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Ryanair

Europe's largest low-cost airline

  • IrelandCountry
  • FRIATA Code
  • RYRICAO Code
  • IndependentAlliance
  • Ultra Low-CostAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Ryanair

Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost airline, flying thousands of routes from bases across Europe and North Africa. Every fare includes one free small bag of 40 × 30 × 20 cm; a 10 kg cabin bag needs Priority, and boarding passes are now app-only. This guide covers bag sizes and fees, fare bundles, digital check-in, power bank rules, compensation and how Ryanair compares with easyJet and Wizz Air.

Ryanair was founded in 1984 and is based in Swords, near Dublin. It sells point-to-point tickets only, so if you connect between two Ryanair flights you are on two separate bookings.

Ryanair flights to Dublin
Photo: Alessandro Santoro / Unsplash

Check-In and Digital Boarding Passes

Online check-in is free and opens 24 hours before departure, or earlier if you buy a reserved seat. Airport check-in costs a fee unless it is in your fare.

Since 12 November 2025, Ryanair boarding passes are digital only, shown in the myRyanair app. Passengers who need a visa check, such as most non-EU passport holders, must have their documents checked at the desk before going through security.

Power Banks on Ryanair Flights

New international (ICAO) rules for 2026, in force in the UK from 27 March 2026, change how power banks travel:

  • A maximum of two power banks per person, in cabin baggage only.
  • Power banks cannot be charged on board, and you should not use them to charge your phone during the flight.
  • Up to 100 Wh is fine; 100–160 Wh needs the airline’s approval.

Pack power banks in your small personal bag so you keep them with you even if a larger bag goes in the hold.

Families, Special Assistance and Pets

Children under 12 are seated next to an accompanying adult, and infants under two travel on an adult’s lap for a fee.

Special assistance should be requested in advance. Only assistance dogs can travel in the cabin.

How to Find Cheap Ryanair Flights

Cheap Ryanair flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Fly with the free bag only: on short trips, the small under-seat bag can be enough.
  • Travel midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often cheapest.
  • Check the airport: some bases, such as Beauvais for Paris, are far from the city, so add the bus fare.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Ryanair next to easyJet, Wizz Air and others.

Ryanair vs easyJet vs Wizz Air

All three are low-cost airlines with a free under-seat bag and paid extras.

RyanaireasyJetWizz Air
Base countryIrelandUnited KingdomHungary
Free bag40 × 30 × 20 cm45 × 36 × 20 cm40 × 30 × 20 cm
Main airportsSecondary airports commonMain airports commonCentral and Eastern Europe
MembershipPrimeeasyJet PlusWizz MultiPass and Wizz Discount Club

See our easyJet guide and Vueling guide for more low-cost options.

Arriving in Dublin

Dublin Airport is about 10 km north of the city centre. Airport buses and taxis connect it with Dublin.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Ryanair a Good Airline?

For price, yes. Ryanair offers some of the lowest fares in Europe and a huge network, and it is usually punctual. It works best when you follow the bag rules exactly, check in online and use the app for your boarding pass.

For more options, see our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against Ryanair’s published bag rules and the UK CAA power bank guidance. Fees change often, so check the official Ryanair website before you travel.

Airline Partnerships

Ryanair is not a member of any airline alliance and sells point-to-point tickets, so connecting flights are booked as separate journeys.

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Ryanair doesn't codeshare. Each flight is a separate journey, so leave plenty of time if you plan to connect.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Ryanair has more than 90 bases across Europe. Its largest include Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN), Milan Bergamo (BGY) and Brussels Charleroi (CRL).

Popular Ryanair Routes

Popular Ryanair routes include Dublin to London Stansted, London Stansted to Barcelona, Bergamo to Barcelona and Dublin to Málaga. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Ryanair Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Ryanair sells a Basic fare with only a small personal bag, plus Regular, Plus and Flexi Plus bundles that add a cabin bag, checked bag, seats and more flexibility. Compare the total for what you need: Basic plus one extra can cost more than the next bundle.

Basic fares are non-refundable, and changes cost a fee plus any fare difference; Flexi Plus has the most flexible change rules. On flights from the EU or the UK, EU261 or UK261 can give compensation for long delays and cancellations.

  • Basic Small personal bag only; a random seat is given free at check-in.
  • Regular Adds Priority & 2 Cabin Bags and a reserved seat.
  • Plus Adds a 20 kg checked bag, a reserved seat and free airport check-in.
  • Flexi Plus The most flexible ticket for changes, with a checked bag and Priority.
  • Passenger rights EU261 and UK261 may apply for long delays and cancellations.
  • How to change Use My Bookings on ryanair.com or the Ryanair app.

Ryanair Seat Selection & Additional Services

On Basic fares you get a random seat free at check-in, or you can pay to choose. Priority boarding, seats, bags and other extras are cheaper when bought at booking than later.

  • Seats Random seat free at check-in; pay to choose.
  • Airport check-in Charged unless included in your fare.
  • Priority boarding Included with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.
  • Ryanair Prime Paid membership with reserved seats and member-only sales.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Ryanair Baggage Allowance

Every Ryanair passenger can bring one small personal bag of up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm, which must fit under the seat in front. To bring a larger 10 kg cabin bag (up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm) on board, you need Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.

Checked bags of 10 kg or 20 kg are paid extras (a 20 kg bag is in Plus and Flexi Plus). Staff check bag sizes at the gate: an oversized bag, or a large bag without Priority, is charged a high gate fee and sent to the hold, so add bags online at booking.

  • Small personal bag (all fares) Up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm, under the seat.
  • Large cabin bag Up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and 10 kg, only with Priority & 2 Cabin Bags.
  • 10 kg checked bag Paid extra, dropped at the bag desk.
  • 20 kg checked bag Paid extra, or included in Plus and Flexi Plus.
  • Gate checks Oversized bags are charged a high fee and go in the hold.
  • Tip Add bags online at booking to save money.

Ryanair Prime: Ryanair Loyalty Programme

Ryanair doesn't run a traditional points-based frequent flyer programme. Instead, it offers Ryanair Prime, a paid annual subscription with benefits such as free reserved seats, travel insurance and exclusive seat sales.

  • Programme Ryanair Prime (paid subscription).
  • Benefits Reserved seats, travel insurance and member-only sales.
  • No points Ryanair has no points-based frequent flyer scheme.
Join or log in on the Ryanair website

Ryanair: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Ryanair’s IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is FR. It appears in flight numbers (for example FR 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is RYR, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is Ryanair part of?

It is not a member of a global airline alliance, although it may still have codeshare or interline agreements with individual airlines.

03Where is Ryanair headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Swords (Dublin), Ireland.

04When was Ryanair founded?

The airline was founded in 1984.

05What are Ryanair’s main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Dublin (DUB) – Main Base.

06What is Ryanair’s frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called Ryanair Prime. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07What size is Ryanair's free small bag?

Up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm, and it must fit under the seat in front of you.

08How do I bring a 10 kg cabin bag on Ryanair?

You need Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (included in the Regular fare and above), which lets you bring a 10 kg bag of up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm on board.

09Can I print my Ryanair boarding pass?

No. Since 12 November 2025, Ryanair boarding passes are digital only and shown in the myRyanair app.

10Does Ryanair charge for airport check-in?

Yes, unless your fare includes it. Online check-in is free and opens 24 hours before departure.

Ryanair, its logo and trademarks are the property of Ryanair DAC and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ryanair unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.