Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier, will require passengers checking in bags to arrive at the bag drop counter 20 minutes earlier than before, starting November 10. The airline will close its check-in and bag drop services 60 minutes before scheduled departure, a shift from the previous 40-minute cutoff.
The move is designed to give travelers more time to navigate airport security and passport control queues, which have lengthened across the continent following the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES, which digitally registers non-EU travelers entering and exiting the Schengen Area, has caused bottlenecks at major hubs like Frankfurt, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam Schiphol.
Ryanair's Chief Marketing Officer Dara Brady explained the rationale: “This will allow these 20% of our customers (who check in a bag) more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on-time, especially during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer.”
The change does not affect passengers traveling with only a small personal bag—typically a 40 x 30 x 20 cm item that fits under the seat. Those customers can continue to check in online and proceed directly to the departure gate, bypassing the bag drop entirely.
Self-Service Kiosks and Baggage Policy
To ease the transition, Ryanair is installing additional self-service bag-drop kiosks at more than 95% of the airports it serves, with completion expected by October. These kiosks are integrated with the Ryanair app, allowing passengers to check bags and print tags without waiting in line for staffed counters.
The airline's baggage policy remains unchanged. Standard fares include only a small personal bag. For an additional fee—ranging from €6 to €36 depending on route and travel dates—passengers can bring a 10 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm). Checked luggage options include 10 kg, 20 kg, and 23 kg bags, starting at €9.49, €18.99, and €29.99 respectively.
The timing of the policy shift coincides with broader pressures on European aviation. Airlines across the continent are grappling with rising operational costs, including a jet fuel crisis that threatens summer flights and has already forced some carriers to cut routes. Meanwhile, the push for sustainable aviation fuel is emerging as a strategic priority for European airlines, though its adoption remains limited.
Ryanair's decision also reflects a broader industry trend: airlines are tightening check-in deadlines to reduce delays caused by passengers arriving late at the gate. While the new rule may inconvenience some travelers, the carrier argues it will ultimately improve on-time performance, a key metric for budget airlines.
Passengers flying from airports in the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and the Balkans—where Ryanair operates extensively—should note that the 60-minute cutoff applies to all bag drop services, regardless of destination. The airline advises travelers to factor in extra time for security and passport checks, particularly during peak travel periods.
