Ryanair under set backpack - How strictly are the rules genuinely applied?

Posted by xParesh@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 28 comments

I have a 40x20x25cm bag that I use on my Ryanair flights but I have noticed other people carrying noticeably larger backpacks. I'm slightly tempted to go for a larger backpack. My bag fits their criteria but I notice there is still plenty of room under the seat for a bigger bag.

I know the consensus is not to risk it but have any of you personally seen people being asked to check it in and pay for it or is it something very random and unusual?

There were so many over-sized backpacks on my flight last night. If people were routinely being stopped and other passengers saw that, then surely they would wisen up and bring something in line with regulations? It was the fact that I must have seen at least a dozen people with bags noticeably bigger than mine, that made me thing, maybe your bag would have to be very noticeably larger than the limit for them to stop you.

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Waynenov72@reddit

Article in the news only yesterday regarding this. A lady who's bag fit perfectly in the sizer was fined just because she had an extendable zip. Even though it wasn't being used. On the phone in regarding it on radio 2 numerous people said they were being fined despite their bags fitting with no chance of recourse. The general consensus was as if Ryanair had a target number of people they wanted to fine on each flight. People said they were fined despite travelling with the same bag previously when they had no issue.

Wapmen@reddit

It's an obvious consumers right violation, this should be filmed on video and shared as much as possible in such cases

PaintSniffer1@reddit

I travel with an osprey transporter 40L and been asked twice out of 30 flights to check the bag fits. enough taking stuff out to wear and squeezing always sorts it though

Jyeet7@reddit

I’ll also be traveling w a 40L backpack, I’m taking a smaller flight from Madrid airport. Is it likely for me to get away with it?

how is it shaped?

It’s the Arcteryx Konseal 40L

just looking at it I think it might be a bit deep? if it’s flexible you’ll be okay, you just want to be able to squeeze it into the bag testing thing if you are questioned.

if you are in the market for a new bag I would recommend my osprey or north face and rab do a similar bag.

If I do bring it, how much do you think I’ll be charged? It’s a one way flight and will take the ferry back

no idea on that one mate

Satsumaimo7@reddit

How do you know they haven't paid more to take a larger backpack when they'renot asked to check? Without seeing their ticket yourself you won't, no?

lucapal1@reddit

Depends on several things.. which airport, which instructions the management is giving at the time, down to the individual working at check-in.

I use Ryanair a lot.Usually, they don't check bags at all.

Sometimes, they single out those that look bigger and check them.If it doesn't fit in the cage, you have to pay extra.

Rarely they check every bag,or almost every bag on the flight.

That's like maybe 1 in 50 times,in my experience.

Most-Read2184@reddit

It's easy: you only catch the bird if you let hom the chance to violate the rules. In casecof 100% check they could f...k those who pay penalty. No business...

SensitiveDrink5721@reddit

Don't understand how system works? Penalties are part of business model

Ok. Reread your post…

Tainted-Archer@reddit

On the flip side at Edinburgh a month ago they checked literally every bag. It really depends on

Impossible_Basil1040@reddit

Depends on so many factors, including how big the pack looks on you. Generally a bit over the limit is fine, just make sure you could squeeze it into the sizer worst case.

Ravenmacabre89@reddit

as i've seen things , if the lugage is on your back , on you , it kinda doesn't matter how big it is . I've traveled with 60 L backpacks stuffed and there was no problem not even once . If you come with stuff that's on wheels , they will check if that shit fits in their silly little boxes

Schnuribus@reddit

I have been on flights where they checked everyone and I have been on flights where nothing was checked. I think it has sth to do if the flight is full or not and if they have extra time. I wouldn‘t risk it personally for 75€.

Kindly_Climate4567@reddit

It's completely random, but the risk is higher if you only pay for the basic fare.

snackhappynappy@reddit

It depends on the airport and time of day but yeah I have seen 3 different people in 1 queue being pulled out and made pay extra(double the price of that particular flight) A black bag while wearing a black jacket can make it appear smaller from a distance

vaiporcaralho@reddit

I’ve flown with them a lot and they’ve rarely checked my bag.

I came back from Warsaw after the eras tour and I only had hand luggage size case and I had an extra bag (the VIP tote) but they said nothing to me.

They did check the girl in front as her case did look oversized but I’ve rarely seen it happen.

Only times I’ve been checked is once coming home from Lisbon when I forgot to book my case on the way home and going from Dublin to Kerry (on a half empty flight) where they made me put my bag in the sizer.

It’s all on the crew at the time and if there’s a delay or not.

Son-Of-Sloth@reddit

I fly with them quite frequently, flew to Lisbon I think it was last year and they checked everyone's bag size at Manchester. Said they'd been instructed to, lots of people got charged. That is the only time it's happened with them though for me.

oldfartMikey@reddit

It's possible that some of the others you saw paid for priority which includes a bigger carry-on.

Staff checking bag size/weight is random, I've been on flights where they didn't seem to bother, I've also been on flights where they checked every suspiciously large bag and there was a queue of people waiting to pay the 60€ fine. Personally I make sure my bag is small enough, I might also be wearing a sweatshirt and heavy coat that happen to have large pockets which I might decant once I'm on-board.

irek19@reddit

Yes, I have seen quite a few times people have to pay.

Other times, people have boarded the plane with "carry-on bags" that could have another passanger inside the luggage 😂.

All on Ryanair.

feder297@reddit

It's very random. From my experience it's more likely that they don't check it

supergraeme@reddit

Sometimes they're looking, sometimes they're not. Could you stuff your backpack into the sizer thing?