Ryanair introduced stricter rules on hand baggageWhich has caused a wave of criticism among travelers. A fresh policy means that only 1 part of luggage with maximum dimensions can be taken as a basic ticket 40x25x20 cm and weight up to 10 kg. Although the carrier has shown any flexibility in the past, it is now Any, even a minimum oversize can consequence in a fee even 300 zł.
This change forced many passengers to look for alternate solutions, and the marketplace rapidly responded to fresh needs. There are products in stores that aid fit into a restrictive framework, and their popularity grows overnight.
Complaints to the UOKiK and controversy around “testers”
According to information provided by Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (OCT), the office began to receive complaints from customers who pointed out that There are presently smaller sorters (testers) for checking luggage dimensions than before.
Kamila Guzowska from UOKiK confirmed that cases where The same suitcases that had previously passed through the check now do not fit in the altered testers. This leads to a situation in which passengers bear additional, frequently advanced costsEven though they haven't changed their travel equipment.
An example is the case Mrs. Marty.described by Electoral paper. Flying from Katowice to Bergamo with a ticket containing precedence entry and 2 pieces of baggage, she was forced to surcharge PLN 288 for a suitcase exceeding the permissible dimensions by just half a centimeter.
“This is absurd. I'm buying a ticket with extra baggage, and I inactive gotta pay due to the fact that the suitcase is minimally out of the tester. No 1 informs that the sorting machines are different now," said the passenger.
Clever sales hit solutions
The marketplace immediately responded to the restrictions. Trade networks specified as Action and Primark, have introduced products which have become a viral rescue for travellers:
- Vacuum backpacks – available in Action, among others. Air suction helps reduce baggage volume. These products They vanish from the shelves in a flash.
- Cases with detachable wheels – offered by Primark. This innovative approach solves a baggage problem that does not fit in the tester due to protruding wheels.
- Vacuum bags for clothing – available in many markets for approx. PLN 30. It's an inexpensive way to importantly reduce the volume of packed things.
Social media has footage of passengers who At airports, they break the wheels out of the suitcases.to fit them in the testers and avoid additional fees. This proves how far travelers have gone to bypass Ryanair’s fresh policy.
Will Ryanair go 1 step further?
The observed marketplace reaction and the passengers themselves may lead Ryanair to further tightening or updating of baggage control procedures. The question arises whether the carrier has exaggerated, shifting work to customers, and at the same time not giving adequate clarity about the changes.
From a legal point of view, Ryanair has the right to enforce its rules of procedure. However, lack of transparent communication and allegations of manipulation of sorting dimensions may affect the reputation of the company and the interest of regulators.
The fresh rules of Ryanair on hand baggage not only caused controversy, but besides have given impetus to innovative solutions in the travel accessories market. Although the carrier operates in accordance with the regulations, the expanding number of complaints and increasing interest in alternate packaging methods attest to growing client discontent.
Will Ryanair learn from this, or will passengers inactive gotta trust on clever tricks and modern gadgets? The coming months could bring another side to this dynamic conflict between regulation and consumer creativity.
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Ryanair tightens baggage controls and passengers counterattack. These gadgets are a hit.