Ryanair Introduces Higher Bonuses for Staff Catching Oversized Luggage
Ryanair, the well-known budget airline, has announced plans to increase financial incentives for its employees who identify passengers attempting to bring oversized luggage onto flights. This move comes as a response to recent revelations about how staff can earn significant additional income by enforcing the airline’s strict baggage policies.
Previously, employees were reported to make up to €80 per month from catching passengers with oversized bags. However, this cap is now set to be removed, signaling a shift in the company’s approach. The airline's CEO, Michael O’Leary, has made it clear that he has no regrets about this policy, stating that it is necessary to prevent passengers from “scamming the system.”
At a press conference held in central London, O’Leary confirmed that the airline intends to raise the bonuses for gate staff who intercept passengers trying to bring oversized luggage onboard. The proposed increase would see the bonus per bag rise from €1.50 to €2.50 starting in November. This change aims to encourage more proactive enforcement of the airline’s rules.
Passengers traveling with Ryanair are subject to strict luggage regulations, with fees of up to £75 for oversized items brought to the boarding gate. Only one small bag that fits under the seat is included in the lowest fare options. O’Leary emphasized that he has no apologies for these measures, stating that the goal is to ensure that everyone complies with the rules.
He noted that many passengers still believe they can sneak large rucksacks through security without being caught. “We will notice, and you will be paying for the rucksack. You're not getting on if it doesn't fit,” he said. According to O’Leary, approximately 200,000 passengers per year are charged luggage fees at airport gates, and he believes there is more work to be done to eliminate such cases.
Ryanair, which carried 200 million passengers in the year ending March, maintains that it is running an efficient and affordable airline. “We want everybody to comply with the rules. If you comply with the rules, no issues,” O’Leary added. He stressed that the airline is committed to ensuring that no one disrupts its operations.
The decision to increase bonuses follows a leak earlier this year that revealed how some former employees earned a “gate bag bonus” for identifying oversized bags. According to reports, these workers received around €1.50 for each oversized bag they flagged. However, the monthly bonus was capped at a certain amount.
Ryanair, which generated €13 billion in revenue last year, confirmed that staff are financially rewarded for identifying bags that violate the airline’s size restrictions. Passengers can be charged up to €75 for each oversized item caught at the gate. A spokesperson for the airline stated that these fees are applied to less than 0.1% of passengers who do not follow the rules. The message to those passengers is straightforward: “Please comply with our generous bag rules or you will be charged at check-in or at the gate.”
In addition to the bonus changes, Ryanair recently announced an increase in the size of free hand luggage to 40 x 30 x 20cm, aligning with upcoming EU rules that ban airlines from charging for small carry-ons. This adjustment is expected to benefit travelers who previously faced hidden fees for minor infractions.
Despite these changes, questions remain about whether Ryanair’s strict baggage rules are simply a way to boost revenue. Some critics argue that the current crackdown on oversized bags may be seen as a ruthless strategy to maximize profits. Others question whether the airline is rewarding staff to expose travelers who attempt to bypass the rules.
As the debate continues, Ryanair remains focused on maintaining its low-cost model while ensuring compliance with its policies. The airline’s approach to luggage rules reflects its broader commitment to efficiency and affordability, even as it faces scrutiny over its practices.
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