Ryanair has never pretended to be generous with baggage, yet the Ryanair carry-on luggage rules for 2026 are slightly easier to live with than they were not so long ago. The main reason is a larger “free” underseat bag, paired with the same old insistence that it must fit the sizer at the gate.
Ryanair cabin bag size in 2026: what you get for free
Every fare includes one small personal bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. Ryanair lists the allowance as 40 x 30 x 20 cm and gives examples such as a handbag or laptop bag.
Size is the key test. Ryanair says bags that do not fit in the baggage sizers can be refused at the gate or put in the hold for a fee. In practical terms, the common culprits are rigid shells, wheels, and pockets stuffed to the point the bag turns into a rectangle with ambitions.
The paid add-on that matters: overhead locker space
If you want a second bag in the overhead locker, Ryanair sells access through Priority. The option called “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” allows the underseat bag plus a 10 kg bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm, stored overhead, and it includes priority boarding.
When Priority sells out on a flight, Ryanair points passengers to a different product rather than bending the cabin rules: the 10 kg check-in bag, dropped at the desk before security and carried in the aircraft hold.
So, What changed?
Older allowance used to be 40 x 25 x 20 cm for the free underseat bag. That was accurate for years, and it is why many travellers still buy bags built around the smaller limit.
In July 2025, UK reporting said Ryanair was increasing the free allowance to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. The change came into force by the end of summer 2025 and that Ryanair said there had been no further changes since.
The extra 5 cm does not transform what you can bring, but it does make the difference between a tight daypack and a bag that can take a light jumper, book, charger and toiletries without forcing the zip.
Why Ryanair made the allowance bigger
- Airlines have faced mounting pressure in Europe over cabin baggage fees, with disputes and investigations in countries including Spain.
- Reuters has reported the Spanish consumer ministry’s action against several low-cost carriers over charges that include cabin luggage, alongside the legal challenges that followed.
- Reuters also reported the European Commission’s view that Spain’s fines over cabin bag fees breached regulations.
- Consumer organisations have continued to contest hand luggage charging practices in parallel, including cases involving Ryanair.
- At the same time, there has been a push towards clearer minimum standards for what counts as a free personal item. In July 2025, airlines were aligning behind an EU “guaranteed” size and that Ryanair presented its new limit as above that baseline.
Put together, the shape of the update makes sense. Ryanair can point to a tangible free entitlement while still charging for overhead locker space, which is scarce on any full flight. That is the logic behind the current Ryanair baggage policy for cabin bags: a defined underseat item for everyone, then paid options for anything beyond it.
Enforcement in 2026: Expect stricter checks
Ryanair’s own rules warn that oversized cabin bags may be refused at the gate or placed in the hold for a fee.
Ryanair has also been open about encouraging staff to spot non-compliant bags. The airline also increased the bonus paid to staff who identify oversized cabin bags, and removed the previous monthly cap on those bonuses from the winter schedule.
If your bag looks “close enough”, assume someone will measure it.
How to pack so you do not get caught out
The simplest approach is to plan around shape, not just volume.
- Measure your luggage when it is full. Many bags expand beyond their advertised size once the pockets are loaded.
- Choose soft-sided luggage where possible, as it can compress into the sizer more easily than a rigid case.
- Keep loose extras (a second tote, a bulky scarf, duty-free) inside your main bag until you are seated.
If you can travel within the underseat carry on luggage allowance, you often save both money and time. If you are packing for winter, carrying work kit, or bringing gifts, paying for Priority can be cheaper than a rushed gate decision and the stress that comes with it.
Choose a BG Berlin cabin bag with dimensions clearly listed on every model, plus practical details such as tie-down straps, a four-wheel spinner system and TSA-approved locks for added peace of mind.
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Also Read: The Rise of Ultralight Luggage: Travel Hassle-Free and Save on Baggage Fees
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Is Ryanair changing the size of carry-on bags?
Right now, Ryanair lists the free underseat bag as 40 x 30 x 20 cm. This increase came into force by the end of summer 2025 and that Ryanair said there had been no further changes since. Always check the Help Centre close to departure, as airports adjust sizers over time.
2. Can I bring a handbag as well as the free underseat bag?
Ryanair includes one small personal bag in the fare. If you carry a backpack and a separate handbag, staff can treat that as two cabin bags. The low-drama solution is to place the handbag inside your underseat bag while boarding, then take it out once you are onboard.
3. What happens if my bag is slightly too big at the gate?
Ryanair says cabin bags that do not fit in the sizers can be refused at the gate or put in the hold for a fee. The “slightly too big” cases usually come from overpacking, hard edges, and wheels. If you can compress the bag to fit, you often avoid a problem.
4. Is there a weight limit for the free underseat bag?
Ryanair’s policy focus on the bag fitting under the seat, rather than a specific weight cap for the free personal item. Staff can check size quickly, which is why shape matters most. Simply put, if a bag is so heavy it is unsafe to lift, expect questions.
5. Is Priority worth it just for the extra cabin bag?
Priority allows a second 10 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) in the overhead locker and lets you use the priority queue. If you are close to the underseat limit, the extra space can make packing simpler and reduce the risk of a last-minute fee. It can also sell out, so booking early helps.
6. Can I bring a duty-free shopping bag as well as my cabin bags?
Yes. Ryanair states that a duty-free carrier bag is permitted in the cabin alongside your cabin baggage. Keep it in the shop bag so it’s clearly duty-free, and be ready to stow it neatly at your seat.