Posted on Thursday, 20 September 2018

Low-cost carrier Ryanair has changed its baggage policy once again, after it disallowed wheelie cases in the cabins of its aircraft last month.

The previous rule change meant two million passengers who have already booked with the airline would not be allowed to take their wheelie cases into the cabin from November. Subsequent to the change, those who booked priority boarding (for £6/6 euros) would be allowed to stow wheelie cases weighing less than 10kg in the cabin. Other passengers would be required to pay £8 to check a small case into the hold.

The original move had been made in an attempt to tackle boarding delays. However, the rule change prompted anger among those who had booked flights departing in November and beyond, since they faced additional fees - and would have to wait at baggage reclaim.

Those passengers were told they could either cancel their flights for a full refund, or buy priority boarding or check in a small bag. The airline caused further consternation by levying the higher amendment fee rates of £8 or £10.

But Ryanair has amended that original policy and will now honour booking conditions of those who booked before 31 August. The two million non-priority passengers who booked before this date for travel after November 1 will be allowed to take their 10kg wheelie cases into the cabin without additional charge.

Questions surrounding the legality of the original decision to effectively renege on booking conditions appears to have been a major factor in the u-turn.

Ryanair will also refund around 50,000 affected customers who purchased priority boarding since the original rule change.

Ryanair's chief marketing officer, Kenny Jacobs, said: “As always Ryanair continues to lower the cost of travel, while our new bag policy from 1 November means we can eliminate all free gate bags and related flight delays.”

In recent months Ryanair has faced a number of challenges, not least of which was a pilots' strike during the crucial summer holiday period. However, recently, Irish-based Ryanair pilots voted to accept a new agreement covering employment conditions.

A spokesperson for Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA), said, “After decades of declining terms and conditions, pilots in Ryanair have now firmly found a unified voice.”

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