What hand baggage? (Ryanair Vs others)

[andy43]

RichFN2 said:

I fly budget airlines mainly for European city breaks. Your safest bet is to buy a cheap bag on Amazon that was designed to meet the carry on dimensions of Ryanair or Wizz Air (that's what I bought)

Otherwise a small rucksack or day bag will be fine if it's soft and can be squeezed into the cage they use for checking.

They will only pull you up on your carry on if they suspect it's too big, if it's only slightly over you will be unlucky but they will catch several people per flight and have the card machine ready.

That’s what we do - cheap Amazon bags that’ll fit the airlines requirements. Carryon wins over hold luggage every time even if the add on cost is similar - no hold checkin and collection saves time at both ends.
The standard free under seat ryanair bag is the size of a shoebox but if needed we reserve seats and get priority queue and a bigger overhead locker case included - 30 quid or so per person. You can select overhead and priority for individual travellers if you don’t all need the extra space but it’s not as obvious on the Ryanair website.

[C70GT]

I have a rucksack similar too this: https://aeroliteluggage.co.uk/collections/backpack... Had it about 5 years and fly Ryanair/Jet2 4 -5 times a year. Very light and strong and never been stopped or asked to put in the measuring gauge. This normally goes in the overhead locker and I have a small 'doctor's' type bag that goes under the seat. Again by Aerolite.

[daqinggregg]

According to CNN Travel, this is a 'holiday packing hack', do let us know how you get on.

[RichFN2]

andy43 said:

RichFN2 said:

I fly budget airlines mainly for European city breaks. Your safest bet is to buy a cheap bag on Amazon that was designed to meet the carry on dimensions of Ryanair or Wizz Air (that's what I bought)

Otherwise a small rucksack or day bag will be fine if it's soft and can be squeezed into the cage they use for checking.

They will only pull you up on your carry on if they suspect it's too big, if it's only slightly over you will be unlucky but they will catch several people per flight and have the card machine ready.

That’s what we do - cheap Amazon bags that’ll fit the airlines requirements. Carryon wins over hold luggage every time even if the add on cost is similar - no hold checkin and collection saves time at both ends.
The standard free under seat ryanair bag is the size of a shoebox but if needed we reserve seats and get priority queue and a bigger overhead locker case included - 30 quid or so per person. You can select overhead and priority for individual travellers if you don’t all need the extra space but it’s not as obvious on the Ryanair website.

I forgot to add I also have a bag that meets the size requirements for free hand luggage with all the budget airlines.

Only ideal for 3 nights max if you pack carefully, but the bag was only £15 on Amazon and it fits perfectly under the seat. Does make for speedy boarding though and makes those £45 flights very tempting for a quick city break

[Bill]

C70GT said:

I have a rucksack similar too this: https://aeroliteluggage.co.uk/collections/backpack... Had it about 5 years and fly Ryanair/Jet2 4 -5 times a year. Very light and strong and never been stopped or asked to put in the measuring gauge. This normally goes in the overhead locker and I have a small 'doctor's' type bag that goes under the seat. Again by Aerolite.

Isn't that the under seat one?

[pitlane]

Ryanair are one of the most likely to be checking measurements, as it's an easy source of extra revenue. From the UK to Spain the best option if you want to push it is Vueling, they tend to be the most relaxed on it.

As someone said already, for a week away with kids I'd just go for a checked case. Into Malaga for example by the time you have got through the passport queue your bag will probably be waiting on the conveyer, so it's no extra time, just some extra cost, but it will save a world of hassle and you can relax boarding without having to stress if they are going to measure your bag or not.