Avoid Ryanair charges with Antler’s ‘extremely roomy’ backpack (Image: Antler)If you’ve travelled with Ryanair recently, you’ll know the airline company has seemingly got stricter with their luggage allowances. No longer can you just turn up with any old carry-on case or backpack, instead you have to have one that fits their specific dimensions almost exactly: 40x20x25cm. In fact, one Mirror journalist reports she witnessed 12 people on her flight charged a £46 fee to check in their ‘slightly bigger’ bags when theirs didn’t fit these dimensions. Some even believed their cases would be small enough to carry on, but airport staff were adamant it was these dimensions or nothing. Writer Emily penned: “In the 15-or-so minutes until we were allowed to board, we saw plenty of others having to measure their cases and 12 (yes we counted) had to pay to upgrade when their bags didn’t fit. One woman with an over-stuffed backpack started pulling clothes out of her bag and shoving them on top of her outfit to lighten the load. It worked and she was allowed to go through without paying.”
The perfect Ryanair-approved carry-on bag
(Image: Antler)
So what’s the solution? Emily purchased a case specifically designed to fit the strict Ryanair size specifications. If you’re looking for something low-cost, she recommends Amazon’s Cabin Bag 40x20x25 Underseat Foldable Travel Duffel Bag, £9.99 here in 28 colour choices. Or, if you’re after something that will last you for years and double the amount of clothes you can build thanks to its clever compression straps, consider investing in Antler’s Chelsea Backpack in Woodland Green, £140 here. With hundreds of five-star reviews from travellers, you’re guaranteed to feel smug when you rock up to the check-in desks with it. One reviewer says: “Absolutely thrilled with the backpack which complements the hard case set I bought earlier in the year. Great for travelling, carries my laptop easily and all the handy pockets are fab. Also love the way it zips all the way and opens like a suitcase so everything is easily reachable. Awesome.” A second pens: “Beautiful material and very well made. Colour quite subtle! Great for a smaller hand luggage for long-haul flying. Superb all round bag,” while a third adds: “Love this backpack the material both inside and exterior is superior quality lightweight before filled with clothes.” The green colourway of this backpack has previously sold out due to popular demand, so if you want one for yourself, make haste!
Antler’s Icon Stripe Cabin Bag with expander is perfect for longer trips
(Image: Antler)
If you’re heading off for longer than a weekend and want a bit more space Emily also has a handy hack for Ryanair travellers: ” It costs from £6 to add a bigger cabin bag and upgrade to Priority Boarding when you book, so if you struggle to pack light, it might be worth doing so to save yourself 40 quid,” she advises. In this instance, we can’t recommend Antler’s Icon Stripe Cabin Bag with expander, £185 here, enough – which also comes in the chic green shade.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnShoppingTravel
