Ryanair increases permitted size for free hand luggage

Europe's largest low-cost airline, Ryanair, will increase the size of its free hand luggage allowance in the coming weeks. Passengers will then be allowed to take luggage up to 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters on flights with the airline.

This is a major issue at Ryanair, which is already a hot topic right now. The EU Parliament wants to update EU passenger rights regulations and standardize airlines' hand luggage requirements .

The EU's plans stipulate that in the future, travelers will be allowed to carry one free small piece of hand luggage with a maximum size of 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters and one additional free piece of hand luggage (maximum total dimensions of 100 centimeters and seven kilograms) on every airline in Europe.

Regardless of the EU's decision, Ryanair plans to increase the minimum size for free baggage by five centimeters. With dimensions of 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters, the bag volume for free hand luggage on Ryanair flights will increase to 24 liters. Previously, the dimensions were 40 x 25 x 20 centimeters – a volume of 20 liters.

Lufthansa currently allows a maximum of 55 x 40 x 23 centimeters in hand luggage—which corresponds to a volume of approximately 50 liters. One additional small piece of luggage is permitted.

EasyJet, on the other hand, doesn't allow a second piece of luggage in the cabin. Only one piece measuring 45 x 36 x 20 centimeters is permitted, resulting in a maximum volume of 32 liters. If the airline has its way, it will stay that way, reports the Independent . EasyJet isn't alone in this; many airlines oppose standardizing hand luggage regulations across the EU.

Together with Ryanair, Easyjet hopes to be able to dissuade the EU authorities from introducing two free pieces of hand luggage by reaching an agreement on the minimum size.

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