Budget airline Ryanair is set to make big changes to its cabin baggage allowance this year, in response to an attempt by the European Commission to persuade airlines across Europe to standardise. Currently, Europe’s biggest low-cost airline allows on board for free a bag measuring 40 x 25 x 20cm on board without charge, providing a volume of 20 litres.
However, at the end of October 2025, all this is set to change. From the start of the winter aviation season, the new dimensions of the baggage will be 40 x 30 x 15cm, allowing a volume of only 18 litres. Airlines for Europe (A4E), of which Ryanair is a member, has been in discussion with the transport commissioner in Brussels, Adina Vălean, about making travel easier for passengers. The organisation claims that “all A4E airlines will roll out the guaranteed dimensions and have them in place by the end of the 2025 summer season”.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director A4E, said: “This will align A4E members with the decision of member states made last month and bring more clarity to passengers across Europe.
“From city-hoppers to family travellers, everyone will benefit from the same clear rule across our members’ networks.”
That being said, most carriers will continue as they did before. British Airways, Jet2 and easyJet all have allowances that currently exceed the new “standardised” dimensions. According to The Independent, a spokesperson for easyJet confirmed the dimensions will remain the same, at 45 x 36 x 20cm, giving a maximum volume of 32 litres. Ryanair appears to be the only major airline that will be making the changes.
However, not all agree with the change. Critics have warned that the change will result in an increase in plane ticket prices. On top of this, most airlines do not have the overhead locker capacity to allow all passengers a cabin bag.
Ms Georgoutsakou told Politico: “The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t.”
This news comes as three of the UK’s most popular airlines – Ryanair, easyJet and WizzAir – were put to the test to see which all-economy layout offered the most legroom. WizzAir and easyJet both use A320 planes, while Ryanair operates with Boeing 737 aircraft. On all these aircraft and airlines, the seat backs are fixed and do not recline.