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Ryanair is increasing the bonus it pays to staff who catch passengers attempting to board with oversized cabin bags and removing monthly earning limits in the process. From November 2025, ground staff will receive €2.50 (£2.16) per oversized bag spotted, up from the current €1.50 (£1.29), with Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary unapologetically backing the move. The airline is also scrapping its €80 (£69) monthly cap on bag-related bonuses.

During a press conference in London, O'Leary said that around 200,000 passengers a year are penalised for failing to follow the luggage rules. He noted that while 99.9% of passengers comply without issue, the airline is cracking down on the small minority who are according to him "scamming the system" by bringing oversized bags.

Ryanair chief executive, Michael O'Leary, said: "I make absolutely no apology for it whatsoever. I want our ground handling people to be catching people who are scamming the system.

"I am still mystified by the number of people with rucksacks who still think they're going to get through the gate and we won't notice the rucksack. We will, and you will be paying for the rucksack. You're not getting on if it doesn't fit."

He added: "We want everybody to comply with the rules. If you comply with the rules, no issues. We are running a very efficient, very affordable, very low-cost airline, and we're not letting anybody get in the way."

Under Ryanair's current policy, all passengers can bring one small bag onboard (maximum 40 x 20 x 25cm) that fits under the seat. Larger cabin bags or trolleys require additional fees or priority boarding.

From September, however, the EU is adjusting the permitted dimensions to 40 x 30 x 20cm, though the total volume remains similar.

Travellers who show up at the gate with a bag too big face charges of up to £75, depending on the flight.

O'Leary criticised the EU's proposal in July to guarantee free cabin bags for all passengers.

He also said that after a 7% drop in fares last year, prices are likely to rise again this financial year and that around 70% of September seats have already been sold.