Ryanair passenger uses wild hack to get 20kg worth of luggage on board for free
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
A budget holiday can quickly turn expensive once you factor in the extras, and hidden baggage fees are often to blame.
Passengers are increasingly being stung by extra charges, with some forced to pay £60 or more at the gate for bags that apparently don't fit into the baggage sizers.
Last year, Ryanair and Easyjet were fined a combined €150 million (£126 million) for 'abusive' baggage charges in Spain. And there have even been calls for the EU to intervene over the 'ridiculous' charges.
To avoid forking out for a checked bag, some savvy travellers are taking matters into their own hands, inventing clever packing hacks that allow them to sneak extra luggage onto their flight.
From buying a travel pillow for extra storage to hiding items in duty-free carriers, there's a plethora of TikTok luggage tips that promise to help dodge the add-ons.
One traveller, Rob Adcock, shared a simple yet bizarre hack on how to sneak 20kg of luggage on board a Ryanair flight totally free.
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
The BBC presenter, from Stoke-on-Trent, frequently makes headlines with his travel tips and tricks and knows a thing or two about how to go abroad on a budget.
In a video, which has racked up 2.4 million views and over 50,000 likes, he films himself putting his clothes through a vacuum pack machine.
Placing several squashed parcels into his backpack, he laughs as he makes his way onto the £15 flight. And despite trepidation, Rob then breezes past the usually eagle-eyed gate agents, without any of them suspecting a thing.
All Ryanair passenger fare types include a small personal bag, which must fit under the seat in front. This can be a handbag, laptop bag or backpack, with the dimensions 40 x 20 x 25 cm.
Cabin baggage, which must be stored in the overhead locker, can be purchased. It must be 10kg and 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
Checked baggage can also be added on. This must be under 80 x 120 x 120 and must be dropped at the check-in desk before security.
Ryanair's website says: 'You must adhere to the baggage allowance on your booking. If your small bag or 10kg cabin bag does not fit in the baggage sizers, which are placed at every boarding gate, we will tag your bag and place it in the aircraft hold, subject to payment of a gate bag fee. You can collect it on the baggage carousel at your arrival airport.'
One user declared him the 'package cube final boss' in the comments, but others were more skeptical, including one who said: 'Vacuum-packed stuff is heavy .'
'Literally saw someone get caught doing this in Budapest today,' a user named Ronan added. 'It didn't end well.' More Trending
And as another pointed out, there's a major flaw in the hack: 'How are you supposed to vacuum it back up before going back on the plane when going home?'
You're unlikely to have access to a vacuum at your beach resort hotel, so if you are going to recreate Rob's trick, you'll need to pack a portable one or see if housekeeping can lend you theirs – otherwise, you won't fit your items in your bag again, and will end up paying for a case on the journey back.
Plus, while this technique is definitely a space saver, many airlines have rules on how heavy a passenger's carry-on should be. So make sure to check the guidelines of the airline you're flying with.
Metro has contacted Ryanair for comment. The airline's website states that its free small bag must fit under the passenger seat in front and be no larger than 40 x 20 x 25 cm.
Knowing what you can and can't pack in your luggage isn't easy – the list is long and differs depending on whether you are taking your bag into the cabin or checking it into the hold.
Remember that there are rules on how much liquid you can take in your hand luggage, and be sure to check the guidance for the country you are travelling to because different parts of the world have different rules.
