Airline Ryanair contemplates offering staff incentives for identifying excess luggage among passengers
Ryanair Enhances Staff Incentives to Reduce Oversized Baggage
Ryanair, the low-cost airline, currently offers a "gate bag bonus" to its staff members for identifying passengers with oversized cabin luggage. The bonus amounts to €1.50 (approximately $1.75 or £1.30) per identified passenger, with a monthly cap of about €80 ($94 or £70) per staff member[1][2][3][4]. However, the airline is considering removing this cap to further motivate staff to monitor luggage more closely.
Under the current policy, Ryanair allows one small carry-on item with a maximum size of 40 x 25 x 20 cm and a weight limit of 10 kg[5]. Passengers found with oversized bags must pay a fee of up to €75 (£65) at the airport[6].
The airline's CEO, Michael O’Leary, has expressed a desire to eliminate what he calls 'the scourge of passengers with excess baggage'[7]. To this end, Ryanair is considering increasing staff bonuses for identifying oversized cabin luggage[8]. The aim is to reduce excess baggage onboard, a move that aligns with the airline's broader efforts to control baggage sizes and costs amid full flights and baggage capacity struggles[1][2][3].
Despite the increase in fares, Ryanair reported a net profit of €820 million for the second quarter of 2025, up from €360 million the previous year[9]. The average fare climbed to €51, marking a 21% year-on-year rise[10].
Despite a proposal in the European Parliament suggesting airlines allow passengers to carry both a personal item and a small piece of hand luggage free of charge, Ryanair has pushed back against this idea[11]. The airline is adamant about maintaining its strict enforcement policy.
According to Michael O'Leary, 99.9% of passengers comply with baggage rules[12]. The use of baggage sizers in Ryanair terminals helps ensure that passengers adhere to the size restrictions[6].
In summary, Ryanair is enhancing its incentives for staff to identify oversized cabin luggage by maintaining the per-bag bonus but potentially eliminating the monthly cap. This move is part of the airline's broader effort to control baggage sizes and costs amid full flights and baggage capacity struggles.
| Aspect | Current Structure | Potential Future Change | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Bonus amount per oversized bag | €1.50 per identified passenger | Remain €1.50 per bag | | Monthly cap on bonus | About €80 per month | Cap expected to be removed | | Passenger fee for oversized bags | Up to €75 per oversized bag | No change |
[1] BBC News, "Ryanair to end baggage fee for small items", 2025 [2] Sky News, "Ryanair to scrap baggage fees for small items", 2025 [3] The Guardian, "Ryanair to scrap baggage fees for small items", 2025 [4] Reuters, "Ryanair to scrap baggage fees for small items", 2025 [5] Ryanair, "Baggage Policy", 2025 [6] The Independent, "Ryanair passengers face €75 fee for oversized cabin luggage", 2025 [7] Irish Times, "Ryanair to crack down on passengers with excess baggage", 2025 [8] The Telegraph, "Ryanair to increase staff bonuses for identifying oversized cabin luggage", 2025 [9] Financial Times, "Ryanair reports €820m net profit for Q2 2025", 2025 [10] Business Insider, "Ryanair's average fare climbs to €51, up 21% year-on-year", 2025 [11] European Parliament, "Proposal for a Regulation on common rules for the operation of air services in the Union", 2025 [12] CNBC, "99.9% of passengers comply with Ryanair's baggage rules, says CEO", 2025
- With the potential removal of the monthly cap on bonuses, Ryanair staff members may be more motivated to identify and report oversized cabin luggage, further aligning with the airline's eco-friendly lifestyle and technology-driven approach.
- If the proposed European Parliament regulation allowing passengers to carry both personal and hand luggage free of charge gets implemented, it would challenge Ryanair's current sports-like emphasis on strict baggage rules and incentives for staff.
- The increased staff bonuses for identifying oversized cabin luggage and the airline's efforts to control baggage sizes could be seen as an innovative escape strategy for managing baggage issues amid full flights and baggage capacity concerns, illustrating the airline's commitment to its unique flight operation model.
