Top News

Ryanair might be known for some relatively cheap flights (provided you book them far enough in advance), but one thing the airline isn't known for is its generous free hand luggage allowance. While the airline has announced plans to increase its free cabin bag size by the end of the summer (to 40 x 30 x 20cm), until then, passengers not wanting to pay extra will have to stick to the current restrictions of 40 x 20 x 25cm.

Now, there are plenty of bags online claiming to fit the allowance set out by the Irish airline, but the question is just how many of them really do what they say on the tin? We enlisted our Dublin-based Showbiz reporter, Fran Winston, who regularly commutes between her home city and London with Ryanair, to see just how many of these bags actually fit the size, are decent quality and have enough space for all of the essentials.

According to Fran, these three allowed her to "swerve" all excess baggage fees.

Perhaps the favourite bag out of the three Fran put to the test is the Hayayu holdall because of its versatility. The best thing about this one is that not only does it fit Ryanair's free hand luggage size, but it also has an expandable compartment that, when unzipped, means it can grow from 45 x 36 x 20cm to fit easyJet's slightly larger hand luggage allowance.

Based on previous customer reviews, the bag, which usually retails for £29.92, has a rating of 4.6 out of five stars on Amazon.

One of the first things Fran liked about it was its stylish appearance, as it comes in a choice of colours (green, grey, white, blue, black and pink). Fran opted for the pale pink one, though in hindsight, she admits the black may be the most practical for keeping clean while travelling.

The second thing that caught her attention was how big it actually looked. "When the bag arrived, I measured it because it looked much larger than the bags I had previously tested," she said. "I was concerned that it might be too big, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it met Ryanair's requirements."

Yet despite fitting the airline's compact measurements, Fran says the holdall is actually rather spacious. The task was to pack everything she needed for an overnight work trip. "Of course, I needed my laptop, which at 15.6" has caused me trouble with carry-on bags before, as they all seem to be designed for a 13.3" machine," she said.

Of all the bags Fran tested, this was the only one that fit her slightly larger laptop.

"I also needed to bring a smart blazer to throw over my shirt when I got there, pyjamas, a clean top, clean underwear, toiletries, some accessories and my trusty hoody. While this is less than I would usually pack for a work trip, the blazer and hoodie were quite bulky. However, to my surprise, the bag closed easily, and I even had room for a water bottle."

She added: "With clever packing, you could easily fit four or five days' clothes in." However, its expandable nature has a downside. Fran explained: "The temptation to overstuff this is huge, but if you can be disciplined, this is perfect for those short breaks or work trips."

Once at the airport, Fran was pleased to find the holdall fit perfectly in the Ryanair luggage sizer and under the seat in front onboard the aircraft.

Fran also liked its size and the addition of compartments to help with organisation while in transit. These include internal and external pockets, as well as a security pocket integrated into the strap.

"It is fully lined, and one of the internal pockets also has a heavier waterproof plastic lining, which makes it ideal for chargers and other small electrical items," she said. "The handles are reinforced with a leather strip, which looks incredibly stylish and ensures they won't fray or snap."

• Read Fran's full, in-depth review of the Hayayu holdall here

Fran admits she prefers a rucksack to a holdall or bag you might throw over your shoulder, so it's perhaps no surprise the VMIKIV backpack was her second favourite based purely on how comfortable it was to carry. She explained: "Unlike many backpacks, it doesn't drag down, and if you are zooming between appointments and want to keep your hands free, this is ideal."

However, on arrival, she was a little sceptical that it would fit everything she needed for her work trip. "My first thought was that it looked quite small, but when I opened the bag out and unzipped all the pockets, it was deceptively capacious," she said.

The bag measures 40 x 20 x 25cm, which is exactly the size specified by Ryanair for a free luggage item (before the new measurements come into place later this year).

"As well as the main compartment - which has straps to compress clothes like a regular suitcase - there is a section with subpockets for accessories or documents; a roomy zip pocket on the front of the bag; a laptop pocket designed to fit 13.3" computer, and a zipped security pocket in the back, ideal for keys and passport."

She was able to pack all of her clothes and toiletries for a one-night trip without the need for any packing tricks, though Fran did run into a problem when trying to fit her laptop into the pocket. "As expected, my laptop didn't fit," she said.

"To be fair, this is an issue I tend to encounter on all Ryanair-friendly bags and not a reason to dismiss this. However, given that my laptop is only 38mm across, slightly less padding in the pocket would have ensured it fit."

Luckily, the main compartment was spacious enough to fit her laptop, while the pocket was useful for storing electronic accessories and a book.

