Ryanair is increasing staff bonuses for spotting oversized cabin bags. Chief Executive Michael O’Leary announced this new policy. The reward will rise from €1.50 to €2.50 per bag. This change starts in November with the winter schedule. Additionally, the monthly bonus cap will disappear. Staff previously could earn only €80 extra per month.
Furthermore, O’Leary defended the incentive program strongly. He said he makes no apology for the policy. Moreover, he wants to encourage staff vigilance. His goal is to catch people scamming the system. Passengers face fees up to £75 for non-compliant luggage. Their bags then go into the aircraft hold.
Moreover, Ryanair’s baggage rules are clearly defined. One small personal item is free for all passengers. However, it must fit under the seat. Dimensions cannot exceed 40x20x20cm. A second larger cabin bag requires a fee. This wheelie case must be under 55x40x20cm. The fee is usually less than hold luggage.
O’Leary also addressed passenger concerns directly. He called anxiety over minor infractions exaggerated. He personally observes boardings in Dublin regularly. Bags slightly over the size limit usually get on. The problem is with clearly oversized cabin bags. He expressed mystification at passengers trying to sneak large rucksacks through.
Additionally, he provided some context. Only 0.1% of passengers actually pay the gate fee. This equals about 200,000 people per year. However, these cases get disproportionate media attention. Most travelers follow the rules correctly. The number of fee-payers is decreasing over time.
Other airlines run similar incentive schemes. For example, Swissport staff earn £1.20 per bag for easyJet. Ryanair’s move is simply more aggressive. O’Leary welcomes continued media coverage. He believes it helps increase passenger compliance. Efficient operations keep fares low for everyone.
Ultimately, the message is clear. Passengers must follow the baggage rules. Staff will remain highly motivated to identify oversized cabin bags. The airline prioritizes on-time performance and cost control. This policy supports those core objectives completely.
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