Travelers flying with Ryanair are facing stricter requirements for luggage check-in as the airline has officially adjusted its airport service policies. Effective November 10th, passengers are required to drop off any checked luggage at the airline’s airport service desks no later than 60 minutes before their scheduled departure time. This represents a notable shift from the previous policy, which permitted these services to remain open until 40 minutes before flight times.
The airline stated that this decision is designed to ensure that passengers who need to check bags have sufficient time to navigate through airport security and passport control. By providing this additional buffer, the company aims to assist travelers in reaching their departure gates before the boarding process begins. According to the airline, this policy change is intended to reduce the frequency of passengers missing their flights due to congestion at security or passport checkpoints.
These operational adjustments come as many European airports continue to experience extended waiting times, partly due to the implementation of EES checks. Recent media accounts have documented instances where travelers were left behind despite having already checked their luggage, largely due to these security-related delays.
Approximately 20 percent of Ryanair's total passenger base checks in baggage, meaning the remaining 80 percent of travelers will not be affected by the new rule. This update follows a previous policy shift last year, when the airline ended the practice of issuing free printed boarding passes. Passengers are currently required to check in online or via the mobile app to avoid incurring fees for printing tickets at the airport counter. Additionally, CEO Michael O'Leary recently indicated to investors that airfares across Europe could see double-digit price increases in 2027, largely driven by elevated fuel costs.
This means that passengers are required to hand over any checked luggage at the Ryanair service desks at the airport at least an hour before their flight. Previously these services remained open until at least 40 minutes before flights' scheduled departure.
About 20 percent of Ryanair passengers check in baggage. The remaining 80 percent of passengers who don’t check in bags will be unaffected by the change.
