Ryanair's baggage check-in times are changing — here's what you need to know

Ryanair passengers can now check in their bags up to 60 minutes before their scheduled departure time 

Ryanair announced earlier this year that its bag drop and check-in would close 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure – up from the 40-minute bag drop closing time that is currently in place.

Cork Airport has welcomed upcoming changes to Ryanair’s bag drop time, allowing for a more "convenient" passenger experience at the airport.

Ryanair announced earlier this year that its bag drop and check-in would close 60 minutes prior to a flight's scheduled departure – up from the 40-minute bag drop closing time that is currently in place.

The change, which Ryanair says was made to provide more time for passengers to get through airport security and passport queues, will come into effect at all of the airports the airline operates within from November 10.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, communications manager at Cork Airport, Barry Holland, said: “Regarding the bag drop time changes, the decision was made by Ryanair and it applies to all their airports across Europe, not just us here in Cork.

“What is important to add from a Cork perspective is that we have some very convenient self-service bag drop kiosks located on the ground floor. These allow passengers to tag and drop their baggage in a matter of minutes, using the Ryanair mobile app. Help and assistance from an agent is also on hand if a passenger requires it.” 

Holland went on to describe the passenger experience at Cork Airport as “very convenient”, advising passengers to arrive at least 90 minutes before their scheduled flight departure time.

“This allows for time to check in bags, get through security, have a browse around the duty-free shop and enjoy the airside experience,” he said.

Ryanair has also installed more self-service bag-drop kiosks across its airports in Europe, which the airline says speeds up bag-drop and cuts waiting times.

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What has changed?

Check-in times 

Passengers who wish to check in a bag at the dedicated check-in desks or kiosks across all of Ryanair’s European airports, including at Cork Airport, will now be able to do so 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure, instead of today’s 40 minutes.

This gives passengers an additional 20 minutes to check in bags and print bag tags, allowing passengers more time to get through airport security and passport queues, which Ryanair says will reduce the small number of passengers who currently miss their flight departure as they are getting stuck in these airport queues.

Additional kiosks 

Ryanair has installed more self-service bag-drop kiosks across its airports in Europe, which the airline says speeds up bag-drop and cuts waiting times.

The airline says that more than 95% of airports will have these kiosks by October. The self-service kiosks are integrated with the Ryanair app, giving passengers the ability to check in bags and print bag tags.

When will the check-in time change?

Passengers will be able to check in at the dedicated check-in desks and kiosks 60 minutes before their flight is scheduled to depart, from Tuesday, November 10.

Who do these changes apply to?

The changes are relevant to the 20% of Ryanair passengers who wish to check-in a bag, giving them slightly more time to get through airport security and passport queues.

The remaining 80% of passengers who don’t check in bags are unaffected and will continue to check in online (before they arrive at the airport) and go straight to their departure gate when they arrive.

Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said the changes will allow these 20% of our customers (who check in a bag) more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on time, particularly during busy travel periods when some airport queues can be longer.

“We are also installing self-service kiosks at over 95% of Ryanair airports before October. This means a quicker bag-drop service, less queuing at airport desks, and an even more punctual service for the 20% of our customers who still wish to check in a bag, while the 80% (who don’t check in a bag) will be unaffected by this small 20-minute change, as they will continue to check in online before they arrive at the departure airport and they go straight through airport security to their departure gate,” Brady explained.