Ryanair has abandoned its controversial web check-in fee for passengers with a single item of hand luggage. At the same time it has raised the charges for passengers who are undecided on their luggage requirements at the time of booking.
Under the old system, Ryanair promoted an online check-in system, but charged a fee when making a reservation. If passengers decided to bypass airport queues typically 24 hours (as with other carriers), prior to departure and had not paid the charge, they had to use the airport check-in system.
The new arrangement means web check-in will be free for passengers travelling with hand luggage only and will also include free priority boarding at the departure gate.
Passengers using the new service, known as ”Check'N Go”, arriving at the airport with hand baggage that exceeds the maximum weight and dimensions, will be required to check-in their baggage at a charge of ”10 (”14.70) per item of baggage and will be issued a boarding card for a fee of ”2 (”3).
Check-in desks close 40min prior to scheduled flight departure time.
However, a passenger with hand luggage that meets the government size rules can proceed straight to the gate, where there is usually no hand luggage check.
The new system will be introduced on the Ryanair booking system from 20 September, this year.
Ryanair”s hand baggage allowance still stands at 10kg (22lb) for the single item allowed, unlike easyJet that does not have a weight restriction. For checked-in baggage, the limit is just 15kg (with most airlines it is 20kg) and there is an excess charge of ”5.50 for each kg exceeding the limit.