Below is a list of prohibited items you cannot pack in any luggage you take on a plane: Smoke canisters and smoke cartridges
Flammable liquids and solids
Oxidisers such as bleaching powders
Organic peroxides Tear gas devices or any gas cylinders
Infectious substances such as live virus materials
Wet-cell car batteries
Magnetrons and instruments containing mercury Instruments containing magnets Fireworks and pyrotechnics Firelighter, lighter fuel, paints, thinners Poisons, arsenic, cyanide, weedkiller Radioactive materials, acids, corrosives, alkalis, caustic soda
Creosote, quicklime, oiled paper Vehicle fuel system components that contain fuel Explosives, ammunition, detonators and related equipment
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: Wizz Air launches £18 flights to 'enchanting' European gem where pints are just £1
MORE: I was cabin crew for 26 years — here's how we handle emergencies at 30,000 feet
MORE: Ireland has a US border — it could help travellers nervous about Trump's America
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Adult throws tantrum at airport gate after being told her luggage was too heavy
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video This is the moment a tourist had an oh-so-public breakdown after she was blocked from boarding a flight. Airport staff at Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy stopped the tourist over the weight of her hand luggage on June 8. Her carry-on suitcase was too heavy to take on board and she was ordered to pay extra or throw away some contents. What followed was an airport tantrum more akin to a child being told they can't have their favourite sweet treat. Footage shows the middle-aged woman sobbing and crying, all while flapping her hands in the air. Authorities struggled to get a handle on the situation and she was booted from the flight. The tourist rebooked a new ticket for the following day once she had calmed down. But trouble-making passengers aren't exclusive to the ground. One nightmare passenger was hauled off a Ryanair flight from Tenerife after she was allegedly aggressive to other passengers and made a bomb threat. The flight from the Spanish island to Prestwick on May 18 had to be diverted to Faro in Portugal after things got out of hand. More Trending One man thought he had escaped trouble until a passenger vomited on him moments before they were due to take off on a 13-hour trip from Taiwan to Austria. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Someone on the flight told local media: 'The cabin door was already closed, and then that person started vomiting. 'There was an older man on his right, and when he saw him vomiting, he immediately stood up. 'The flight attendants later helped move that older man's seat, but that whole row was then blocked off and no one could sit there.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The underrated Swiss lake town that's like Como without the crowds MORE: Europe's 'nowhere place' is a quiet Italian gem with flights from £17 MORE: Ryanair passengers injured after storm throws 'people against cabin roof'
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
Ryanair accused of refusing to let family board flight to Dublin over visa issues
Ryanair accused of refusing to let family board flight to Dublin over visa issues Christina Finn and her husband Cameron had travelled to London from Belfast on Friday for a CBeebies event with their five-month-old son when they were refused boarding Christina while she was at the airport A family from Northern Ireland has alleged that they were denied boarding on a Ryanair flight departing from London, after being wrongly told they would require a visa to travel into Ireland from the UK. Christina Finn and her husband Cameron had journeyed from Belfast to London on Friday for a CBeebies event with their five-month-old son. However, upon their return from Stansted to Dublin via the budget airline, they were refused entry to the plane. Christina told Belfast Live how their troubles began when they were unable to check in for their flight online. "We had flown to London on Friday morning from Belfast for a meeting with the BBC, and we were to fly home from London to Dublin and then get the bus up to Belfast as that was the cheapest option, and it is something we would do all the time," she explained. Christina along with her baby She added: "We were travelling with our five-month-old baby, and it was important that we got home early enough, as he is quite unwell and has to have medication twice a day. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "When we went to check in on the app, it wouldn't let me click through to our booking at all and I thought the issue was with my phone so when we got to the airport, we had to check in at the desk where we then had to pay a fine for not checking in online." Article continues below Christina recounted that after settling the fine, the Ryanair staff requested to see their passports. She informed them that they had travelled to London with easyJet using their driving licences but did have their passports, which had recently expired. Sharing her travel woes, Christina recounted the passport predicament they faced: "My husband has an Irish passport and I have a British one which have both recently expired. With the baby due, we were waiting until he was born to renew them so that we could just do it at the same time. "We informed the staff that we had flown over on our driving licences so he took them away and came back with a man who told us that because my husband has an expired Irish passport, he would be allowed on the flight to Dublin but as my passport was a British one they couldn't let me on the plane." She continued to detail the confusion with airline personnel, explaining the rights under the Common Travel Area: "The staff informed me that as a UK citizen I would need a visa to travel to Ireland as it is in the EU and I tried to explain to them that that wouldn't apply due to the Common Travel Area. "I told him that we lived in Northern Ireland and he then questioned how I had a British passport and couldn't seem to understand that it was a pretty common thing for people to fly to Dublin then travel on to Belfast. He also said that we would need to have evidence that we had booked onward travel from Dublin to Belfast." Christina's frustration grew as the situation escalated: "As I questioned it, he said that he was speaking to someone on the phone who told him that if they let us on the plane and if we arrived in Dublin we would be stopped at passport control and the airline would be fined between £500 and £1000 for allowing me on the plane without a valid passport." Finally, she revealed the costly resolution offered by the airline: "The staff member informed them that the only way around their issue would be for them to book a new flight directly to Belfast which would cost them £490. "We had to borrow the money from my mum for the flights and while I was on the phone to her she looked up the Government website which stated that you did not need a passport or visa to travel between the UK and Ireland. She sent me a screenshot of this which I showed to the man and he said he would look into it then he walked away. "I decided to ring the British embassy in Dublin who directed me to call the Irish embassy in London and the woman on the phone was horrified. She said that there was no requirement for people to have a passport for travelling between the UK and Ireland and that there was also no need for a visa. "However, she explained that Ryanair could have its own policy requiring travellers to have a passport." Christina expressed that the ordeal left her feeling like a "second-class citizen". A spokesperson for Ryanair responded: "In accordance with Ryanair's TandC's, which these passengers agreed to at the time of booking, these passengers failed to check-in online before arriving at London Stansted Airport (5 June). Therefore, these passengers were correctly asked to pay the required airport check-in fee (£55 per passenger), however refused to do so, and became aggressive towards the agents at the check in desk at London Stansted Airport. "All passengers travelling with Ryanair agree to check-in online before arriving at their departure airport and all passengers are sent an email reminding them to do so 24hrs before departure. "These passengers were subsequently correctly denied boarding to this flight from London Stansted to Dublin (5 June) as these passengers' passports did not meet the requirements for travel as both passports had expired in 2024. "It is each passenger's responsibility to ensure that their passport is valid for travel in line with the relevant State requirements at the time of travel. Article continues below "These requirements are clearly set out on and passengers are reminded with pop-up messages during booking. Passengers travelling between Ireland and the UK are required to carry a valid passport for travel. Therefore, as these passengers did not present a valid passport for this flight from London Stansted to Dublin Airport, they were correctly denied boarding."
