If you’ve flown Ryanair recently and found yourself measuring your bag at the gate, you’re not alone. The airline quietly increased its free underseat bag to 40 × 30 × 20 cm in July 2025 — a 20% jump from the previous 40 × 20 × 25 cm — and passengers are still sorting out what this actually means for handbags, backpacks, and that second cabin bag you paid Priority for. The official rules exist, but the gap between what’s written and what travellers experience has plenty of people confused.
New small personal bag size: 40 × 30 × 20 cm · Previous size limit: 40 × 20 × 25 cm · Priority boarding bag: 10 kg cabin bag · Size increase: 20% larger
Quick snapshot
- All Ryanair fares include one small personal bag of 40 × 30 × 20 cm that must fit under the seat (Ryanair Help Centre)
- Priority & 2 Cabin Bags adds a second bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm, max 10 kg) in the overhead locker (Ryanair Help Centre)
- Free bag volume increased from 14 to 20 litres with the new dimensions (Lugares Incertos travel news)
- Gate fee amounts for oversize bags — exact figures not published on Ryanair’s help pages
- Regional enforcement variations — EU vs UK airports may apply sizers differently
- How often Priority bags are actually weighed at the gate
- Old size 40 × 20 × 25 cm enforced until mid-2025 (Irish Times transport reporting)
- Announcement made July 2025, new size took effect late summer 2025 (Irish Times transport reporting)
- No further changes confirmed as of January 2026 (Irish Times transport reporting)
- Ryanair says no additional baggage changes are planned for 2026 (Irish Times transport reporting)
- Competitors easyJet and Wizz Air remain larger on free underseat allowance (Which? airline comparison)
- Stricter gate enforcement likely to continue as airport sizers updated to new dimensions (The Travel Tinker enforcement guide)
Here’s how Ryanair’s current cabin bag options stack up against each other.
| Bag type | Dimensions | Weight limit | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small personal bag (all fares) | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Not enforced | Free |
| Priority cabin bag | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | £12–£36 online, £20–£60 at airport |
| 10 kg check-in bag | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 10 kg | Add-on fee |
| 20 kg check-in bag | Up to 81 × 119 × 119 cm | 20 kg | Add-on fee |
Has Ryanair changed their cabin baggage allowance?
Yes — and the change was significant. Ryanair increased the free underseat bag from 40 × 20 × 25 cm to 40 × 30 × 20 cm in July 2025, a shift that added roughly 5 cm of depth. The volume jumped from about 14 litres to 20 litres. This wasn’t a minor tweak; it brought Ryanair’s free allowance in line with competitors like Wizz Air, though still behind easyJet’s 45 × 36 × 20 cm.
Recent size increases
The announcement came in July 2025 and the new dimensions took effect by late summer that year, according to the Irish Times transport reporting, which quoted Ryanair saying it had made no further changes since. Ryanair updated its baggage sizers at airports to reflect the new 40 × 30 × 20 cm rule, per The Travel Tinker enforcement guide. The old 40 × 25 × 20 cm figure is still listed on some official Ryanair articles, which adds to passenger confusion.
Impact on non-Priority passengers
Non-Priority passengers on a basic fare get exactly one small personal bag that must fit under the seat in front of them. That’s it. No second bag, no overhead locker access, and no exceptions. The weight of the free underseat bag isn’t typically enforced as long as it fits and can be lifted, according to Mr Plane Guy hand luggage guide, though gate staff do check dimensions.
The 20% size boost matters most for non-Priority flyers: a standard laptop bag or small backpack now fits where it wouldn’t before. If you’re still packing a bag built for the old 40 × 20 × 25 cm shape, you’re probably leaving space on the table.
Can I take my handbag as well as hand luggage on Ryanair?
This is where things get tricky. Your handbag counts as your personal item only if it fits inside the 40 × 30 × 20 cm allowance. A large women’s tote won’t qualify. A slim wristlet or small crossbody likely will. The key test is whether it squishes under the seat without forcing it — gate staff use the official sizer.
Personal bag rules
Every fare includes one small personal bag. If you want to bring both a handbag and a larger cabin bag, you need Priority boarding. With Priority, you get your 40 × 30 × 20 cm personal bag under the seat plus a second bag (up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and 10 kg) in the overhead locker. That’s the only scenario where two bags are permitted without paying for a check-in option.
