Ryanair has announced a significant change to its luggage rules, set to take effect in 2026. The budget airline revealed that from November 10, all check-in and bag drop services at every airport it operates from will close 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time, an increase from the current 40-minute cutoff.
Reason for the Change
The airline stated that this adjustment aims to give passengers more time to navigate airport security and passport queues, thereby reducing the number of travelers who miss their flights due to delays in these areas. According to Ryanair, approximately 20% of its passengers currently check in a bag, and this change is designed to benefit them by allowing extra time to reach their departure gate.
Self-Service Kiosks Expansion
In addition to the rule change, Ryanair is in the process of installing more self-service bag-drop kiosks. By October, 95% of the airports it serves will be equipped with these kiosks, which the airline claims will expedite the bag-drop process and reduce queuing at airport desks.
Ryanair CMO Dara Brady commented: "From Tuesday 10 November next, Ryanair customers will see airport check-in and bag drops close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of today’s 40 minutes. This will allow these 20% of our customers (who check in a bag) more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on time, especially during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer."
He added: "We are also installing self-service kiosks at over 95% of Ryanair airports before October. This means a quicker bag-drop service, less queuing at airport desks, and an even more punctual service for the 20% of our customers who still wish to check in a bag, while the 80% (who don’t check in a bag) will be unaffected by this small 20-minute change, as they will continue to check in online before they arrive at the departure airport and they go straight through airport security to their departure gate."
Impact of New Entry/Exit System (EES)
Over the past week, Ryanair passengers have experienced disruptions due to the rollout of the new Entry/Exit System (EES), which has caused long queues at some European airports. The system, implemented at all Schengen Area border checkpoints on April 10, requires non-EU nationals, including British citizens, to register biometric data such as facial scans and fingerprints. This data is verified each time they cross a Schengen border.
Passengers flying from Milan Bergamo to Manchester were notably affected, with some missing their flight due to difficulties at passport control. Ryanair addressed the incident, stating: "Should these passengers have presented at the boarding gate desk before it closed, they would have boarded this flight."
The EES is operated by individual border control authorities, not by airports or airlines, and has contributed to longer security and passport control queues, a factor that Ryanair's new rule aims to mitigate.
