Airline company Ryanair offers financial incentives to its employees for handling oversized cabin baggage
In a recent revelation, Ryanair, the European low-cost airline, has been paying small financial bonuses to its ground staff for enforcing cabin baggage size rules at boarding gates. Known as the "gate bag bonus," this practice was confirmed by Ryanair in July 2025, following leaked payslips and internal documents[1].
The bonus system, which amounts to approximately €1.50 per oversized cabin bag flagged, is capped at roughly €80 per month. Ryanair claims that fewer than 0.1% of its 200 million annual passengers are affected[1][2]. The airline justifies the bonus as a means to enforce cabin baggage policies "fairly and consistently" and to discourage passengers from bringing bags that exceed size limits, which Ryanair says cause boarding delays and are unfair to compliant passengers[1][2].
However, the controversy arises because critics argue the bonuses create a conflict of interest, incentivizing staff to aggressively enforce rules potentially more for revenue generation than operational necessity[1][3]. Passenger advocates worry this results in inconsistent or overly harsh enforcement, especially at busy or understaffed airports.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary defended the policy, emphasizing the airline’s strict carry-on limits and stating that charging fees and staff incentives are necessary to "eliminate the scourge" of oversized bags, which he says annoy other passengers and delay boarding[2][3]. Moreover, O’Leary has indicated the airline is considering increasing these bonuses to further discourage non-compliant baggage[2][3].
It is important to note that such staff incentives are reportedly common in the airline industry, with other ground handling companies and airlines paying similar small bonuses tied to baggage enforcement, though Ryanair’s practice has drawn particular attention due to the scale of its passenger base and strict baggage policies[1].
Fees for passengers with oversized bags can reach up to €75 at the gate[1][3]. The exact amount paid by Ryanair for the "gate bag bonus" was not revealed. The commissions are not a significant source of revenue, as they are paid to a small percentage of passengers. However, the revelation of this practice could potentially impact Ryanair's reputation and customer trust.
Ryanair, in response, thanks the 99.9% of passengers who comply with their bag rules and encourages them to keep flying[4]. The airline reiterates that its bag rules are agreed upon by passengers before their flight.
References:
[1] The Guardian. (2025, July 1). Ryanair pays staff bonuses for enforcing strict cabin bag rules. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/01/ryanair-pays-staff-bonuses-for-enforcing-strict-cabin-bag-rules
[2] BBC News. (2025, July 1). Ryanair defends staff bonuses for enforcing bag rules. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58967912
[3] The Independent. (2025, July 1). Ryanair under fire for paying staff to enforce strict cabin bag rules. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/ryanair-cabin-baggage-rules-staff-bonuses-pay-a8626246.html
[4] Ryanair. (2025, July 1). Statement on cabin baggage policy. Retrieved from https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/useful-info/help-centre/travel-information/cabin-baggage-policy
The airline industry sometimes incentivizes ground staff with bonuses for enforcing baggage rules, as demonstrated by Ryanair's "gate bag bonus" system. This practice, however, sparks concern among passenger advocates, who fear it may lead to inconsistent or overly harsh enforcement, potentially impacting the travel experience for many passengers.
