We will be traveling in the British Isles in May and I have been looking into flights on Ryan Air and Easy jet and am confused with the baggage charges . We do not plan to check bags, we each will be carrying one of Rick Steves convertible carry on bags - will we be charged for them and if so and would that prohibit us from online check in?
Posted by
Scotland
505 posts
Greetings
I don't know what the policies are now, but I seem to remember that Ryanair's online check-in only worked for EU citizens or EU residents - i.e. if you have a foreign passport it has to be checked at counter before you get on the flight. This would make sense as they need to make sure that you have the proper paperwork to travel between countries as some non-EU citizens need visas.
So, I would read the fine print to make sure you can check in on line.
Kate
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
There is no charge for carry-on baggage on either airline. See the following quotes from each airline's Web site.
easyJet: "one standard piece of hand baggage to maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm."
Ryanair: "Each passenger (excluding infants) is permitted to carry one piece of cabin baggage on board (free of charge). It should weigh no more than 10kg and not exceed the maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm."
Posted by
OP
Victoria, TX, USA
11 posts
Thanks Tim and Kate, I appreciate the info. Do you by any chance know if Gatwick has longterm storage for a large suitcase. My son will just be finishing a semester abroad at ND London and we are unsure of what to do with his large suitcase full of clothes while we are traveling for 2 weeks. I just mailed him a small 6 lb care package from Texas and it cost 45.00...although I guess I will explore the shipping home option as well.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The company that handles left luggage at London's airports and train stations also has long-term storage facilities at Earl's Court and Wembley. See here: www.excess-baggage.com/storage_services.php.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
As long as your bags are under 10 kg (22 lbs.) each, carrying them on should not be a problem on Ryan Air. EasyJet is generally looser on enforcement of specific limits and seemed more concerned with the size of carry-ons that their weight when I've flown them.
Posted by
OP
Victoria, TX, USA
11 posts
Tim, wow you are a wealth of information. I have just checked out the excess baggage website- perfect! One less thing to worry about. David, I appreciate your info about baggage weights as well. I have never used a helpline before, but I can tell it is going to make this trip a breeze.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
Kate is right, you cannot check in online with Ryanair unless you are an EU citizen. Just make sure your bags are within the weight limits for carryon and you'll be fine.