Budget Travel - Ryanair: which carry-on's you've got away with ?

Each passenger (excluding infants) is permitted to carry one piece of cabin baggage on board (free of charge).It should weigh no more than 10kg and not exceed the maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

It's a budget airline and I'm a travel junkie, so I don't care what the pro's and con's are ... I booked my first cheapo flight with them and heck ... if they don't fly, I'm not losing much @:-)

Are they extremely strict with their carry-on policy or can you get away with some extra kilos/centimeters ?

Some people will probably tell you not to worry and that you can get away with anything.

I've heard they've become a lot stricter recently (I don't use them any more so that's second-hand)

Even before they had become stricter there were always spot checks and there would be no leniency if you got caught in one of their spot checks.

And remember it's STRICTLY one item. If you buy anything airside you can't carry it on unless it fits inside that ONE item. You can't even carry a book in your hand.

They have become more strict recently. As checked baggage fees have risen more people have attempted to take large bags into the cabin. At times there's been not enough space onboard to stow it all.

On the other hand, my perception is that it is sometimes seen to be more important to get everyone onboard, secure the cabin and push back than it is to hassle some passengers at the gate. Remember that for OLCI pax Ryanair only gets to see the luggage for the first time at the gate.

Although I've seen passengers told "It's okay this time, but don't do it again", I'd have thought that it's not worth the risk.

Enjoy your Ryanair flight! The detractors sometimes succeed in creating the impression that you'll have a miserable time but you'll fly on a newish aircraft and the chances are you'll arrive ontime (or even early!) with nothing untoward having happened.

And remember it's STRICTLY one item. If you buy anything airside you can't carry it on unless it fits inside that ONE item. You can't even carry a book in your hand.

Reminds me of an almost farcical situation I saw at LGW a couple weeks ago at a Ryanair gate. A gentleman of South Asian origin with a North American accent was boarding carrying an overcoat, a newspaper and a bottle of water. The staff stopped him and told him that he had THREE pieces of luggage and that he had to either consolidate or dispose of some items. He flipped out and pointed out a (white) child who was being allowed to board carrying a chocolate bar AND a stuffed animal. "Is it only because she's white?" etc... began the argument. I would have stayed to watch but I had my own flight to deal with, but the interpretation of the "ONE ITEM" rule is extremely variable.

Reminds me of an almost farcical situation I saw at LGW a couple weeks ago at a Ryanair gate. A gentleman of South Asian origin with a North American accent was boarding carrying an overcoat, a newspaper and a bottle of water. The staff stopped him and told him that he had THREE pieces of luggage and that he had to either consolidate or dispose of some items. He flipped out and pointed out a (white) child who was being allowed to board carrying a chocolate bar AND a stuffed animal. "Is it only because she's white?" etc... began the argument. I would have stayed to watch but I had my own flight to deal with, but the interpretation of the "ONE ITEM" rule is extremely variable.

Some of these ryanair horror stories scared myself and the people I was traveling with, but it turned out they could have cared less in Dublin Ireland about a month ago. People were boarding with all kinda stuff in addition to the 1 bag. Purses, shopping bags, coats, etc. Some people had quite a bit of stuff and shockingly nothing was said. The whole time before though I was freaking out telling my friends oh no why did you buy a soda you wont be able to take it on board, etc. They just thought I was insane, and of course I did look it when Ryanair cared less about it all.

Of course in general the whole Ryanair staff seemed about like zombies. They they did not care about much of anything period, they were barely alive, lol.

Besides the worry it was a great experience though. Got such a cheap flight (5 euro plus 10 euro more in fees) For that kinda price it was just amazing.
The plane landed on time and was as comfortable as any other plane.

Certainly the experiences are going to vary. You are going to have these stories where people are completely harassed, and other stories where it's just all too easy. Obviously the experiences are going to be different each time. I would just prepare for the worse (but not over worry) and hope for the best.

I carried on a Rick Steves bag full to the max and got away with it. That said, I hate Ryanair.

If you hate Ryanair don't fly with them. Simple.

I'm sure you won't be missed.

Are they extremely strict with their carry-on policy or can you get away with some extra kilos/centimeters ?

Do they measure and weigh your carry-on or is it just random picks that will be under scrutiny ?

I can imagine people with large heavy backpacks or rolling suitcases getting in trouble, while here in the US they would not (yet).

It's a budget airline and I'm a travel junkie, so I don't care what the pro's and con's are ... I booked my first cheapo flight with them and heck ... if they don't fly, I'm not losing much @:-)

This maybe true on an outward bound flight, but if Ryanair cancel a home bound flight you can be left seriously out of pocket :(

Whilst most other airlines will put you up in a hotel, provide refreshements, and find you another way back home if they cancel a flight, Ryanair have a habit of leaving you totally stranded, in some deserted airport in the middle of no where with almost no help whatsoever, where you are then forced to book your own expensive last minute alternate arrangements to get you home.

Ryanair will never refund these costs, no matter what the cause of the cancellation.

(By the way, I do sometimes fly Ryanair, but always in the knowledge that I could be left to fend for myself at any time at some cost.)

Do they measure and weigh your carry-on or is it just random picks that will be under scrutiny ?


They have staff at the gate who will roam up and down the line eyeballing bags so it's pretty much a judgement call on their part. One hop they had a gal posted right at the gate door sniping out bags that she deemed were too large. YMMV.

Seat64A: :rolleyes:

Seat64A: :rolleyes::confused:

They once let me carry a pen on a flight from Marseille to Bournemouth, but I'm pretty sure it was a freak incident. I'd certainly never been allowed anything that big before.

Hate them, wouldn't entertain the thought of flying woth them ever again.

On flights from Edinburgh they do INSIST that one bag means precisely that

And yes, they measured bags as well as they can now get £30 per oversize / overweight bag if gate checked

Recently flew from Venice to Stansted, and at check in they made everyone weigh their carry-on on the scales. Anything above 10.5kg they told passengers needed to repack, reorganise, etc.

Have had similar experiences in Berlin, but, in the UK they seem to be less picky.

Just my experience.