Ryanair will have staff to issue fines to passengers with oversized hand luggage: 'Absurd bad idea'

Friday, September 05, 2025 • 5:30 PM UTC - in Denmark

Ryanair to have staff distribute fines to passengers with oversized carry-ons: 'Absurd terrible idea'

Ryanair's increased bonus for staff who spot oversized carry-ons faces harsh criticism from the Consumer Council and Consumer Council Think.

Ryanair issues 200,000 fines annually to passengers with oversized carry-ons. 49 minutes ago

Ryanair is increasing (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/penge/ryanair-oeger-bonus-til-ansatte-der-spotter-stor-haandbagage) the bonus for employees who catch passengers with hand luggage that exceeds the limit.

From November, 21.5 DKK will be added to the paycheck of employees for each oversized carry-on they measure. Previously, the amount was 13 DKK.

Ryanair's staff can earn up to 700 DKK in carry-on baggage bonus per month. The ceiling is now removed, allowing the bonus amount to grow further.

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Mistreatment of passengers

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At Consumer Council Think, heads are shaking over Ryanair's bonus structure.

- It's cruel to have a business model that depends on the fine. Passengers are made to navigate through very confusing rules, and it can be assumed that they are not intentionally breaking the rules, says Vibeke Myrtue Jensen, who is a political advisor on transport at Consumer Council Think.

> When you add the element that passengers can suspect staff of cheating by making life difficult for them, it can escalate conflicts further.

> Henrik Meiner, HK Luftfart SAS

According to BBC (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99mdv3y431o), Ryanair issues 200,000 fines to customers each year for oversized carry-ons.

- When 200,000 people annually break their rules, it suggests that the rules are either unnecessary or unclear, says Vibeke Myrtue Jensen.

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Allowed size of free carry-on luggage

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The allowed size of free carry-on luggage on the cheapest tickets varies from airline to airline.

Here is how the rules are for the five airlines with the most departures in Denmark:

SAS: 40 times 30 times 15 centimeters.

Norwegian: 38 times 30 times 20 centimeters

Ryanair: 40 times 30 times 20 centimeters

KLM: 40 times 30 times 15 centimeters

Lufthansa: 55 times 40 times 23 centimeters + 40 times 30 times 10 centimeters

Sources: Airline websites.

If caught at the gate with a carry-on that is too large or heavy, one can expect a fine of up to 650 DKK from Ryanair. The fine seems high to Vibeke Myrtue Jensen.

- When the rules are unclear, and it seems almost like a business model, the high amount is problematic, she says.

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An already stressful work environment

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At HK Luftfart SAS, which is part of the union HK Privat, there is concern about the development.

- It's an absurd terrible idea. It will have a conflict-escalating effect, says Henrik Meiner, who is the general representative for HK Luftfart SAS.

When asked if it will make an already stressful work environment even worse in airports, Meiner replies:

- It is already an extremely stressful work environment. Passengers are stressed - they have to go through security, find their gate and make it on time. Our members are subjected to an incredible amount of harassment, bullying and threats on the job, he says.

Ryanair's director, Michael O'Leary, tells BBC that: - If people do not follow the rules and try to board with an oversized carry-on, we will catch you, and I look forward to rewarding and giving bonuses to our staff who identify these oversized items. (Photo: © TOLGA AKMEN, Scanpix Denmark)

According to Work Environment Authority (https://www.berlingske.dk/virksomheder/spytklatter-kaffekast-og-overfusninger-lufthavnspersonale-chikaneres-og-trues-af-passagerer), 48 percent of passenger service staff in Denmark have been subjected to harassment within the past 12 months. In the same period, 37 percent have been subjected to threats of violence at work.

- When you add the element that passengers can suspect staff of cheating by making life difficult for them, it can escalate conflicts further, says Meiner.

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A political and European issue

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The change in the airline's bonus structure is happening in parallel with a proposal in the EU that aims to standardize minimum sizes for free carry-on luggage.

In the proposal, it is stated that one should be able to bring a small suitcase of 40 times 30 times 15 centimeters across airlines.

At the same time, Ryanair is actually increasing the size of the free carry-on luggage. From now on, one can bring a suitcase of approximately 40 times 30 times 20 centimeters with them. This is reported by The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/05/ryanair-changed-cabin-baggage-rule-airlines-free-cabin-bag-eu?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

But it is not enough, according to Consumer Council Think.

- We are working with the other European consumer organizations to ensure that it is free to bring a smaller suitcase and a cabin suitcase of reasonable size. Courts have previously ruled that hand luggage is a necessary part of the journey, says Vibeke Myrtue Jensen.

And Sheila Rankilde, who is the second vice president of HK Luftfart agrees.

- We would like it to be resolved on a European level. It is a political issue. We would like to have standardized sizes and hand luggage included in the ticket price. It can help reduce conflicts and improve the work environment for our members, says she.

According to Sheila Rankilde, airlines are in a race to the bottom when it comes to extra fees.

- It has been an issue for a long time that airlines compete on how much luggage one can bring on a ticket, says she.

And even though it starts with airlines like Ryanair, it spreads to the rest of the industry.

- It is typically low-cost airlines that start these trends, just like with seat selection, which now also costs money. And then the other airlines follow, because it becomes a competition parameter, explains Sheila Rankilde.

DR has tried to get a comment from Ryanair, but they have not responded to our inquiry.

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