Two million Ryanair passengers WON'T be hit by new baggage restrictions

Update 30 October: Ryanair's new hand luggage policy takes effect on 1 November. See our latest story for more information. 

Last month the airline announced major changes to its baggage policy, meaning that unless you pay at least £6 for priority boarding you'll only be able to take one handbag-sized carry-on onto the plane on flights from 1 November, and it must be kept in the cabin.

At the time they were announced, Ryanair said the changes applied to those who had already booked flights. Passengers were given the option to pay extra or cancel their booking for a refund. 

But Ryanair's now had a change of heart and says two million non-priority customers who booked flights by the end of August will be able to check a 10kg bag into the hold for free, though you'll need to do this BEFORE security at bag drop. 

Ryanair's also refunded priority boarding charges for 50,000 passengers who are flying from 1 November onwards, booked by the end of August and bought priority boarding between 1 and 6 September. They will still be allowed to travel with priority boarding free of charge.

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How are Ryanair's hand luggage rules changing?

The changes to Ryanair's luggage rules will apply to flights from 1 November. For full info see our Ryanair cuts its cabin baggage allowance again MSE News story, but here's a summary:

• Non-priority passengers will only be able to bring ONE small cabin bag onto the aircraft. This can measure up to 40cm x 20cm x 25cm (a small increase from the current 35cm x 20cm x 20cm) – it must go under the seat in front of you. You will not get a second bag free of charge, as you do now. 

  Confusingly, Ryanair has said its 'bag sizer' – the box used to measure your bags at the airport – will be increased to measure 42cm x 20cm x 30cm, which is slightly bigger than the permitted size for the free carry-on bag. This suggests there is some wiggle room, but it's best not to take any chances, because if you arrive at the airport and your bag is too big, you'll have to pay £25 to put it in the hold.

• Customers who pay at least £6 for priority boarding will see no change, except the maximum dimensions of their smaller bag will increase to 40cm x 20cm x 25cm. They can continue to bring two free carry-on bags (one 10kg wheelie bag and one small bag) into the cabin.

Priority boarding costs £6 at the time of booking, or you can add it at any point before your flight for £8. If non-priority customers want to put a 10kg bag into the hold they can pay £8 at the time of booking, or £10 to add this at any point after booking.

How two million can escape the new baggage rules

The latest U-turn announced by Ryanair applies to passengers who are flying from 1 November onwards and booked by the end of August.

Non-priority passengers who fall into this category will now be able to check in an extra bag. If you're one of the affected customers you should have had an email from the airline telling you that a 10kg checked bag has been added to your booking.

You won't be able to take this through security and then put it in the hold at the gate, as you can now. Instead you'll have to check this in when you first get to the airport. 

What does Ryanair say?

Ryanair's chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said: "All passengers booking our lowest fares after 31 August have chosen our £6 priority boarding fee (which allows them to bring two free carry-on bags) or have chosen our £8 (10kg) check-bag service, or have chosen to pay no optional extra but will travel with our generous small carry-on bag allowance – which has been increased by 40% – from 1 November.

"As always Ryanair continues to lower the cost of travel, while our new bag policy from 1 November means we can eliminate all free gate bags and related flight delays."