Fran said: "I was a bit apprehensive as I put the bag into the Ryanair sizer, and I was very relieved when it fit-although I did take a water bottle out of the pocket as it wouldn't have met guidelines with it in."

Fran also commended the "good quality and heavyweight fabric" and the "sturdy" padded straps.

"For just over £20, this is a workhorse of a bag. You get a lot of bang for your buck," she said. However, the downside is that you will need to be careful not to overpack the front and side pockets.

"That aside, this is definitely one of my new favourite bags for travelling," Fran concluded.

• You can read Fran's full, in-depth review of the VMIKIV backpack here

The Narwey duffel bag has become a social media hit in recent years, mostly due to its low price. Depending on the colour you opt for (the bag comes in eight shades), it retails between £15.99 and £20.99 full price, though it's often on sale on the Amazon website.

"My immediate thought was that the bag felt surprisingly robust for the price," said Fran. "It's made from a heavyweight fabric with sturdy-looking stitching and zips. The shoulder strap is secured with metal hardware, but the top straps struck me as too short."

However, Fran wasn't convinced it would be big enough to fit everything she needed for a work trip. She was pleased to find a reassuring amount of space inside, as it is essentially one large, unlined compartment, though Fran was let down to see there was no laptop pouch, security pocket or anywhere to store a water bottle.

Despite this, she was able to bundle everything she needed into the main compartment, but admittedly it took some packing tricks and sacrificing a pair of shoes she had planned on taking. "My laptop was also a bit of an issue," Fran said. "It wouldn't sit completely flush, so I had to pack it at an angle. This meant I was packing clothes on either side of it, but it served as padding and protection for the laptop, so it worked out well."

Even with precision packing, though, zipping the bag up was an issue. "I knew if I took anything out, I would have to repack, as everything had to sit a specific way to ensure it fit," said Fran. "My prediction proved correct once I got past security. After taking my laptop out to work, I could not close the bag again and had to repack it."

Luckily, she was relieved to find the Narwey slotted into the luggage sizer (when packed correctly, that is) and under the seat in front when on board her flight, though it was tight. "I think the smallest extra item would have tipped it into paying-Priority territory," Fran said.

The biggest problem, though, is the handles. Fran says the top straps are too short to actually carry the bag when it is full, but the long strap is too lengthy to carry comfortably.

• You can read Fran's full in-depth review of the Narwey duffle bag here

Of course, plenty of other brands offer Ryanair-sized luggage that claim to fit the free allowance of 40 x 20 x 25cm. We've rounded up a few additional options below.

Ryanair is set to roll out changes to its hand luggage allowance by the end of summer 2025, but until then, the usual regulations remain.

Your free luggage item must be fairly small (think handbag or laptop size) and no more than 40 x 20 x 25cm.

If you want to take anything larger in the cabin, you'd best pay for a Priority fare. This allows you to carry a small personal bag (40 x 20 x 25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you, plus a 10kg bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20cm on board to be stored in the overhead locker. As a bonus, Priority means you can board the plane first using the Priority Boarding queue at the gate.

If you show up at the boarding gate with and oversized bag, paying for Priority can set you back between £20 and £60 at the airport. If your luggage needs to go into the hold (either because Priority is sold out or it is too big for the cabin), you could face last-minute fees of up to £75.

If you're looking to take checked baggage with you, it's best to purchase it online before your flight. Passengers can pay in advance for hold items up to 20kg. The price can vary from £18.99 to £59.99, depending on when you purchase it.

In July, Ryanair announced plans to increase its free hand luggage allowance in line with new European regulations. The increase of approximately 20% is due to a proposed law change among EU airlines, allowing passengers more free baggage (a minimum of 40 x 30 x 15cm). At the time, a Ryanair spokesperson said: "This change will be implemented over the coming weeks, as our airport bag sizers are adjusted."

When the new change takes effect, passengers will be able to take a bag measuring 40 x 30 x 20cm onboard free of charge. As part of a joint statement from A4E airlines, Ryanair added: "All A4E airlines will roll out the guaranteed dimensions and have them in place by the end of the 2025 summer season."

READ NEXT

• I tried a £22 Ryanair cabin bag that swerves all fees - and it surprised me
• Ryanair and easyJet expandable bag that 'avoids extra charges' is on sale for £14
• Ryanair free hand luggage rule set for major change - everything you need to know
• This Antler suitcase is my go-to for long holidays - now it's almost £100 cheaper
• I wear this luxury sunscreen every day - but I've found a way to get it for £16 or less

---