Why do we fall for it? Because we are optimists. We look at a 40x20x25 cm box and think, “I can definitely fit three pairs of jeans, a hair dryer, and a souvenir snow globe in there.” Nope. That’s delusion.
A study from 2026 noted that 60% of passengers attempt to bring a bag that’s too big, but only 12% get caught. That means you have an 88% chance of success—unless you’re behind a person wearing a massive winter coat. Then you’re doomed.
Playful exaggeration alert: I once saw a woman on Ryanair carry a bag that was so stuffed, it had its own gravitational pull. The flight attendant asked her to “please check if it fits.” The bag scoffed. It didn’t fit. She paid the fee with a single tear rolling down her cheek.
Easyjet And Ryanair Hand Baggage Allowance
How to Actually Win This Game
First, buy a “Ryanair-approved” bag that’s exactly 40x20x25 cm. They exist, and they look like a flattened briefcase that a hedgehog might sleep in.
Second, wear your heaviest clothes onto the plane. I’m talking three jackets, cargo pants with every pocket stuffed, and a hat that could double as a packing cube. You’ll look like a marshmallow crossing a desert, but your bag will be a whisper.
Third, embrace the “carry-on tax”. Budget airlines are not cheap; they are cheap with a surcharge. Accept that your bag will cost you extra, and then pack only a Kindle, some underwear, and a snack. You’re not going on safari; you’re going to a beach or a business meeting. Calm down.
Finally, remember: the sizer is not your enemy. It’s a reminder that capitalism has a sense of humor—a dark, punitive one. Ryanair and EasyJet are laughing all the way to the bank, while you’re trying to fit a change of socks into a breadbox.
So next time you fly, walk to the gate with your tiny bag held high. Show that sizer who’s boss. And if you fail? Just remember: your €69 fee is funding another executive’s yacht race. You’re welcome, Michael O’Leary.
