Flying with Ryanair has always had an emotional gym aspect: weighing your backpack, checking in before you get hit with a fee, and hoping the zipper doesn’t bulge at the boarding gate. But the latest updates make one thing clear: the company has made moves regarding luggage, boarding passes, and courts.
The Spanish precedent shaking Ryanair and the United Kingdom
The ruling that shook the industry last year
The Salamanca court condemned Ryanair to refund 147 euros to a passenger for improper charges of hand luggage on five flights taken between 2019 and 2024. The court considered that hand luggage is an essential and indispensable element of air transport, therefore the amount must be reimbursed with interest.
This decision made headlines in the British newspaper The Telegraph, which highlighted that hand luggage fees could soon be banned. British lawyers saw the ruling as a possible turning point for the whole sector.
Impact and reactions in the United Kingdom
Although 147 euros may seem irrelevant for a multi-million airline, the debate over additional fees is breaking new ground. The British, who are used to hellish queues at check-in and Ryanair boarding chaos, are closely following the effects of this ruling which could set a trend across Europe.
Industry sources explain that, although the elimination of these fees does not guarantee savings for all travelers, it could mean an increase in base fares to offset lost revenues.
How this affects trips from the Camp de Tarragona
Flights and connections to the United Kingdom
Residents of Tarragona planning trips to the United Kingdom, especially London, may soon see changing conditions for air transport. The Reus Airport, with regular connections to British cities, could benefit from a clearer system with fewer surprises at boarding.
Although Ryanair dominates the route, other low-cost and regular airlines might follow the same path if the precedent spreads.
The Spanish factor changing the rules of the game
Why are the Spanish the protagonists?
The legal action that started in Salamanca has opened the door to a European debate on airline fees. It is unusual for a local ruling to have such an international impact, but Ryanair has been one of the most common targets of Spanish consumers.
The fact that the judge defined hand luggage as essential paves the way to reconsider abusive practices by some airlines, especially low-cost ones.
But here lies the interesting part: the mere fact that the British look toward Spain using the phrase “we have to thank the Spanish” is an unexpected point of pride on the map of European travel.
Ryanair changes the rules of the game: more free bag, less paper, and the law looking toward low-cost
The main news for passengers is that the free personal bag allowed in the cabin now has maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 20 cm. Previously, the usual limit was 40 x 25 x 20 cm, so the change gives a bit more room to that low-cost backpack that always seemed on the edge of failure.
But let’s not get romantic: it must fit under the seat in front. This is the detail that decides everything. If the bag sticks out, puffs up like a badly closed croissant, or ends up in the overhead compartment without having paid for priority, Ryanair may consider it no longer a personal bag but a billable declaration of intent.
| Luggage type | Current size | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Free personal bag | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | Must go under the seat in front. |
| 10 kg cabin suitcase | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | Only with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags or equivalent fare. |
Ryanair itself explains its luggage policy on its official website, where it reminds that all fares include a small personal bag, but any additional or larger piece must be purchased separately. Updated information can be found here: official Ryanair luggage policy.
The paper boarding pass is becoming a thing of the past
The other important change is the transition to a 100% digital boarding pass. Ryanair indicates that passengers must check in online and show the code from the official app. Translation for humans: a charged mobile phone is now as important as your ID.
The company assures that this system reduces costs, facilitates incident management, and eliminates paper. But it also requires a bit more care: battery, app installed, logged in, and pass downloaded. The typical “no coverage” scene at the boarding queue is officially banned for the sake of self-respect.
Ryanair also foresees practical exceptions: if the passenger checked in online but loses their phone, it turns off, or they don’t have a device, the company says they can receive assistance at the airport. Still, the message is clear: arriving without having completed check-in continues to be costly.
The legal front: Ryanair gains ground in courts
The most delicate part is legal. The Brussels Labour Court has upheld Ryanair’s policy on cabin luggage and rejected claims that the airline is obliged to include a large overhead compartment suitcase within the basic ticket price. In short: the small bag under the seat yes; the overhead suitcase not necessarily free.
In Spain, the battle is not fully over. The multimillion-euro fines imposed on various low-cost airlines for practices such as charging for larger hand luggage or printing boarding passes have been suspended in some cases while appeals are resolved. In other words: there is a game, but Ryanair is currently playing with the wind in its favor.
For travelers, the conclusion is quite down-to-earth: before flying, you need to check sizes, fare, and check-in like someone checking if they turned off the gas. The new free bag gives a bit more margin, yes, but Ryanair remains Ryanair: an airline where every centimeter can have more consequences than a 6-euro coffee at the airport.
