Founded in Ireland in 1984, Ryanair — stylized RyanAir — is a low-cost airline that flies. Including its subsidiaries — Ryanair UK, Buzz, and Malta Air — operate 467 aircraft and travel to 225 destinations. Headquartered at Dublin Airport, the carrier also has a large hub at London’s Stansted Airport.
Ryanair flies throughout Europe, Morocco, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.
Spending time in Dublin, try our luggage storage options in Ireland.
RyanAir Carry-On Cabin Baggage
The more luggage on a flight, the more gasoline is used. Since Ryanair is a budget carrier, its modus operandi is cutting corners whenever possible without sacrificing safety. To that end, the airline is very strict about luggage, which shaves a few bucks off each flight in terms of gas used.
Passengers with Non-Priority tickets cannot bring cabin luggage. All they’re allowed is a single personal item, like a backpack, purse, or beach bag. It can’t be larger than 25 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. People with Priority tickets can bring one personal item and one piece of carry-on luggage that doesn’t weigh more than 10 kilograms and isn’t larger than 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm.
Duty-free shopping items, within reason, can also be carried on board.
That said, people can pony up extra cash to bring more luggage — but it will cost you a pretty penny.
RyanAir Checked Baggage
Ryanair’s checked baggage policy is just as stingy as its carry-on one: no ticket comes with an included luggage allowance. However, each passenger can buy spots for up to three checked items of baggage that weigh no more than 20 kilograms each.
The price depends on the route and when you purchase the extra parcel space. It’s best to handle the reservations online at least one day ahead. You’ll pay less than doing it at the airport check-in desk.
Also, be aware that Ryanair closes its baggage drop location 40 minutes before every flight, and they’re not flexible. If you book extra baggage space online and don’t arrive in time to drop off your stuff, you’re out of luck — and there’s a 99.9 percent chance that Ryanair will not refund you.
RyanAir Excess Baggage Policy
If any piece of your checked luggage weighs more than 20 kilograms, you’ll be charged £11 per kg up to 32 kg. If your load weighs more than 32 kilograms, the airline will not allow you to check it. In such instances, your best bet is a luggage shipping service — which is almost always less expensive than lugging it with you on a plane.
RyanAir Sports Equipment
Ryanair allows passengers to book space for their sports equipment in advance. If you’re bringing standard stuff — golf clubs, ski equipment, dismantled bikes — you can book online. Depending on the item and flight, it will cost you somewhere between £35-£60. If you do it at the airport when checking in, the fees jump to £40-£75.
Checked sports equipment in Ryanair must be under 20kg — or 30kg if a bike.
RyanAir Musical Instruments
Like sports equipment, Ryanair passengers can transport musical instruments with the airline if there’s enough space on the flight, and it doesn’t exceed size limitations. It will cost somewhere between £50 and £65.
Small instruments, like flutes and clarinets, can usually be brought on board, but anything larger will require purchasing checked-baggage space. Some people go as far as buying their instrument a seat. But at that point, it may just be easier to use a luggage shipper that also handles musical instruments.
Contact RyanAir
- Ryanair’s Online Customer Service Portal: https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/contact-us
- Ryanair’s Phone Number Directory: https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/cs-phone-numbers
*Caveat Emptor: Ryanair sometimes charges people for calling them!
Alternative to Excess Baggage Fees
Ryanair is notorious for its overage charges. Plus, their customer service reputation is, shall we say, less than venerated. If you’re traveling by Ryanair, seriously consider using a luggage shipping service, like Stasher, instead of entrusting your belongings to the airline.
Stasher is an international travel luggage company that has won several customer service awards. If you have baggage that needs shipping, they’ll come to you, pick it up, and get your things where they need to be on time.
All Stasher shipments are insured, and you won’t have to worry about lugging tons of baggage through the airport.
Check out Stasher’s luggage shipping service today. Once you try it, you’ll never go back!
