Ryanair's "philanthropy" has its limits. Three years ago, faced with an outpouring of negative feedback from passengers about the low-cost carrier - which for many is the only alternative for air travel from their city - the Irish carrier finally allowed one piece of cabin baggage (55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm) and one piece of accompanying hand baggage (35 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm), large enough to hold a computer, a book and a few accessories.
The low-cost airline believes that many of its delayed flights are due to baggage allowance abuses and too many cabin baggage items in the compartments.
A 180-degree turn, then: from 1 NovemberIn the event of a baggage claim, the carrier will only allow one piece of cabin baggage the size of the accompanying baggage (35 x 20 x 20). However, the following will be exempt Priority passengers who, for a fee of €5 to €6, will be able to continue to take their two cabin baggage items with them.
Le plus large items of hand luggage must be placed in the hold but the company specifies that it will be free of charge. Cabin baggage will be deposited in the boarding lounge. Passengers will collect their baggage on arrival in the baggage hall.
However, it's not all bad news. The carrier is easing the blow by lowering the price of an allowance for checked baggage. This will now be set at €25 instead of €35. What's more, Ryanair has announced that it will apply to baggage weighing up to 20 kg instead of the previous 15 kg. This new policy should cost the airline some 46 million pounds.
help us get back on schedule
According to Ryanair's head of marketing, Kenny JacobsIn August, 97% of flights were overloaded in the cabin, causing delays. "Lowering the baggage allowance should encourage our passengers to check their baggage in the hold and therefore help us get back on schedule" . The airline would still have to review the conditions for checking baggage in at the counter, which very often result in interminable queues, as at Beauvais for example... But this is the price we have to pay to allow planes to take off on time. And in the end, most passengers can feel like winners...
