Ryanair starts charging for luggage

Passengers flying today with Ryanair have become the first to pay for checked-in luggage under the airline's new rules.

Ryanair customers now have to pay up to £5 per bag on top of their ticket, for any luggage they wish to check-in.

However, the airline has reduced all of its fares by nine per cent, meaning passengers who only carry hand luggage onto flights actually benefit from cheaper fares.

EU passport holders carrying only hand luggage will also be able to check-in on the web and bypass check-in and airport queues, as well as receiving priority at boarding gates.

Under the new system, passengers who want to take checked-in luggage on the flight will be charged £2.50 per bag if booked in advance.

If they turn up to the airport without having booked in their luggage, they will have to pay £5 per bag.

Luggage allowances will be increased from 25kgs to 30kgs, comprising 10kgs hand luggage and 20kgs checked-in luggage.
The airline expects 25 per cent of its passengers, those who travel with just hand luggage, to benefit from lower fares as a result of the changes.

Announcing the changes in January, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said: "We have no doubt that this pioneering development for checked in bags is the way forward, as it will encourage and incentivise more passengers on short-haul journeys to travel with hand luggage only." XXX