Ryanair is set to increase the size allowance for its free 'personal item' underseat bag from September, but the airline is simultaneously ramping up enforcement against oversized luggage. The new dimensions will be 40 x 30 x 20 cm, up from the current 40 x 20 x 25 cm, adding four litres of capacity—roughly the size of two four-pint milk bottles.
However, the change comes as Ryanair boosts incentives for staff to catch passengers breaching baggage rules. The reward per bag caught has increased from €1.50 (£1.30) to €2.50 (£2.25), and the previous monthly cap of €80 (£69) has been removed. This means an employee catching just two bags per day could earn an extra £139.50 per month.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary told The Independent that 99.9% of passengers comply with bag rules, but the airline aims to eliminate the 0.1% who do not. 'We need to get rid of those big bags. Everybody has to play by the rules,' he said. O’Leary added that stricter enforcement leads to faster boarding and more efficient turnarounds, allowing the airline to keep fares low.
The size increase is a response to a recent EU ruling that mandates minimum dimensions for free carry-on luggage. Ryanair's current personal bag allowance was the smallest among major UK airlines. The airline stated that its new allowance will now exceed the EU standard.
Despite the relaxation, the rules for overhead locker bags and checked luggage remain unchanged, and passengers must still pay for those. Ryanair encourages travellers to measure their bags carefully before flying to avoid penalties.