Handbag vs cabin bag distinction
Ryanair’s terminology distinguishes between “small personal bag” and “cabin bag.” The personal bag is the free one under your seat. The cabin bag is the Priority one that goes overhead. A handbag that exceeds 40 × 30 × 20 cm is not a personal bag — it’s an unlisted item, and gate staff will bin-tag it or charge a fee. According to Which? airline comparison, Ryanair’s free allowance remains smaller than British Airways or Jet2.
Gate enforcement has reportedly tightened since the change, with staff incentivised to flag oversize bags. If your handbag is borderline, buy Priority or pack a smaller bag — the gate fee will cost more than the add-on.
Can you still take a 10kg bag on Ryanair?
Yes, but only if you pay for Priority boarding. Priority & 2 Cabin Bags allows a second cabin bag up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and a maximum of 10 kg in the overhead locker. The weight limit is enforced for Priority bags — gate staff have scales and will pull bags that exceed 10 kg.
10kg with Priority
Priority costs between £12 and £36 when purchased online at the time of booking, rising to £20–£60 if added at the airport, according to Which? airline comparison. It also includes priority boarding queue access at the gate, per the Ryanair Help Centre bag policy. The 10 kg weight cap is non-negotiable — unlike the underseat bag, Priority bags get weighed.
Check-in 10kg option
If you don’t want the overhead locker access, you can add a 10 kg check-in bag to your booking. The dimensions are identical to the Priority cabin bag at 55 × 40 × 20 cm, per My Baggage airline guide. This goes in the hold and frees you from weight worries at security. A 20 kg check-in bag is also available for heavier loads, with maximum checked bags of three × 20 kg per passenger.
If your bag is 10 kg or under and you want it in the cabin, Priority is the move. If you don’t care about overhead access, the 10 kg check-in add-on is cheaper than risking a gate weigh-in — and you skip the boarding queue altogether.
What is the Ryanair cabin bag size?
There are two cabin bag sizes on Ryanair, and conflating them is the most common source of passenger frustration.
Small personal bag
The free bag included on every fare measures 40 × 30 × 20 cm. It must fit under the seat in front of you. This is the bag everyone gets automatically. The dimensions are sometimes listed interchangeably as 40 × 20 × 30 cm on official sources like Primark’s Ryanair baggage sizes guide, but the physical sizer is uniform.
Priority bag dimensions
The larger Priority cabin bag tops out at 55 × 40 × 20 cm with a hard 10 kg limit, per Antler’s Ryanair baggage guide. Ryanair has installed updated sizers at gates that reflect both sizes, making enforcement more consistent than in previous years. Staff bonuses for flagging oversize bags have been reported, which adds incentive on the enforcement side.
Ryanair’s old 40 × 25 × 20 cm rule was one of the tightest in Europe. The current 40 × 30 × 20 cm is still narrower than easyJet’s underseat allowance of 45 × 36 × 20 cm, but it’s no longer an outlier.
Does toothpaste count as a liquid on Ryanair?
Yes. Toothpaste is a liquid, gel, or paste under EU aviation security rules that Ryanair follows. It must be in a container of 100 ml or less and placed in a single transparent resealable bag of no more than one litre capacity. This is standard across all EU airports and has not changed with Ryanair’s baggage updates.
Liquids rules
The 100 ml per item limit applies to all liquids, gels, aerosols, pastes, and creams. Your entire 1-litre bag of toiletries must fit inside the security tray. Exemptions exist for medicines and special dietary liquid foods, which can exceed 100 ml but must be declared and may be tested.
Exceptions for essentials
Baby food, prescribed medication, and special dietary requirements are allowed past the 100 ml rule but must be presented separately at security. A declaration form may be required. Contact lenses solution follows standard liquid rules unless you have a documented medical need.
Toothpaste tabs or powder alternatives sidestep the liquid question entirely. If you travel with toothpaste regularly, switching to a solid format removes one item from your 1-litre bag — and one potential security delay.
Timeline
Five key moments shape the current policy landscape.
These milestones trace Ryanair’s baggage policy evolution from strict enforcement through the mid-2025 expansion.
