Alert: Europe’s Low-Cost Airline Ryanair Also Raises Bag Fees

April 6, 2010 | Posted in: Airline Fees, Bags, Ryanair, Spirit

Ryanair is raising its checked-bag fees – from approximately $23 to $33 each-way, for travel in July and August (at least to start).

Now maybe you’re thinking, at least Ryanair isn’t like Spirit Airlines which is now charging a fee for a carryon bags.

But is that really true?

Consider this: yes, Ryanair does give you “one free piece of cabin baggage” – but that one piece includes a purse or a laptop or a shopping bag or a camera or a briefcase – and, that is that. If you bring a handbag, that is your total carryon allowance; if you have to have your laptop, nothing else is allowed onboard with you.

So unless the only thing in your hands as you board a Ryanair plane is a single carryon bag, you are going to pay.

And Ryanair is very, very strict about this policy: if you arrive at the gate with more than one carryon item, they “reserve the right to cancel your reservation without refund”.

Ouch.

6 Responses to “Alert: Europe’s Low-Cost Airline Ryanair Also Raises Bag Fees”

1. Steve Smith says:

   April 7, 2010 at 10:46 am

   Rick,

   What fascinates me most about the continual addition of all sorts of ridiculous fees and conditions is the apparent willingness of the traveling public to accept them.

   As long as we continue to invite this kind of rape from the airlines, we’re going to see more and more objectionable charges – most of which bear no relationship to the cost of actually carrying passengers. Time to revert to train travel?
2. Rick Seaney says:

   April 7, 2010 at 1:05 pm

   Steve,

   I think you’re right – many people do accept these fees. Be that as it may, most people won’t want to give up the speed and convenience of air travel – I know I don’t.

   Thanks for writing.
   Ricki
3. Kevincm says:

   April 8, 2010 at 11:16 am

   The main issue that people see isn’t the final fare, but the headline fare (which can be very low), but when you actually start putting together what you actually are going to pay, you’re approaching the same price as a “full service” airlines.

   Unless you can do the math, Ryanair can work out to be an expensive outcome (eg on a BHX-DUB, the difference can be £1 some days depending you’re choose Aer Lingus or Ryanair).

   It’s important to work it out before you go – and not be suckered in with the first number you see.
4. Rick Seaney says:

   April 8, 2010 at 3:00 pm

   Kevincm,

   You are so right: you must take into consideration all the fees, from food to bags (and maybe even pay-toilets).

   Thanks for writing.
   Rick
5. Susan says:

   April 9, 2010 at 6:38 am

   In general, it works out better sometimes to fly Easy Jet rather than Ryanair, and the service is quite a bit better in my opinion. They also let you carry on one bag, like Ryanair, but the weight limit is a bit higher. It’s amazing how good one can get about packing everything including purse, into one bag for travel to avoid the 15 quid charge.
6. Rick Seaney says:

   April 12, 2010 at 7:52 am

   Susan,

   Thanks for the first-person anecdote.

   Rick