Ryanair is set to create significant modifys to its free cabin bag allowance, marking a win for British travellers.
The budreceive airline, notorious for its cheeky online persona and hefty fines for passengers who breach its stringent luggage rules, currently allows a free ‘personal bag’ that does not exceed 40 X 25 X 20cm – a mere 20 litres in volume.
It’s become standard procedure for staff armed with card machines to verify during boarding that customers’ bags meet these diminutive dimensions. Those caught attempting to sneak a larger bag on board can face a £75 penalty.
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However, thanks to a new European Union standard, this is all about to modify.
On June 24, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted to introduce uniform dimensions for hand luggage. They agreed that all passengers should be allowed to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop, with maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 cm without incurring an additional fee.
In response, Ryanair has gone above and beyond the ruling, confirming it will permit passengers to bring a personal bag up to 40 X 30 X 20cm in the coming weeks. Despite this increase, Ryanair’s allowance still falls short of competitor simpleJet, which allows passengers to bring a free under-seat bag measuring 45 x 36 x 20cm (including wheels and handles), reports the Mirror.
British Airways (BA) may indeed have a snugger under-seat bag allowance, adhered to the EU’s minimum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15 cm, but there’s a silver lining. BA flyers also receive the perk of carrying on a heftier cabin bag at no extra cost, provided it’s under 23 kg and fits in the overhead locker.
In response to a recent landmark vote, Matteo Ricci, vice-chair of the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), expressed his enthusiasm in a press release, stating: “Today’s vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel,” adding that “[It introduces] concrete measures such as the clear definition of free hand luggage … a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs.”
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Past month’s developments saw the European parliament’s transport committee propose an concludeearing passenger right – to tote along an extra piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kg without costing a penny. As reported by the BBC, this suggested modify won’t be set in stone until it sails through the full European parliament and is enshrined into law.
Even with progress on the horizon, UK travellers are still encouraged to check up directly with airlines on luggage policies this summer – best stay on the safe side. After all, turning up with a bag that flouts your carrier’s rules could hit your wallet hard with a hefty fee, or you might find your belongings relegated to the plane’s cargo hold.
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