RYANAIR is set to reduce the size of their hand luggage allowance.
The budget carrier currently allows a free bag the size of 40cm x 25cm x 20cm into the cabin, which fits underneath the seat in front and is around 20 litres.
Ryanair is set to make hand luggage even smaller[/caption]
However, new rules will reduce this to just 40cm x 30cm x 15cm, the Independent reports which is just 18 litres.
Anyone with a bag that fits the new rules, will no longer be able to use it.
Not only that, but all airports would need to change the size of their baggage sizers to be able to check them.
The new rules are expected to be rolled out by the end of October this year.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe (A4E) of which Ryanair is included, said: “This will align A4E members with the decision of member states made last month and bring more clarity to passengers across Europe.
“From city-hoppers to family travellers, everyone will benefit from the same clear rule across our members’ networks.”
The size reduction comes amid the new EU rules set to be introduced which will ban airlines from charging for small carry on bags.
This means passengers would be allowed a small cabin bag weighing up to 7kg, and no more than 100cm.
The rules hope to simplify the travel process, with a common standard across the board for carry-on luggage.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “We want to make sure passengers can travel with ease, which is why we landed a deal with the EU to allow millions more British nationals to use e-gates at airports in time for the summer holidays.”
Yet those opposing it have warned it will race plane ticket prices.
Not only that, but most airlines do not have the overhead locker capacity to allow all passengers a cabin bag.
Airlines for Europe Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou told Politico: “The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t.”
Other budget airlines that don’t allow free cabin bags offer a much larger underseat bag size allowance.
EasyJet allows bags that are 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, and have confirmed they won’t reduce their sizes.
While Wizz Air allow bags up to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
British Airways and Jet2 have the same smaller size as Ryanair, but also allow a free cabin bag, measuring 56cm x 45cm x 15cm.
Earlier this year, Ryanair were forced to refund a customer £124 after it was ruled they shouldn’t have charged them for their hand luggage.
The Spanish court claimed that the hand luggage was an “essential part of air travel”.
And last October Ryanair was also fined and after two customers complained how much they had been charged for hand luggage in Spain.
The new rules will be rolled out by October[/caption]
