Ryanair hand luggage allowance - max. size and weight of cabin baggage

The leading European low-cost carrier Ryanair has welcomed the year of 2014 with a long-awaited reduction of luggage fees and relaxing its strict and controversial luggage policies.

Find below useful information on hand luggage onboard Ryanair aircrafts.

Ryanair hand luggage allowance - size of Ryanair cabin luggage
Due to cabin space limitations all airlines apply restrictions for cabin luggage, also referred to as hand luggage.

When flying with Ryanair, the maximum dimensions of luggage to be transported inside the cabin are: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm

The cabin trolley on a Ryanair flight can be maximum 55 cm long, 40 cm wide and 20 cm deep. Any soft bag within those max. Ryanair cabin luggage measurements can be carried on the plane.

It is important to remember that the height of a trolley suitcase is measured from the bottom of the wheels to the top, when the retractable handle is down. The width and depth include also any pocket the suitcase might have.

Please note that the above dimensions differ slightly from the standard hand baggage allowance defined by IATA (International Transport Association) at 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and used as guidelines by most luggage manufacturers.

Ryanair is known to be very inflexible about the size of allowed hand luggage. Even if you purchased a standard cabin trolley, any element of it ‘sticking out’ beyond any of the measurements defined by the airline, may disqualify for transport in the cabin. If in doubt, inquire at the Bag Drop desk at the airport before going through the security scan.

Hand luggage weight Ryanair
The weight of a cabin trolley is essential too when flying Ryanair. While most travellers prefer cabin trolley as they maximize the space and are more comfortable to carry, they are also considerably heavier than any soft bag.

The maximum weight of Ryanair cabin luggage (a trolley suitcase or bag) is 10 kg and the airline is very strict about overweight cabin luggage.

It is therefore worth to consider purchasing a light-weight cabin trolley when travelling frequently with Ryanair or most of other low-cost airlines. Amongst major European budget carriers, only Easyjet has more relaxed cabin luggage rules, with no weight restrictions for hand baggage.

Second carry-on bag Ryanair
Since December 2013, Ryanair passengers are allowed to transport an additional item of hand luggage, free of charge.

This item, defined by the airline as a ‘small carry-on bag’ corresponds to a small ladies’ handbag or a small airport shopping bag, no bigger than 35cm x 20cm x 20cm, allowing one bottle of wine or the equivalent of it.

Oversized cabin luggage Ryanair
Whenever the hand baggage allowance is exceeded either by weight or dimensions, it will be refused at the boarding gate and placed in the hold of the aircraft.

Please be aware that a rather steep fee applies in such cases - £50/€50. On domestic flights this fee is subject to VAT.

Since most of Ryanair aircrafts allow only 90 pieces of luggage inside the cabin, should this number be exceeded, your hand luggage (even if properly sized) might be transported in the hold, free of charge.

Ryanair extra item seat
If you wish to transport in the cabin a small musical instrument (cello, guitar, violin or viola), exceeding the allowed dimensions for hand luggage, it requires booking an extra seat, subject to applicable fee.

The extra item seat is booked during the online check-in process, by entering ‘ITEM SEAT’ as the surname and ‘EXTRA’ as the first name, accompanied by the main passenger’s travel document details.

Be aware that extra item seat cannot be purchased in emergency rows - 1, 16 and 17 - of the aircraft.

Related article: Ryanair lowers luggage fees in 2014