From Ryanair's T&C:
"Cabin Baggage

Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted. (handbag, briefcase, laptops etc must be carried within your permitted 1 piece of cabin baggage). Cabin baggage must contain no prohibited items"

See http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/conditions.php

55 x 40 x 20 translates into American as 21.5 x 18 x 8.

Enforcement varies, but you cannot presume that you will be allowed two items. It looks to me as if you should put your CPAP into a larger bag, along with the rest of your stuff.

An alternative strategy might be to wear a garment with a helluva pocket.

Padraig,

Thank you for your response. I am aware of Ryanair's written policy for carry on and the conversions from metric to inch. What I was looking for is anyone who has encountered this specific issue. If I must put it in my backpack obviously I will but if possible I would like to reserve that space and weight for other items. In the US there is a federal law that permits exemptions for carryon medical devices such as a CPAP. I had heard that the EU has the same type of thing but have not been able to find it in writing. I guess my only recourse is to call the Ryanair "special assistance" number in the UK to find out for sure.

tip-

if you are going to be well over your luggage restrictions, buy extra luggage in advance, as its like 25 Euro or so per bag (my guess). if you are over, you pay something like 8 Euro PER KILO.

So getting an extra bag works out cheaper and you dont get messed around at check-in.

A friend who has traveled in the US with his CPAP machine says he will pack it in his checked luggage for our trip to the UK next year.

On a recent trip to St. Louis from DFW, he said his CPAP machine was taken apart, every piece checked and even swabbed by TSA. He said it was a huge hassle and he doesn't want to encounter that on an international trip.

I don't know if you will run into the same hassles, however.

I'm sorry, but TSA generally has no idea what they are doing or why, so you can expect anything. Shoes on at one airport, off at another. A body search if you happen to have a metal hip or knee replacement, even if you are a congressman and have a note from your doctor.

Point out to your ladies that Ryanair's luggage allowance is 15kg checked and 10kg cabin - and that excess baggage charges are around $8 per POUND - and that more than one checked bag per person will cost and additional $20 per person per flight

Then say that that will come out of their spending money, not yours.

As for your CPAP, Ryanair won't give a damn what you carry on as long as it meets their weight & size limits and isn't liable to kill the passengers before the end of the flight.

As for security checks, there are no specific rules against CPAP machines but as most Europeans wouldn't recognise one form a hole in the ground, expect some interest

Why not try asking them--explaining what it is, letter from doctor, etc.?

I take my CPAP in my regular carryon. I'm able to fit in my camera, medications, binoculars and other valuables. Before I go through security, I tell the agent that I have a cpap in my carryon. They usually say "Yes, I can see it." So far, no problems. I keep it in a clear plastic bag to protect it from any contaminants. I have not been on Ryanair.

alanRow wrote: "As for your CPAP, Ryanair won't give a damn what you carry on as long as it meets their weight & size limits and isn't liable to kill the passengers before the end of the flight."

That's true. There might, however, be some vexation with airport security.

pompa1, I wasn't entirely joking about garments with big pockets.

I have setup a scale at the front door. If it doesn't pass my inspection it doesn't leave the house.

As far as the CPAP, I am leaving space in my backpack for just in case. If Ryan doesn't exempt it I'll cram it in the backpack and scratch Ryanair off my list. Flying Ryan on 2 legs of our trip is a cheap experiment. If I don't like it then I spent minor dollars and will simply change flights or pay the excess baggage. My CPAP was chosen specifically for travel and is very small and light.

No worries! Feliz Navidad e prospero Ano Nuevo!

Gotta start working on my Spanish. It's a little rusty but the wifes French is all tuned up and ready to go.

"Why not try asking them--explaining what it is, letter from doctor, etc.?"

That has to be the funniest suggestion this year.

Sadly, though, real life prevents any of us from giving you a comprehensive answer to your question.The shorthand answer, though, is:

Michael O'Leary.

I know O'Leary is a jerk but I have received decent information from some of his employees.

