Ryanair a “Victim of Its Own Niceness” as Travelers Flout Cabin Luggage Allowance

The carrier gives passengers as young as two a ten kilogram (22 pound) luggage allowance, but has spotted those with excess loads deploying unorthodox methods to dodge checked baggage fees.

When it comes to beating the hefty fees associated with checking bags on Ryanair, crafty passengers are coming up with new ways to get around forking out for the charges associated with stowing extra luggage in the hold. With the fees for checked luggage ranging anywhere from €10 ($11) to €60 ($70) per person, it’s conceivable that paying for this amenity could actually cost more than a passenger’s actual seat fare.

While these fees can quickly add up, the carrier maintains that it offers a rather generous cabin baggage allowance of ten kilograms (22 pounds) per person. Additionally, it also, the Guardian reports, allows passengers to travel with one small personal item.

But despite the in-cabin allowance, the carrier says that more and more passengers appear to be flouting its generosity. Commenting at the airline’s first quarter financial results press conference earlier this week, Neil Sorahan, Ryanair’s chief financial officer explained the situation, saying, “I’ve seen two-year-olds wheeling a bag up to the plane as people try to take advantage.”

The outlet reports that, like adults, a two-year-old child is entitled to bring ten kilograms of luggage plus a single personal item into the cabin with them.

Sorahan said that, with more and more passengers attempting to flout the rules pertaining to in-cabin luggage allowances, Ryanair was contemplating reviewing its baggage policies. “We’re very generous with our cabin baggage allowance; a ten kilogram case and a second small carry-on. If everyone does that there’s no issue. It’s the people coming with the kitchen sink that could change the policy.”

When asked to clarify if he believed that some travelers were taking advantage of the carrier, Sorahan added, “Some are […] The vast majority of people play by the rules but some don’t. Unfortunately some bring massive backpacks and things that don’t fit under the seat. We’ve been a little bit lax or nice – we are victims of our own niceness.”

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