanair and Wizz Air decided to charge their passengers for the hand luggage additionally. Both companies changed their fare policy – air passengers must pay priority charge if they want to take their baggage on board. Otherwise, passengers may only take a small bag which fits under the seat in front and their other up to 10 kg luggage must be checked in.

Those passengers who paid for priority boarding £6/€6 will be able to take a small bag (40x20x25cm) which fits under the seat in front and up to 10 kg suitcase (55x40x20cm) in the aircraft cabin. However, passengers who don’t pay priority boarding will have to pay £8/€8 for their checked in up to 10 kg baggage and will be allowed to take only a small bag (40x20x25cm) under the seat in front. Sadly, this up to 10 kg suitcase for non priority passengers will have to be checked in at the bag drop.

Flight operator Ryanair claims the reason for these changes is to reduce flight delays, which appeared because of baggage procedures. Ryanair airplanes have room for only about 90 suitcases in cabin, much fewer than the 189 passengers it can take. Therefore there is not enough space for everyone’s baggage.

Similarly Wiz Air charges for priority boarding (£7/€7) with possibility to take two pieces of luggage on board: 1 bag (40x30x20cm) under the seat in front and 1 suitcase (55x40x23cm). Non priority passengers are allowed to take only one bag (40x30x20cm) under the seat in front into aircraft cabin.

Ryanair changed its rules already second time this year. Sadly, there might appear more changes in charge policy as many airlines are facing financial problems, some of them are related to huge amounts of air passenger compensations for delayed, cancelled or overbooked flights. If you experienced flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding in the past 3 years (in some countries the time limit is bigger – it might be even 10 years), you may be entitled to up €600 flight compensation. You may check your compensation amount with our Flight Compensation Calculator.

Italy’s antitrust watchdog suspended Ryanair’s and Wiz Air’s new luggage charges in Italy. You may read more information in our article “Italy’s competition watchdog suspended Ryanair’s and Wiz Air’s new luggage charges”.