A passenger on a Ryanair flight has come up with a novel, if unsubtle, way of dodging the airline’s notoriously strict hand luggage policy.
In a photo taken on 15 October and uploaded to X (formerly known as Twitter), the unidentified woman is shown hiding a backpack underneath her shirt, with the item of clothing draped over the bag in an obvious manner.
The post, added by a user named Kavaghn, was captioned: “@Ryanair only one cabin bag allowed, surely no ones falling for this monstrosity.”
The airline’s baggage policy states that “fares include one small personal bag which can be brought on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag (40x20x25cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you”. Fees for extra baggage range from £6 to £36 at the time of booking, or between £20 and £38 at the airport. Excess baggage fees are more costly, starting at £11 per extra kilogram.
When asked by another person if the woman had been successful in her ploy, the original poster said that the woman “made it” through security “and took up two whole overhead compartments”.
Several other users welcomed the hack, with one calling it “brilliant” and another stating that the woman was simply acting “as she should and as I would”.
Even Ryanair’s official account caught wind of the post, eventually replying: “Y’all make our job way too easy.” It is currently unclear whether the woman in question was eventually caught out by the low-cost carrier.
This exchange follows a spate of similar attempts at circumventing airline baggage policies the world over. In early October, a passenger avoided paying an American Airlines fee by giving herself a ‘DIY Brazilian butt lift’ using her excess luggage, while in May, a passenger was eventually fined by Jetstar after attempting to wear 13lbs of clothing to avoid paying a fee.
The Independent has contacted Ryanair for comment.
