Ryan Air - Baggage Weight Challenge
 

Hello,

It's my first time looking into Ryan Air, flying from Paris to Rome, and Venice to Paris... super tempting but I have a few questions about Ryan Air's infamous baggage checking and overweight charges. I've already been on their website, and know how much they charge for every kilo over the limit. However, has anyone bought a ticket/seat for their baggage? I think I'll have about a 50-lb carry-on sized suitcase, but was wondering if that's more affordable than paying the extra pounds. If not, what happens if you exceed the maximum limit of 32 kilos?? Can they let you not board the plane? Can you split it into 2 bags and check 2 baggages instead?

Please advise.

How much does a ticket cost for each of these destinations? Compare that to the cost for the overweight.

Yes, if you exceed their absolute maximum for checked baggage they very well CAN deny boarding if they choose to do so.

We just used Ryan Air into Palermo and out of Rome. They were very good. 15 kgs each check in and 10 kgs each carry on. Then they charge extra per kg.So think very carefully about those extra clothes! We were away for 5 weeks and it was okay.

I haven't heard of anyone buying an extra seat for their bag. Perhaps the best thing would be to call them and discuss your dilemma - my experience is that they can be very strict.

I had just recently flown RyanAir from Beauvais to Treviso in June. Yes, the baggage restrictions are firm. Be aware that they have strict size rules for carry on bags as well. My carry on bag was 2 inches too large and I luckily had a smaller fabric tote bag tucked inside, so I repacked my items and then placed my carry on bag into my check in suitcase. Best rule of thumb if possible is to travel light. I posted about RyanAir in an earlier thread on June 16th. Be aware that from Venice (Treviso) you have about an hour bus ride.

Yes, they will enforce their weight restrictions. I fly Ryan air between London and various Itlay destinations, and have seen people leaving non essentials behind so they can check bags through.

I think the rule makes alot of sense, due to the small size of the planes and the popularity of the flights. I have never heard of anyone buying a extra seat for baggage, and can't imagine how that could work.

Are you saying you think about actually putting the bags in a seat? Don't think they will do that.
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If the OP is trying to buy an extra seat, I would have thought they want to make use of that notional person's checked-in baggage allowance. Not to physically put a case in the extra seat.

The 32kg limit is the limit for one bag above which they will not accept. It sounds like this won't be a problem for you.

You say you have "a 50-lb carry-on sized suitcase" - you surely don't mean this is small enough to carry on the plane?

I don't know why Ryanair get a hard time over their rules because they are very clear and seemingly genereous enough unless you are moving house(15kg checked-in baggage plus one 10kg carry-on no bigger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm).

Ryanair does not have a good routing for "Venice" (Treviso) to "Paris" (Beauvais). See www.myair.com for VCE-Orly.

Regardless of price or luggage issues.

Best wishes,

Rex

When I flew with two friends from Rome to Paris, the girl at the check-in counter just put all our bags on the scale and made sure that the total was under 96kg even though my bag was slightly over. Luckily, the other two didn't drag around as much stuff. But you can't be sure that will happen everytime.

15 Kilos for checked luggage is not nearly as "generous" as most other airlines offer for flights within Europe: 20 Kilos for coach passengers and that includes EasyJet.

I am not certain that they wouldn't issue you a ticket for the luggage if you really wanted one.

This has been done (on other airlines at least) quite often by people who are transporting something of such great value that the transporter feels it is worth buying a ticket for it so that it can be transported within eyesight.

One of the more (in)famous instances was some years ago when the wedding dress for the US President's daughter was transported, by the designer, in its own container and in its own seat, from Boston to Washington!

Thanks everyone!! That's all great info to consider. The ticket itself is only 19.99euros. Yes, bellastar, I was actually thinking of buying a ticket to stick by bag on it. I live in the states and am having a hard time trying to figure out the best way to contact Ryan Air to confirm my questions. Is there a contact # for people in the US, or an email to Ryan Air?? Also, what are some rules or essential things to pack light?

-lilj

Ryanair has a for-pay customer service line. I'm not sure what it would cost to phone it from the US, but I'd be very cautious if that's what you're doing.

we bought a sports bag with wheels ,it is so much lighter than the the regular roll on bags , wear your heaviest clothing shoes sweaters etc .

I found this 'rest of the world' (which is you, if you're outside Europe) reservations number, which you could try:

TEL +353 1 249 7799
Lines open Mon - Fri 09.00 - 17.45 (GMT)

Do not advise phoning. The only time I tried it (from UK) I got an automated message followed by a real person who behaved like an automated message. No joy at all. Try e mail??

lilj58,
ok, guess I'll asume you're carrying something of huge and significant value then, like a presidential wedding dress!

I can confirm that it costs a very pretty penny to call the for-pay line from the states. I did it once without thinking, had my brief question answered, then got stuck with a bill for over 35 dollars, which more than wiped ouyt my savings on the ticket! Not a mistake I made twice.

If their limit is 32kg, that is 70.55lb. If your suitcast is over 70 pounds you probably won't bea able to carry it. I Have flown Ryan a couple of times and they were strict about my suitcase weight, but they never weighed my backpack. Good thing too because it was pretty heavy.

While on one month vacation last summer my wife and I traveled visited Toronto, Warsaw, Rome, Pisa, and Dublin. We flew Pisa to Dublin via Brussels. Never checked the baggage restrictions (not very wise, I know), and were shocked by Ryanair's limits upon arrival at Pisa counter. I booked the tix from phone in USA. It would have been nice if they had mentioned it, considering I was American traveling in Europe for one month. They steadfastly refused to allow me to buy a seat, and wanted to charge me 6 Euro for every Kilo over 15. I was looking at over $1000 US for both legs. My wife and I ended up wearing every single piece of clothing we had with us and stuffing everything else in our pockets. The folks in line line behind us at the security check were not amused when we were asked to take off each piece of clothing and put it thorugh the scanner! If nothing else we have a good story with pictures to prove it. I'll check the fine print next time.