Budget airline Ryanair has issued a stark warning to millions of UK passengers, highlighting a simple but costly mistake made at the boarding gate. The carrier is urging travellers to rethink their packing strategy to avoid being slapped with a hefty £69 fee.
The common error? Placing your under-seat cabin bag in the overhead locker before take-off.
The £69 Boarding Gate Blunder
Many flyers, in a rush to secure overhead bin space, make the critical error of stowing their smaller, free bag in the overhead compartment. This seemingly innocent act is a breach of Ryanair's strict baggage policy.
The airline's crew are trained to identify this during their mandatory bag checks. If your smaller bag is found in the overhead locker, you will be charged a penalty fee to check it into the hold – a fee that can reach a staggering £69. This is significantly more expensive than pre-booking a 10kg hold bag online, which starts at just £7.99.
Ryanair's Official Advice: Pack Smart, Not Hard
To avoid this travel tax, Ryanair's advice is simple and clear. A spokesperson for the airline stated: "We advise all passengers to strictly follow our cabin bag policy... Passengers who have purchased priority boarding can bring two cabin bags on board, but must place their smaller bag under the seat in front of them."
The golden rule is: only the larger cabin bag (for priority passengers) is permitted in the overhead bin. Your smaller personal item must always remain by your feet.
How to Ensure a Fee-Free Flight
Follow this checklist to guarantee you won't be caught out:
- Know Your Allowance: Non-priority passengers get one small bag (40x20x25cm) that must fit under the seat.
- Priority Perk: Priority passengers get a second, larger bag (55x40x20cm) for the overhead locker.
- Stow Strategically: Always place your small bag under the seat in front of you first. Never put it in the overhead bin.
- Pre-Book if Needed: If you need more luggage, book a 10kg hold bag online in advance for the lowest price.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure your budget flight stays truly budget, saving your money for your destination instead of unexpected penalties.
