Ryanair’s decision to increase gate penalties and staff incentives has pushed travellers to seek creative ways to avoid paying for excess hand luggage, with travel experts and frequent flyers sharing a string of packing tricks now circulating online.
From November, Ryanair staff were told they would receive a boosted bonus for every passenger caught trying to sneak an oversized carry‑on onto a flight, a payment rise reported at about €2.50 (just over £2) per interception, up from €1.50. The incentive is now described as uncapped, whereas the previous bonus system had a monthly ceiling of about €80 (roughly £69). Passengers who are found with excess hand luggage may face a £75 fine at the gate.
The stricter enforcement and financial penalties have renewed interest in several packing and boarding tactics long used by no‑frills fliers. Travel consultants and savings‑site experts described methods they say can stretch a single free carry‑on allowance without paying extra, but they also warned that airline staff are trained to spot many of these approaches.
One commonly recommended tactic is to purchase duty‑free items after security and tuck additional garments or goods into the sealed duty‑free bag. Katy Maclure of Jack’s Flight Club called the duty‑free bag a “favourite trick,” saying she has put items such as books and clothing at the bottom of a sealed bag and not been challenged. Duty‑free purchases are generally treated separately from carry‑on because they are made post check‑in, but airline and airport staff can and do inspect sealed bags.
Another approach is to wear extra clothing layers or use a purpose‑built travel jacket with multiple pockets to carry items on the body. Dominic Vanderstay, director of travel consultancy Dr Travel More, recommended a 14‑pocket “Stuffa” jacket for those who fly regularly. He said he has used the jacket dozens of times and estimates it has saved him thousands in baggage fees. Airlines, however, may view sudden bulky clothing at the gate as a safety or security concern; one publicised incident involved singer James McElvar collapsing with heat exhaustion after putting on 12 layers to avoid a baggage fee.
Some travellers use items not usually classified as luggage. U‑shaped travel pillows with stuffable covers are sold as a way to carry extra clothes around the neck. Vanderstay and other advisers said stuffed pillowcases should be packed smoothly to avoid appearing lumpy and attracting attention; they cautioned that vigilant staff might still challenge passengers.
Packing techniques such as the “army roll” and vacuum‑packing are also widely recommended to reduce volume without increasing weight. Electric pumps and vacuum roll bags can remove air and compress garments. Commercial products such as small electric pumps (sold around £25) and roll‑seal vacuum bags (sold in multipacks for similar sums) were cited as tools travellers use to squeeze more into a carry‑on. Experts remind travellers they must still allow room to carry any pump on the return trip.
Some passengers try timing tactics at the gate, waiting until the final boarding call in the hope staff will be less strict amid the rush. Maclure said observing staff mood and sharing baggage allowance among travel companions can sometimes work, but consultants caution this is risky and not guaranteed.
Airline allowances and enforcement vary, and travel advisers urge passengers to measure and weigh luggage before leaving home. Ryanair’s free allowance was recently set at a bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, with a 10kg weight limit — a change described as aligning the carrier with European Commission rules. Previously the dimensions were 40cm x 25cm x 20cm. EasyJet permits a larger free bag at 45cm x 36cm x 25cm with a 15kg weight limit that must fit under the seat. Jet2 allows a 10kg case up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm plus a smaller under‑seat bag; Wizz Air’s free allowance is 40cm x 30cm x 20cm up to 10kg.
Advisers suggest choosing luggage designed to meet a specific airline’s published size limits, using soft bags that can be squeezed into sizing frames at the gate, and checking bags on bathroom scales to avoid surprises. They also note that while many of the described tricks have been used successfully by travellers, enforcement can vary by carrier, airport and staff; any attempt to circumvent rules carries the risk of fines, being forced to check bags into the hold, or other penalties.
The renewed focus on gate‑level enforcement reflects broader changes in the low‑cost travel sector, where carriers have tightened carry‑on allowances and clarified penalties to reduce boarding delays and perceived unfairness. As airlines update rules and incentives, passengers and industry watchers say the contest over what constitutes permitted hand luggage — and how strictly it is policed — is likely to continue.