Those rushing to the terminal to drop off their checked baggage and then head to the gate will need careful planning: From November 10, Ryanair will close the bag drop, i.e., the delivery of hold luggage, 60 minutes before the flight’s departure and no longer 40 minutes before.
Those 20 minutes less might seem a small delta, but with a bit of traffic, a late shuttle, or longer lines at the airport the impact could be felt, especially during peak periods.
Changes to the Delivery of Hold Luggage
The new limit will apply at all airports served by the airline. From November 10, those who must drop a bag in hold have to go to the airport earlier because the bag drop will close 60 minutes before the flight. Here’s a concrete example: your flight takes off at 3:00 PM? The bag drop will close at 2:00 PM, whereas until November 9 the limit would have been 2:20 PM. Arriving at 2:05 PM with your trolley ready and best smile might not save you.
The decision, in reality, isn’t entirely new: as anticipated in the article about Ryanair’s new check-in rules, the update had been announced back in April. Now, with the date approaching, the airline has returned to the topic to avoid surprises for travelers.
But why bring forward the closing? The airline aims to offer more margin after the luggage handover: security checks, possible passport verification, and the walk to the gate can take quite a bit of time, especially when the airport is busy or very large. According to the company, this small change should help further reduce cases of people missing their flight because they get stuck in line.
How to Prepare for the New Rule
The change affects only those traveling with checked luggage, i.e., about 20% of Ryanair customers. The other 80%, according to the data, are used to traveling with carry-on luggage and thus are not touched by the change. Plan your route to the airport with a realistic margin, account for the queues at the desk, and check in advance terminal and required documents. If you can, arrive well ahead of time rather than aiming for the last minute: 60 minutes is the closing deadline, not the recommended time to enter the airport.
Watch out for the self-service bag drop stations, planned as part of the airline’s digitization plan at many airports. They can streamline the process, but do not change the deadline. And before you depart, check the communications related to your flight: any specific instructions always take precedence.
What Happens if You Arrive After the Closing?
If you arrive after the closing, it is not possible to check the bag and you will need to make alternative arrangements, for example traveling only with carry-on luggage and asking someone who remains in the city to come and collect your bag. Also be mindful of flight refunds: when the error is yours the airline is not responsible.
Dara Brady, chief marketing officer of Ryanair, commented on the news as follows: “From Tuesday, November 10, bag drop desks at all Ryanair-served airports will close 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time, instead of the current 40 minutes. This small change will give the 20% of Ryanair passengers who check in hold luggage more time to clear security and passport controls and reach the departure gate before boarding begins, especially during peak periods when queues at the airport can be longer.”
