Now, I won’t lie to you – this isn’t a free-for-all. This is still the free bag. If you want to bring a wheelie suitcase onboard, you’ll still need to pay for “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.” That hasn’t changed. Sorry.
But for the budget-conscious among us? This is huge. You can now pack a proper change of clothes, a thin jacket, and still have room for a bag of Maltesers (which you will definitely need after dealing with the security queue). The key word here is efficiency.
A 40x30x20cm bag means you can actually bring a real pair of jeans instead of just Spanx and a prayer. It’s the difference between looking like a rumpled mess and looking like a slightly-less-rumpled human being.
What Bag Should You Buy?
This is the fun part. The internet is buzzing with reviews of “Ryanair-approved” bags. You want something that hits exactly 40x30x20cm. Not 41. Not 42. The sizer is your enemy, but also your best friend.
Look for a bag that is soft and squishy. Hard-sided “underseat” bags are a no-go if they’re rigid. You need something that will give a little when the gate agent gives you the death glare.
A good option is a foldable daypack (like the Osprey Daylite or similar). Or, you know, just a regular backpack that isn’t packed to bursting. The “squish test” is real. If you can’t squeeze it down, you’re going to have a bad time.
