From Tuesday, 10 November, Ryanair will close airport check-in and hold baggage drop 60 minutes before the scheduled departure, instead of 40 minutes as before. The change applies to all airports the airline serves.
The new limit means a suitcase has to be handed over 20 minutes earlier. For a flight at 14:00, the counter will close at 13:00, not 13:20. As FTNnews reports, the rules on baggage dimensions, weight and allowances remain unchanged.
Why the change
The airline announced the change in April and is now reminding passengers of the approaching deadline. According to the Italian daily „Il Mattino”, the change was explained by Dara Brady, Ryanair’s marketing director. The aim is to give passengers with hold luggage more time for security and passport control and to reach the gate before boarding begins. Brady said the extra time would be especially useful at peak times, when queues are longer.
Who is affected
The airline estimates that around 20 percent of its passengers check in bags, so this group will feel the change. Others, who travel with cabin baggage only and check in online, can go straight to security. Online check-in still closes two hours before departure (according to FTNnews). The new rule also applies to people who have already checked in via the app if they want to drop a suitcase at the airport.
According to The Traveler, which cites Ryanair’s conditions of carriage, a passenger who does not complete check-in on time may not be allowed on board, with no refund for the ticket.
What it means for passengers from Poland
The change applies to Ryanair flights from Polish airports and from airports abroad, including return flights. When booking travel after 10 November, for example for the holidays, add 20 minutes to your planned travel time to the airport. At large airports during the pre-Christmas season, it is worth leaving a larger margin. This applies to all tickets for flights from 10 November, including those bought earlier.
You can avoid arriving earlier by travelling with cabin baggage only, within the airline’s limits. Note, however, that cabin baggage larger than the permitted size may be moved to the hold for an additional fee.
