Ryanair is reminding passgengers that it is changing luggage check-in rules very soon. The budget airline is bringing in a new rule into effect on November 10, 2026, that will mean passengers have to get to the airport earlier than previously required.
The incoming rule was announced back in April and means that airport bag drop services at all Ryanair airports will close 60 minutes before the scheduled departure, instead of 40 minutes.
This effectively means passengers with bags to check in could need to get to their departure airport 20 minutes earlier than they had in the past.
Ryanair says the change will allow passengers who check a bag “more time to clear airport security and passport control queues and reach their departure gate before boarding begins, particularly during busy travel periods.”
Anyone who usually leaves checking in their luggage until the last minute will need to plan ahead, as those who miss the deadline could be refused boarding.
The airline estimates that around 20 per cent of its customers travel with checked luggage and will be affected by the new cut-off time.
However, the remaining 80 per cent who travel without checked bags will not be affected by the change.
Ryanair’s chief marketing officer Dara Brady said: “From Tues 10 Nov next, Ryanair customers will see airport check-in and bag drops close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of today’s 40 minutes.
“This will allow these 20 per cent of our customers (who check in a bag) more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on-time, especially during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer.”
The airline is also introducing more self-service bag drop kiosks across its network, with plans for them to be available at more than 95 per cent of airports by the end of this month.
These machines will allow passengers to check in their luggage and print bag tags themselves, which Ryanair hopes will reduce queues.
Passengers should also remember that online check-in is separate from the new luggage rule.
Ryanair customers must still complete online check-in through the airline’s website or app at least two hours before their scheduled departure.
Those who fail to check in online may face an airport check-in fee of £55, while passengers who miss the airport check-in deadline risk being denied boarding without a refund.
