Ryanair Increases Free Personal Bag Allowance To 40x30x20cm Across Europe

Okay, folks, gather ‘round. I know, I know – talking about an airline usually gets the same reaction as finding a hair in your sandwich. But hear me out, because Ryanair just did something that made me choke on my overpriced airport coffee. They’ve actually, genuinely, increased the size of the free personal bag allowance across Europe.

Stop the press. Fetch the smelling salts. Is this real life?

Yes. The new standard is now 40x30x20cm. That’s it. That tiny little rectangle of hope just got a teeny, tiny bit bigger. It’s like the airline finally realised we aren’t all contortionists who enjoy packing a weekend’s worth of clothes into a shoebox.

What’s Actually Changing?

Before you start planning to bring a full-size suitcase, let’s be clear: this is still a personal item. We’re not talking checked luggage. We’re talking the bag you shove under the seat in front of you, right next to your knees.

The old size of 42x20x30cm? Gone. Poof. The new ruler is 40x30x20cm. It’s a subtle shift, but mathematically, it’s better. You get a bit more depth, which is a game-changer for sneaking in an extra pair of shoes or a slightly larger book.

To put it plainly: your bag can now be taller by a whole 10cm. That’s the difference between a flat pancake and a glorious, fluffy croissant. Which, let’s be honest, is what we’re all dreaming about at 30,000 feet anyway.

But Wait, Does This Actually Help Me?

Yes, yes it does. If you’ve ever played the “shove your backpack into the tiny metal cage” game, you’ll know the pain. The new dimensions mean a standard daypack or a slim laptop bag will slide right in without a fight.

No more awkward looks from the gate agent. No more pretending your bag is “soft sided” while you blatantly try to force a hard shell case into the sizer. It’s literally a centimeter-based victory for the common traveler.

Think about it: this change applies across Europe. From Dublin to Dubrovnik, from Lisbon to Lublin. Your bag just got a little bit bigger, and your stress just got a little bit smaller. That’s a trade I’d take any day.

The Fine Print (Because It’s Always There)

Now, I won’t lie to you – this isn’t a free-for-all. This is still the free bag. If you want to bring a wheelie suitcase onboard, you’ll still need to pay for “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.” That hasn’t changed. Sorry.

But for the budget-conscious among us? This is huge. You can now pack a proper change of clothes, a thin jacket, and still have room for a bag of Maltesers (which you will definitely need after dealing with the security queue). The key word here is efficiency.

A 40x30x20cm bag means you can actually bring a real pair of jeans instead of just Spanx and a prayer. It’s the difference between looking like a rumpled mess and looking like a slightly-less-rumpled human being.

What Bag Should You Buy?

This is the fun part. The internet is buzzing with reviews of “Ryanair-approved” bags. You want something that hits exactly 40x30x20cm. Not 41. Not 42. The sizer is your enemy, but also your best friend.

Look for a bag that is soft and squishy. Hard-sided “underseat” bags are a no-go if they’re rigid. You need something that will give a little when the gate agent gives you the death glare.

A good option is a foldable daypack (like the Osprey Daylite or similar). Or, you know, just a regular backpack that isn’t packed to bursting. The “squish test” is real. If you can’t squeeze it down, you’re going to have a bad time.

My Personal Test Run

I tried this new allowance on a flight from London to Barcelona last week. I took my trusty 40x30x20 cm backpack. I packed a laptop, a hoodie, two books, and an entire baguette (don’t judge me, it was for the plane).

It fit. Perfectly. Under the seat, with room to spare. I didn’t have to play the “knee sandwich” game where your legs are crushed against the seat in front. I felt like a millionaire on a budget airline.

The best part? The flight attendant walked by and didn’t even blink. She was too busy selling scratch cards. I felt like I’d hacked the system. And really, that’s what travel is all about – finding tiny, ridiculous victories.

The Bottom Line (And a Joke)

So, hats off to Ryanair. Seriously. It took them, what, 30 years? But they did it. They listened to the people screaming about bag sizes. (Okay, probably not, but let’s pretend). This is a win for the backpack crowd, the minimalist, and the person who just needs one more souvenir.

Yes, they’ll still charge you for printing your boarding pass. Yes, the seats are still as comfortable as a park bench in December. But for once, the news is good. Your bag just got a little bit bigger, and your wallet didn’t get any lighter.

Pro tip: don’t get greedy. If you bring a bag that’s exactly the right size, you will feel like a hero. If you bring a bag that’s 41cm, you will feel like a fool. Choose wisely, my friends.

Now go forth. Pack your 40x30x20cm bag. Book your €9.99 flight to a random European city. And remember: the real victory isn’t the extra space – it’s the look on your face when you walk past the gate agent with a confident, smug little smile. You’ve earned it.

Safe travels, you magnificent packer, you. May your socks always be dry, your bag always fit, and your holiday always be full of surprisingly good airport pastries.