Air travel often comes with its fair share of stress—long queues, tight spaces, and above all, the challenge of fitting your life into a carry-on bag. But a recent update from the European Union might be a breath of fresh air for travellers who dread repacking at the gate. In response to new EU regulations, Ryanair has officially increased the dimensions of its free cabin baggage allowance from 40cm x 20cm x 25cm to a more generous 40cm x 30cm x 20cm. That’s a 20% boost in volume—a change that has flyers cautiously optimistic.
Ryanair cheekily confirmed the update via X (formerly Twitter), writing: “yes, it’s true… our free bag size is increasing by 20% (we’ll still be watching),” a nod to the airline’s well-known strictness on hand luggage.
The Secret Weapon? Cardboard. Yes, Really.
But what does one do with this newfound space? Enter packaging expert Tom Schott from Schott Packaging, whose carry-on hack has sparked buzz across frequent flyer communities. His advice isn’t about cramming in more—rather, it’s about how you use the space.
“The new dimension is a game-changer, but only if you use it wisely,” Schott said according to a report from UNILAD. “The mistake is to simply cram more in. The real victory for passengers is using that volume to pack with structure. A well-packed bag is a compliant bag.”
His surprising recommendation? Add a snug-fitting cardboard box inside your soft bag. This simple hack not only prevents the fabric from bulging—something that often draws attention from gate staff—but also helps you utilise every single corner of your allowance.
Crush-Proof Zone for Your Essentials
According to Schott, placing a small box cushioned by clothes in the centre of your bag serves multiple functions. It acts as a frame, keeps your items compact, and creates a “crush-proof” zone for chargers, toiletries, and gadgets—protecting them from leaks, pressure, and damage.
This makes taking out and re-packing electronics during security checks a breeze, since their designated space remains undisturbed. It’s not just clever—it’s efficient.
Visualise Before You Pack
Another underrated tip? Layout your items before packing. “It gives you a real-world view of what fits and helps you assemble your packed modules logically and quickly,” said Schott. This level of structure could save travellers from the dreaded gate-side fees for oversized baggage.
“These aren’t just clever tricks, but core principles of efficient packing,” Schott said.
So, the next time you’re staring at your suitcase, overwhelmed by what to leave behind, consider this: a humble piece of cardboard might just be your ticket to hassle-free travel. Because sometimes, a little structure can go a long way—especially at 30,000 feet.
Ryanair cheekily confirmed the update via X (formerly Twitter), writing: “yes, it’s true… our free bag size is increasing by 20% (we’ll still be watching),” a nod to the airline’s well-known strictness on hand luggage.
yes, it’s true…
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) July 15, 2025
our free bag size is increasing by 20% 🙄
(we’ll still be watching 👀)
The Secret Weapon? Cardboard. Yes, Really.
But what does one do with this newfound space? Enter packaging expert Tom Schott from Schott Packaging, whose carry-on hack has sparked buzz across frequent flyer communities. His advice isn’t about cramming in more—rather, it’s about how you use the space.
“The new dimension is a game-changer, but only if you use it wisely,” Schott said according to a report from UNILAD. “The mistake is to simply cram more in. The real victory for passengers is using that volume to pack with structure. A well-packed bag is a compliant bag.”
His surprising recommendation? Add a snug-fitting cardboard box inside your soft bag. This simple hack not only prevents the fabric from bulging—something that often draws attention from gate staff—but also helps you utilise every single corner of your allowance.
Crush-Proof Zone for Your Essentials
According to Schott, placing a small box cushioned by clothes in the centre of your bag serves multiple functions. It acts as a frame, keeps your items compact, and creates a “crush-proof” zone for chargers, toiletries, and gadgets—protecting them from leaks, pressure, and damage.
This makes taking out and re-packing electronics during security checks a breeze, since their designated space remains undisturbed. It’s not just clever—it’s efficient.
Visualise Before You Pack
Another underrated tip? Layout your items before packing. “It gives you a real-world view of what fits and helps you assemble your packed modules logically and quickly,” said Schott. This level of structure could save travellers from the dreaded gate-side fees for oversized baggage.
“These aren’t just clever tricks, but core principles of efficient packing,” Schott said.
So, the next time you’re staring at your suitcase, overwhelmed by what to leave behind, consider this: a humble piece of cardboard might just be your ticket to hassle-free travel. Because sometimes, a little structure can go a long way—especially at 30,000 feet.
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