Ryanair baggage fee increase announced as customers brand price hike a 'rip off'

Budget airline Ryanair charges extra for a 10kg cabin bag, unless customers pay for Priority boarding, and the cost of doing so has increased in recent days

Ryanair has revamped its pricing for those wishing to take a larger cabin bag on board. At present, flyers must fork out for Priority boarding to bring along a 10kg suitcase.

If not opting for Priority, travellers are limited to a small personal item measuring no more than 40x20x25cm, which comes at no extra cost with their ticket. The price for Priority, allowing both a small personal item and a 10kg case up to 55x40x20cm, ranges from £6 to £36 when tacked onto the initial flight fare.

The airline charges a higher fee for Priority upgrades made after booking or at the airport. Previously, Ryanair's website stated these fees as £20 to £38, but they've now been hiked to between £20 and £60, reports Birmingham Live.

In response to queries about the price hike, Ryanair pointed to this section of its luggage policy: "Fee varies depending on the route and travel dates selected."

"Non-priority customers who have not added a bag to their booking can still purchase a 10kg Check-in bag at the airport bag drop desk for €/£ 35.99. Non-priority customers who bring their 10kg Check-in bag to the boarding gate may check it in against payment of a fee of €/£ 46.00 - €/£ 60.00."

A representative from the airline also noted: "This is to align with the gate bag fee if passengers choose to bring their 10kg to the boarding gate and want to carry it on board, then they are subject to a gate fee."

Frustrated Ryanair customers have taken to Twitter to vent about the airline's additional fees for services that include airport check-in, printing boarding passes and preferred seating arrangements.

Several users blasted the airline for its extra costs, labelling them a 'rip off'. @ColinScunner vented: "So @Ryanair have put the price of Priority boarding up from £26 to £40 ... rip off ... everything extra, so you book your flight then it's add on after add on after add on. Before you know it you're another £100 out of pocket."

Another exasperated customer, @Sickboy_Mcsatan, advised people: "Just avoid Ryanair if you can, they make EasyJet seem luxurious and customer-friendly. They charge extra for *every* little thing, I'll never use them again if there's an alternative."

Andy Holmes chimed in with his experience, saying: "Cheap flights can still be found but not many. Adding priority really brings up the price. Can use a tiny bag for a two-day trip but usually need a trolley bag and therefore priority is required and sometimes it costs more than the ticket."

In related news, the Brixham Cabin Bag from the upscale luggage brand Antler, just the right size for Ryanair's Priority 10kg bag allowance, has been marked down by £51 in a special sale offer.

For those seeking cost-effectiveness, Amazon's KLOSTAIN Cabin Bag fits snugly under airplane seats and is a suitable personal item for Ryanair flights, now discounted to £22.09 for a short period.