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Pre-July 2025 | Old free bag size 40 × 20 × 25 cm strictly enforced |
| July 2025 | Ryanair announces size increase to 40 × 30 × 20 cm |
| Late summer 2025 | New dimensions take effect across all routes |
| 2025 onwards | Airport sizers updated; gate enforcement tightened |
| January 2026 | Ryanair confirms no further baggage dimension changes |
Ryanair’s own statement, published via the Irish Times transport reporting, was blunt: the airline has not changed its baggage dimensions since the July update. Competitors have not made moves to narrow the gap, leaving Ryanair’s current allowance stable for the foreseeable future.
Confirmed
- All fares include a free 40 × 30 × 20 cm personal bag under the seat
- Priority & 2 Cabin Bags adds a 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg bag in the overhead locker
- The size increase was announced July 2025 and took effect late summer 2025
- No further changes confirmed as of January 2026
- Priority costs £12–£36 online, £20–£60 at the airport
- easyJet’s free underseat bag (45 × 36 × 20 cm) is larger than Ryanair’s
- Toothpaste counts as a liquid and must follow 100 ml rules
Unclear
- Exact gate fees for oversize non-Priority bags
- Whether UK airports enforce differently from EU airports post-Brexit
- How frequently Priority bags are weighed at gates
- Whether Ryanair will match easyJet’s free allowance in future updates
What sources say
The airline has not changed its baggage policy for passengers – but did so last July, so if you haven’t been abroad since then, things could be different.
— Irish Times, transport reporting
Ryanair said on Friday there have been no changes to its baggage dimensions since.
— Ryanair, quoted in Irish Times
The changes are essential to maintain punctuality, because many passengers were arriving at the boarding gates with bags that were larger than permitted, causing delays.
— Ryanair statement via Lugares Incertos travel news
Related reading: EasyJet Large Cabin Bag Size
Ryanair’s baggage updates now standardize a free personal bag at 40x30x20cm, as explained in their official carry-on size guide, easing packing for budget travelers.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take phone chargers in hand luggage on Ryanair?
Yes. Phone chargers, power banks, and cables are allowed in hand luggage with no restrictions. Power banks must be in the cabin bag (not checked baggage) and should be kept separate for security screening. Spare batteries under 100 Wh are also permitted.
Does a woman’s handbag count as hand luggage on Ryanair?
Only if it fits inside 40 × 30 × 20 cm. A small handbag or crossbody bag qualifies as your personal item. A large tote or shopper bag likely exceeds the limit and will be flagged at the gate. If your handbag is oversized, it needs to be inside a compliant bag or you’d need Priority boarding for a second item.
What is Ryanair 10kg cabin bag size?
The 10 kg Priority cabin bag can be up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and must not exceed 10 kg. This is the bag that goes in the overhead locker when you purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags. A 10 kg check-in bag shares the same dimensions but travels in the hold instead.
Is easyJet cabin bag size same as Ryanair?
No. easyJet’s free underseat bag is 45 × 36 × 20 cm — noticeably larger than Ryanair’s 40 × 30 × 20 cm free personal bag. easyJet also allows a larger cabin bag under its standard fare, making Ryanair the more restrictive option for non-Priority passengers.
What is Ryanair cabin bag size 2026?
As of 2026, the free personal bag remains 40 × 30 × 20 cm. The Priority cabin bag stays at 55 × 40 × 20 cm with a 10 kg weight cap. Ryanair has confirmed no further dimension changes are planned, though gate enforcement appears stricter than in previous years.
What are Ryanair 10kg check-in bag prices?
Prices vary by route, season, and how early you add the bag to your booking. The 10 kg check-in add-on is generally cheaper than the Priority cabin bag option, but exact prices aren’t published and fluctuate. Adding at booking time is typically cheaper than the airport counter.
Can I take a handbag and backpack on Ryanair?
Only if the backpack fits inside 40 × 30 × 20 cm, which is unlikely for a standard backpack. Without Priority, you get one bag under the seat — choose either your handbag or your backpack, not both. With Priority, you can bring a small personal bag under the seat plus a backpack (up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg) in the overhead locker.
Passengers who understand the distinction between free personal items and paid Priority bags avoid the most common Ryanair boarding gate disputes.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.