A Which? survey of 7,000 passengers has revealed that over a quarter (26%) of Ryanair’s passengers have been forced to place their cabin bag into the aircraft’s hold. Despite having nearly 190 seats, Ryanair’s aircraft only have overhead locker space for 90 bags.
Unattended valuables are uninsured
Nearly all travel insurance policies will not cover valuables, cash, passports and visas if they are left unattended. This includes luggage which has been checked into the aircraft’s hold and hand luggage which has been taken there due to space restrictions.
How to avoid having your bag checked in
There are a number of ways to ensure you don’t have to part with your bag at the gate:
- Get a small bag which will fit underneath the seat in front of you. There is no chance this will be taken as it’s only locker space which is limited.
- Make sure the bag conforms with your airline’s baggage policy. If it’s too big then you’ll have to check it in and probably pay a fine at the gate.
- We all hate queueing, but making sure you are one of the first third of passengers to board the aircraft will mean you probably get to keep your bag.
What if you do have to check in your bag?
Remember these points:
- Remove all valuables from your bag. These are not covered by your insurance if checked in.
- Secure your bag as best you can.
- TAKE OUT YOUR PASSPORT – you won’t be reunited with your bag until after security at your destination. If your passport is in the bag which is going around the baggage reclaim belt you’ll find yourself with massive delays.
- If you have a connecting flight then you are in for a world of pain. Your bag will probably only be ‘tagged’ through to your first stop. You may need to go through arrivals to collect your bag, and then back through departures for your connecting flight. ASK SOMEONE FOR HELP. The situation will be different on a case by case basis.
What do I do if my bag got lost?
If the worst happens, and your bag doesn’t make it with you to your destination, firstly find the airline’s representatives at the airport. When the lost bag paperwork has been completed, contact your travel insurance company. Although unable to insure valuables lost in the luggage - they shouldn’t be in there anyway - after a certain period of time, you will be able to claim for replacement items of clothing etc.
Every travel insurance policy is different, so consult your policy booklet for more information. For any questions, or to arrange a travel insurance policy, use the link below, or call our team on 01243 784000.
Infographic from Which? press release: Be prepared if parted with your bag on short-haul flights