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Shoppers run to Matalan for £20 vanity case that doubles as the perfect holiday hand luggage & it's cabin size approved
MATALAN is selling a "cute" vanity case for just £20 - and it could double as the perfect hand luggage. Now that summer is finally upon us, and with temperatures set to ramp up again next week, many of us are likely making plans for a holiday. 2 2 But finding a bag that meets the strict size guidelines of airlines can be tricky. Thankfully, Matalan has the perfect product to put travellers at ease - and it's on sale. Whether it's a sunny getaway, hen do abroad or a work trip, the Hardshell Vanity will hold everything you need for a short time away. In classic cream and tan colours, the small case is built with a durable hardshell exterior which offers extra protection for your belongings while remaining lightweight for easy handling. It has wheels for easy transport, separate compartments for easy packing and measures 36.5 x 17 x 27cm. This makes it ideal for EasyJet customers, with their under-seat cabin bag's maximum dimensions being 45x36x20cm, including handles and wheels. The airline claims this size allows you to 'bring all the essentials for a short trip' - but Pia decided to see if this was true for her. And if it's a UK staycation you're heading away for, the vanity case also has a space expansion meaning you can enjoy up to 25% extra packing space. Posting on the BARGAIN LOVERS - Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, The Range & More Facebook page, which boasts 843,000 members, one savvy shopper said: "Picked up this lovely travel vanity case from Matalan, £20 was £25 but there is 20% off. "It also comes with a strap, and a mirror and has lots of inside pockets and slots to slot your products into." Primark launches new range of cabin bags on wheels - they're approved by all budget airlines & there's matching carry-ons too Other bargain hunters are just as impressed as one gushed: "I've got one they are fab." "I need one", cried a second. A third echoed: "Need a trip to matalan now then." "How cute", chimed in a fourth. Meanwhile, someone else suggested: "For our holibobs?" Holiday packing tips Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday. 1. Write a list Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase. Or for complete ease, try Google's AI app - Gemini - which will create a list for you and help you not over pack. 2. Involve your kids Jemma said: 'My girls are getting older, they're 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say 'this is what you need' and they follow the list. 'And then I give them a rucksack each - and say to them 'you can have whatever you want in there as long as it's not liquid', and they can take that on the plane. And that's their 'home away from home' items.' 3. Try a hack or two She said: "I think they all work, but for different reasons - and you've just got to pick the right one for your trip. "Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you're trying to get a lot of items into your case, it's a space saver. 'Packing cubes are great - for example, I'm going on holiday with my three kids and we're all using the same suitcase for our clothes. "These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked. "I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we've arrived." 4. Decant beauty products Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets - which are much lighter and smaller. Or, if you'll be popping to the shops when you're abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive. 5. Get organised before you come home Jemma said: 'When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes. 'Also pack it in some form of order - so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person. "Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don't leave it." Unfortunately, the Matalan case is too big for Ryanair's underseat baggage dimensions (40x20x25cm). But Primark is selling an underseat bag which has racked up a legion of fans, and measures 40x20x25cm, when its wheels are removed, meaning it's fully compliant with the budget airline. The wheels are 'easy click', so they can be detached in seconds on the plane if you need. The hardshell suitcase also includes a handy bag for storing the wheels during the flight, and has a number of different zipped compartments to make packing easier. The bags also won't break the bank, costing just £25 each and saving you having to pay for any luggage on the flight.
