Ryanair's new baggage rules: Airline faces backlash as new carry-on rules come into force

Others complained that they had booked flights prior to the policy change, and have demanded a refund.

Some have expressed concern about carrying medication on board. Twitter user @katietagg97 enquired about carrying her epi-pen (used to inject epinephrine) in her "small luggage", and was instructed by Ryanair to call a number that charges 13p per minute.

In some instances Ryanair appears to be stretching its own rules, instructing one passenger to take a laptop on board that exceeds the permitted size allowance.

Insurance is another concern. Telegraph, London reader P Patter wrote: "The most important thing here is that your valuables are not covered by your travel insurance if they are in hold luggage. This means if they are lost you won't get a penny".

As outlined in Direct Line's travel insurance policy booklet, unattended luggage is defined as: "Any property that you leave unattended – not in your full view and where you are not in a position to prevent unauthorised taking of your property – unless it is locked safely in your personal accommodation or the secure area of a motor vehicle (a locked boot or locked luggage compartment of a hatchback or estate fitted with a lid, fixed tray or roller blind cover)". Different travel insurance providers may have different definitions of unattended luggage.

It's not just passengers who are unhappy with the move. The Spanish Association of Users, Employers and Professionals of Air Transport (Asetra) has urged tourists to boycott Ryanair, and is calling on Spain's Ministry of Development to reduce the airline's slots across the country.The public response to the new rules hasn't been all negative, however.

Commenting on a Telegraph, London article, Gordon Neale wrote: "Ryanair have the right to change their controls. We, as the customer, then have the option to accept the costs and conditions or go elsewhere."

Steve Ksiezak had a similarly measured approach to the changed baggage allowance. He wrote: "I have no problem with this. Indeed for sometime I have been waiting at the the back of the queue to deliberately have my bag put in the hold at no cost. I am not interested in dragging a bag into the cabin tube and trying to find a space for it and then to have to bun fight to get it off again."

The baggage allowance change was announced in September 2017. The new regulation, while unpopular with many, hasn't had a negative impact on flight sales for Ryanair. On Tuesday the company announced that it has broken its weekly booking record, receiving over three million reservations in one week for the first time in its history.

The Telegraph, London

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