Ryanair pushes the time limit forward: Those who are late lose their suitcase — and possibly the flight

Ryanair pushes the time limit forward: Those who are late lose their suitcase — and possibly the flight

From 10 November: Baggage drop 60 minutes before departure at all airports

Key question: Is the new 60‑minute deadline for checked baggage a sensible step to ease security bottlenecks — or is Ryanair shifting responsibility unfairly onto passengers?

From 10 November Ryanair changes the nationwide deadline for checked baggage: instead of the previous 40 minutes before departure, passengers with checked luggage must now be at the counter one hour earlier. Ryanair justifies the move by saying it allows more time for security and passport checks, and points to stricter hand‑luggage checks at Palma Airport.

Critical analysis: On paper one hour sounds reasonable. In practice the measure aggravates several problems. Mallorca has days when the area around Avenida Gabriel Roca and Terminal 1 is tightly crowded in the morning and evening: coaches, taxis, car queues at the parking garage, people with rolling suitcases jumping off buses at the last minute. If more passengers arrive earlier, peak loads form in front of the check‑in counters and in security areas — exactly where the airline hopes to relieve pressure.

It also remains unclear how strictly the new cutoff will be enforced. Will counters be closed in doubtful cases even if the aircraft is still at the gate? Will there be leniency for travel delays caused by things like tunnel closures or late buses? Travelers arriving at the airport with a child and bulky luggage risk suddenly having to rebook at their own expense or lose their checked bag — a strain that can ruin the start of a holiday.

What is missing from the public debate are figures that actually help. How often do delays really result from late baggage drop, and how much is due to staff shortages at counters or security checkpoints, or even planned walkouts at Azul Handling? What coordination exists between Ryanair and AENA (airport operator) for peak times in Mallorca? And: which alternatives were considered — longer counter opening hours, temporary extra teams, pre‑booked online time slots for baggage drop?

A typical scene from Palma: It is 06:30, the streets still damp from last night’s rain. On Plaça Espanya a family from Cologne waits for the bus to the airport, the father hurriedly pulls two rolling suitcases, the little girl grumbles because her toy is still at the hotel. At the stop an older couple with a bike case — they checked in online but the bulky luggage must be handed in. If the new 60‑minute rule applies now, that means: leave earlier, tighter schedule, more stress on the first day of vacation.

Concrete suggestions: Travelers should prefer online check‑in and, when possible, travel carry‑on only by following Ryanair's new carry‑on rule. Those checking baggage should plan generously: arriving 90 minutes before departure is a reasonable guideline on Mallorca in high season. Airport and airline should communicate better: clear indications during booking, automated SMS reminders and the option to book baggage‑drop time slots. On the airport side, temporary extra counters, clearer signage and more staff during peak times are sensible measures. For Mallorca a dialogue between the airport company, transport associations and airlines would also help to better align bus schedules and check‑in deadlines.

Sharp conclusion: Extending the deadline is not inherently wrong — it addresses a real problem. What will be decisive is whether Ryanair and the airport operators close the implementation gaps or simply place the burden on passengers. For everyone soon departing from Palma Airport: put away pocket knives, have your boarding pass on your phone, and maybe enjoy one more coffee on the promenade — then the suitcase will make it too.