Traveller issues warning to Ryanair passengers over backpack that doesn't meet airline's bag rules
A traveller has warned Ryanair passengers after witnessing 'at least six' people fined for attempting to travel with a bag that doesn't fit the size limit.
Their caution was for passengers carrying a popular style of backpack that can be adjusted depending on how much you need to carry.
They wrote: 'We are right now at the airport waiting to board a flight with Ryanair and we noticed that almost all the rolltop backpacks are being put to measure and at least six people (while we were here) had to pay extra.
'So, unless yours is extra small, be aware that if you have it as a personal item (under the seat bag), people in the gates are extra sharp with those.
The post has been upvoted 53 times and has sparked debate in the comments.
The top comment, which has been upvoted almost 140 times, reads: 'The real travel hack is to not board a Ryanair plane until you are very near the last person boarding.
A traveller has issued a warning to Ryanair passengers after witnessing 'at least six' people fined for attempting to travel with a bag that doesn't fit the size limit
Ryanair passengers are allowed a free bag to take on board, but can be charged up to £75 if they try to bring a larger bag than allowed onto a flight, depending on the route and travel date
'Airlines must keep to schedules or they miss their take-off slot. And airline crew need to get it off the ground in time or they get reprimanded.
'Being one of the last to board means you can walk on without them having time or even caring to check the size of your bag.
'But 20 minutes before that point, they will be targeting people and having their card machine ready to take €80 off you. They get paid €2.50 commission for this, it is very sad.'
Ryanair passengers are allowed a free bag to take on board, but can be charged up to £75 if they try to bring a larger bag than allowed onto a flight, depending on the route and travel date.
The airline currently allows a small carry-on bag – with a size capped at 40cm x 20cm x 25cm and a weight of 10kg – with every ticket.
However, this is set to increase to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm from September after a change in EU rules.
It comes as Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, pledged to increase the bonus for gate staff who spot oversized bags.
Starting in November, employees who identify bags that exceed the limit will see their bonuses raised from €1.50 (£1.31) to €2.50 (£2.18) per item.
The incentive was previously capped at €80 (£68.98) a month - now, the cap is set to be scrapped.
O'Leary said about 200,000 passengers per year have to pay extra to put carry-on luggage in the hold, and that he did not feel sorry for 'chancers' trying to bring 'rucksacks' aboard.
'We're the airline with the lowest air fares in Europe,' he said. 'Those are our rules. Please comply with the rules, as 99.9 per cent of our 200 million passengers do, and you won't have any problem.'
The Daily Mail has contacted Ryanair for comment.
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