New Ryanair bag checks set to provoke 'unruly passengers' warns travel expert

As Ryanair vows to enforce stricter cabin luggage checks on its passengers, an aviation official has warned this could lead to additional problems on board. 

It comes as the carrier's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, pledged to increase the bonus for gate staff who spot oversized bags.

Starting in November, employees who identify bags that exceed the 40x30x20 centimetre limit will see their bonuses raised from €1.50 (£1.31) to €2.50 (£2.18) per item.

The incentive was previously capped at €80 (£68.98) a month - now, the cap is set to be scrapped.  

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary shared he makes 'absolutely no apology' for catching people who are 'scamming the system.' 

He said at a recent press conference in London: 'I am still mystified by the number of people with rucksacks who still think they're going to get through the gate and we won't notice the rucksack.

'We will, and you will be paying for the rucksack. You're not getting on if it doesn't fit.'

Passengers in all airports across Europe will face fees of up to £75 for putting an oversized bag in the hold if it is brought to the boarding gate.

But chairman of German cabin crew union UFO, Joachim Vazquez Bürger, has warned the new scheme could provoke 'unruly' flyers, as reported by Airliners. 

He said: 'You spoil the mood before the flight even begins when you go after already stressed passengers.'

This could spell further bad news for passengers who kick up a fuss over the charges, as Ryanair introduced a €500 fine for flyers removed from flights over unruly behaviour. 

The airline cited a rise in disruptive behaviour, often alcohol-related, as the reason for the new charges, which came into effect in June 2025.   

Europe’s largest carrier, which takes thousands of revellers to resorts and cities across Europe and beyond every year, said it would now come down on hard on those who stop other passengers enjoying a stress-free flight.

A statement released by Michael O'Leary's airline said: 'Passengers expect to travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment with an on-time arrival, free from unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers.'

A spokesperson for Ryanair added: 'It is unacceptable that passengers are made to suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger’s behaviour'.

Travellers who become aggressive towards staff or display drunken behaviour that compromises the safety of others will be offloaded and then sent a bill.

The carrier said: 'Ryanair is committed to tackling unruly passenger behaviour for the benefit of its passengers and crew, and will continue to pursue disruptive passengers for civil damages, but at a minimum, they will now be issued with a £500 fine.'

Last month, a British woman was filmed being dragged off a Ryanair flight and thrown to the floor by security staff after she allegedly assaulted passengers and forced the plane to divert to Portugal. 

Footage showed a woman being led off the grounded plane by several members of staff, after the flight from Tenerife to Glasgow Prestwick was diverted on May 18th.

A second video showed the woman being led outside the plane on the tarmac of the Portuguese airport.

Read more

• What drastic measure is Ryanair's Michael O'Leary ready to enforce to curb chaos caused by rowdy passengers?
• Is Ryanair's £500 fine for 'unruly behavior' a harsh crackdown or necessary to ensure a peaceful flight?
• How is Ryanair planning to tackle disruptive passengers with tough new penalties?
• What prompted furious reactions as Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary boosts bonuses for staff catching oversized bags?
• Will Ryanair's crackdown on 'unruly passengers' with hefty fines finally put an end to mid-flight chaos?