Ryanair to make surprising positive major change to hand baggage allowance, how it'll impact your travels
Get ready to bring more on board
www.cosmopolitan.comDirect answer: Ryanair announced that from November 10, 2026, check-in and bag drop close 60 minutes before scheduled departure (up from the current 40 minutes). This change affects passengers checking in bags; those traveling with cabin bags online-only won’t be affected.
Details and context:
- What’s changing: The bag drop and check-in cutoff is extended by 20 minutes, to close 60 minutes before departure at all Ryanair airports. This is meant to give passengers more time to clear security and passport queues, particularly during busy periods.[1][2]
- Who is affected: Roughly 20% of Ryanair passengers who typically check in a bag will need to arrive earlier to drop bags and complete check-in; the remaining 80% who travel with cabin bags online-only won’t see a change to their process.[2]
- Implementation notes: Ryanair plans to install self-service kiosks at most airports ahead of October 2026 to support the increased pre-departure processing time.[2]
- Related coverage: The change has been reported by multiple outlets with similar details, including the airline’s official announcement and multiple travel outlets.[4][1][2]
Practical tips for Marseille (local context):
- If you’re checking a bag, plan to arrive at the airport well before the 60-minute cutoff, factoring in potential security lines and queues at Marseille Provence (MRS).
- If you’re not checking a bag, you can continue online check-in and still proceed through security to your gate as usual.
- Monitor the airline’s official communications or the Marseille airport notices as the November 2026 date approaches to confirm exact local procedures.
Illustrative note: This shift mirrors broader efforts to streamline airport throughput by moving more processing online and using self-serve options, a trend seen across several European carriers in recent years.[2]