Ryanair hand-luggage tip that could save Irish travellers from a costly mistake
A holidaymaker kneels on the floor, laying out every item inside a 40cm x 30cm outline as a packing specialist has recommended — a simple rehearsal for the new ryanair personal bag allowance that has been expanded and is now active. The scene is quiet and methodical: a lightweight cardboard box is placed in the centre, clothes folded around it, chargers sealed and protected.
How does Ryanair’s change affect hand luggage?
The budget carrier expanded its ‘personal bag’ allowance by 20% in line with new EU regulations. From September 2025, travellers flying on a basic fare can bring a bigger bag on board at no extra cost, with dimensions up to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. The bag must weigh under 10kg and fit beneath the seat in front. With the updated bag sizes now active, that larger envelope of space is available to passengers who meet those conditions.
What packing mistakes are passengers making and how can cardboard help?
Packing specialist Tom Schott of Schott Packaging warns Irish holidaymakers that the enhanced allowance could encourage overstuffing. “The new dimension is a game-changer, but only if you use it wisely, ” he said. “The mistake is to simply cram more in. The real victory for passengers is using that volume to pack with structure. A well-packed bag is a compliant bag. “
Tom recommends using rigid support inside a soft bag: “Soft bags lose volume. A lightweight, snug-fitting cardboard box inside your bag provides a rigid frame, allowing you to use every corner and prevent the bulge that attracts gate staff. ” He also advises compartmentalising and protecting small items: “Place a small, sturdy box in the centre of your bag, cushioned by clothes. This creates a crush-proof zone for chargers, adapters, and toiletries, preventing damage and leaks. “
What practical steps can passengers take now?
Tom offers several hands-on suggestions to help travellers make the most of the new allowance. He recommends sealable bags to optimise space, sorting items into smaller sections, and safeguarding valuables. He urged passengers to pre-plan their packing by laying out all items on the floor within a 40cm x 30cm outline to see what truly fits and assemble packed modules logically and quickly. “These aren’t just clever tricks, but core principles of efficient packing. By applying them, you can confidently pack that extra outfit and still breeze through the boarding gate, ” he said.
The combination of regulatory change and practical packing methods is already changing how people approach hand luggage. The expanded allowance offers more room, but Tom’s warnings underline that structure and preparation — including the cardboard trick — are the best defenses against gate disputes and damaged items.
Back on the floor, the traveller tucks a small, snug cardboard box among folded shirts, seals a bag of cables, and steps back to test the outline. The new rules have given room to breathe; the real work, Tom reminds us, is in the planning. For anyone boarding under the updated allowance, a little cardboard and a clear 40cm x 30cm rehearsal could be the difference between a smooth gate experience and an unexpected charge for an oversized bag. ryanair passengers who follow those steps are more likely to pass through the gate with their belongings intact and their journey uninterrupted.