It seems to be that rather than engage in endless speculation, it's easier to attempt to get information from the source.

flanneruk,

In one of my first responses on this thread I said that

"I guess my only recourse is to call the Ryanair "special assistance" number in the UK to find out for sure."

The only way to contact Ryanair from the US is to call them. Emails don't work. As a result I was looking for an individual that has first hand experience. What I got was responses from people that have no clue what a CPAP is or that gave me the obvious answer "put it in your bag"??

I had hoped that this thread might help me as well as many other fodorites that are afflicted with Apnea. It is a very common condition and literally millions of people carry CPAP's as this is a life threatening condition.

Sorry if it sounded like a stupid question!

pompa,

I didn't think your question was stupid. Flanner thought my answer was.

I made my suggestion because I didn't think you were getting any specifics from the thread.

I just prefer to cut to the chase when I can--we have a cheap rate calling plan to the UK which helps in situations like this.

Unfortunately I have to now start carrying a CPAP machine with me and my first flight is going to be on Ryanair. I checked their website fully and found under the Special Assistance link the possible answer under "Carrying a CPAP" onboard. Basically said to fill in Ryanair Special Assistance form Line A. No such animal on their website..so had to call their French help line at .23 euros per minute - three times - 24 minutes and 5 euros later, I gave them the model/specs of my CPAP. I got a confirming email, with the carryon waiver, along with the statement to also bring a Doctor's letter. They won't answer emails so back to the .23 euros/minute money maker. Discussed it with operator, who said that I need a Doctor's letter. I said"what happens if I am not over the carryon weight limit". Still need a Doctor's letter. "What happen's if I put it in checked baggage". Still need a Doctors letter. "What happens if I put it in my wife's baggage" Then she will need a Doctor's letter. Hang up! What a bunch of crap!

I was going to print out their segent on travelling with CPAP's from their website, but I don't trust them one bit. Does anyone have any recent direct experience with Ryanair's CPAP policy?

no cheap "calling plan" will help you avoid the HUGE fees Ryanair charges PER MINUTE on their phone lines. It is NOT a normal call. I think it is LUDICROUS this is not specified on their website so you could feel sure you have the correct answer.

wait a minute. I just found the answer from ryanair by googling the question.

http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/can-i-bring-my-cpap-machine-on-board

so.. it WAS there all along. hope you didn't waste money calling.

Ah, therein lies the problem. Although their website makes no mention of a doctor's letter, when I received the email with the waiver attached, allowing me to carry on the CPAP free of charge, I was told in the email to "not forget the doctor's letter".

Contacting Ryanair's "help line" (an oxymoron) provided no help, no answers only the admonitions that said that if I did not bring the letter, I "probably" would not be able to fly.

Ryanair sucks for many reasons. This just adds to the suck pile IMHO.

wow. frankly shabby info from them.I hope you have no problems.

I would be very tempted to create a doctor's note.

Yeah, I'd do it too: The bearer needs a CPAP machine (well, better get a doctor friend to do it.

Well, this post is THREE years old. Didn't the OP pompa1 have time to come back and tell us what happened/how it'd be done? Did he travel after all?
Encore, please come back when it is over and tell us.
Good luck.

If Ryanair could find a way to charge passengers for breathing, they would.

"As for your CPAP, Ryanair won't give a damn what you carry on as long as it meets their weight & size limits and isn't liable to kill the passengers before the end of the flight"

""Why not try asking them--explaining what it is, letter from doctor, etc.?"

O ' Leary will openly not give a damn if your equipment is needed to keep you alive. They charged my 18 month old son as excess baggage some years back. His ticket actually said e9 standard excess baggage charge.

You love Ryanair, you hate Ryanair either way you live with them. They won't talk to you and will not negotiate. The worst customer relations function in corporate history but when it is possible to fly 2000 miles round trip for £50 - what do you expect.

I wish we could help, I wish Ryanair could help... but I doubt they will.