Ryanair is adding a few extra centimetres to your free cabin bag — let’s see who actually wins from this update.
Good news for everyone who can pack their life into a backpack with Tetris-level precision.
Ryanair — the low-cost champion we love to hate — is finally giving us a little more breathing room. In the coming weeks, they’ll officially increase the size of the free cabin bag.
The EU has been hinting for a while that it’s time to stop playing “guess the bag size” at airport gates. Now, new European rules are about to standardize cabin bag allowances across all airlines. And Ryanair? They’ve decided to jump on board (pun intended).
So, what’s actually changing?
Under the new EU proposal:
- Personal item: up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Small cabin bag: total size up to 100 cm (sum of all sides) and max weight 7 kg.
Ryanair’s current personal bag allowance is 40 × 25 × 20 cm.
Soon, it will be 40 × 30 × 20 cm.
Yes, it’s just an extra 5 cm of width. But those few extra centimetres might actually save you from wearing three layers of clothes just to squeeze through the boarding gate.
Is this a big deal?
Honestly? Not life-changing, but still a solid win.
No, you won’t suddenly carry a suitcase for a two-week holiday, but you will have room for that extra sweatshirt or a decent snack.
And here’s the real beauty: airlines will (finally!) be playing by the same rules across Europe. No more Russian roulette with the dreaded bag sizer.
Who actually benefits?
- Solo travellers:
That weekend backpack now fits an extra hoodie, camera, or a more comfortable outfit. - Families:
A bit more space means you can squeeze in an extra snack or a toy without paying extra. - People who already bought “Ryanair-approved” bags:
Your bag still works. No need to panic-buy a new one.
When will this happen?
Airlines have promised to apply the new standards by the end of the 2025 summer season. Members of Airlines for Europe (A4E) are already preparing for the switch, and soon we’ll all follow the same cabin bag rules across Europe. Finally.
For the record, some airlines like British Airways, Jet2, and easyJet already offer more generous allowances — but Ryanair’s update is big news for budget travellers who count every centimetre.
Bottom line: Is it worth getting excited?
Yes. A little win is still a win.
It’s not a revolution, but having more space for your essentials is always good news — especially if you love flying light and skipping the checked bag fees.
So yeah, you can stop stuffing all your clothes into your pockets. Your bag just got bigger (officially).
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✈️ Aviasales – budget-friendly flights
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🚘 LocalRent – car rentals (with free cancellation)
