Ryanair passengers face new airport rule from tomorrow and it means arriving earlier

Ryanair passengers are being warned about a new airport rule coming into force tomorrow, which could mean changing their usual travel routine.

From Tuesday, November 10, the budget airline is introducing a change to its airport check-in and bag-drop deadlines, giving some holidaymakers less time to hand over their luggage before their flight.

And if you're someone who likes to leave getting to the airport until the last minute, it's worth paying attention.

What is changing for Ryanair passengers?

Currently, Ryanair passengers who need to check in luggage can drop their bags at the airport up to 40 minutes before their scheduled departure time.

However, from tomorrow, that deadline is moving forward by 20 minutes, meaning bag-drop services will now close 60 minutes before departure.

The change applies across Ryanair's airports and will affect passengers checking in luggage, including those travelling with 10kg, 20kg or 23kg checked bags.

The airline says the move is designed to give passengers more time to get through airport security and passport control, particularly during busy travel periods when queues can quickly build up.

Ryanair's chief marketing officer, Dara Brady, said the change would give the 20% of passengers who check in luggage more time to reach their departure gates before boarding begins.

He also reminded passengers to arrive at the airport in good time and make sure their luggage has been dropped off before the new deadline.

Who will be affected by the new Ryanair rule?

The good news is that not everyone flying with Ryanair will need to change their plans.

The airline says around 80% of its passengers check in online and travel without checked luggage. These passengers won't be affected by the new 60-minute deadline.

So, if you're travelling with just your cabin bag, you can continue to check in online before arriving at the airport and head straight through security.

However, if you've paid extra to take a suitcase in the hold, you'll need to make sure you're at the bag-drop desk with plenty of time to spare.

It's also worth remembering that the new deadline is for handing over your luggage, not simply arriving at the airport. You'll still need to allow enough time to get through security and reach your departure gate.

Ryanair cabin bag rules explained

If you're planning to avoid checked luggage altogether, it's worth making sure your hand luggage fits within Ryanair's rules.

All passengers are entitled to take one small personal bag on board for free. This could be a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack, provided it measures no more than 40 x 30 x 20cm and fits underneath the seat in front of you.

If you want to take a larger cabin suitcase or backpack into the overhead locker, you'll need to purchase Ryanair's Priority & 2 Cabin Bags option.

This allows you to take an additional 10kg cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20cm, alongside your smaller underseat bag.

It's important to check the measurements before travelling, as bags that exceed your allowance could result in additional charges at the airport.

Amazon has some tempting deals on Ryanair cabin bags

If you've got a holiday coming up and want to avoid paying extra for checked luggage, now could be a good time to pick up a new cabin bag.

Amazon has a dedicated selection of Ryanair cabin bags, with a number of popular backpacks and underseat bags appearing in its deals listings.

I've spotted some particularly useful styles to look out for:

• Taygeer Cabin Backpack: A popular bestseller with multiple compartments, a separate shoe pouch and a wet pocket. Its 40 x 30 x 20cm dimensions are designed to fit Ryanair's free personal bag allowance.
• MATEIN Cabin Bag: This 24L travel backpack has a dedicated compartment for laptops up to 15.6 inches, a separate wet pocket for damp swimwear or toiletries, and plenty of smaller compartments to keep travel essentials organised.
• Cabin Max Cabin Suitcase: If you'd rather have a traditional wheeled suitcase than a backpack, this offers a generous 40L of packing space. It weighs just 2.2kg and comes with four smooth-rolling wheels, a telescopic handle and a built-in three-digit combination lock. Inside, there's a fully lined compartment with packing straps and a zipped divider to help keep everything organised.

You can browse Amazon's best-selling Ryanair cabin bags and current deals here.

There are backpacks, underseat holdalls and larger cabin cases to choose from, so it's worth comparing the measurements carefully before buying.

With some styles available at reduced prices, you could save yourself a bit of money while getting organised for your next trip too.

Just remember that a bag advertised as suitable for Ryanair isn't necessarily eligible to travel for free. Always check whether it measures 40 x 30 x 20cm or whether it requires the additional Priority baggage allowance.

Ultimately, if you're flying with Ryanair from tomorrow, the biggest thing to remember is to allow extra time if you're checking in a suitcase. And if you're travelling hand-luggage-only, make sure your bag fits the airline's dimensions before setting off for the airport.