Are you heading home for Christmas or planning a winter getaway? Ryanair is changing its airport baggage rules, and arriving 40 minutes before your flight could now leave you watching the plane take off without you.
If you are flying with Ryanair from Alicante-Elche Airport, there is an important change to remember.
From Tuesday 10 November, passengers checking in luggage must complete the bag-drop process at least 60 minutes before their flight’s scheduled departure.
Until now, the deadline was 40 minutes.
The new rule applies to all airports served by the airline, including Alicante-Elche.
What exactly is changing?
The change affects passengers who need to use Ryanair’s airport check-in or bag-drop desks.
Previously, these services closed 40 minutes before departure. From tomorrow, they will close a full hour beforehand.
For example, if your flight from Alicante to Manchester leaves at 12:00, your suitcase must be checked in and handed over before 11:00.
Turning up at the desk at 11:05 could mean you are too late, even though your flight is not scheduled to leave for another 55 minutes.
What if you only have hand luggage?
Good news. If you have checked in online and are travelling with cabin baggage only, the new bag-drop deadline does not affect you.
You can continue through security and head to your departure gate as usual.
Ryanair says approximately 80% of its passengers travel without checked luggage, so most customers will see no change.
Why is Ryanair making the change?
Ryanair says the earlier deadline will give passengers more time to get through security and passport control.
Anyone who has flown between Alicante and the UK during a busy holiday period will understand the reasoning.
Even after dropping off your suitcase, you may still face queues at security and passport checks before reaching the gate.
By closing bag drop earlier, the airline hopes to reduce the number of passengers who miss their flights because they get caught in airport queues.
How early should you arrive at Alicante Airport?
Ryanair has not introduced a new universal arrival time. The important requirement is that your bags must be accepted before the 60-minute cut-off.
For passengers travelling with hold luggage, arriving around two hours before departure is a sensible starting point, although busy periods may require more time.
60 minutes is the deadline for completing bag drop, not the time to join the queue.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- When does the new rule start? Tuesday 10 November 2026.
- Does it affect Alicante Airport? Yes. The change applies to Ryanair flights from Alicante-Elche and other airports across its network.
- What is the new deadline? Airport check-in and bag drop close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of 40 minutes.
- Who is affected? Passengers checking in hold luggage or needing airport check-in services.
- What if I only have hand luggage? The new bag-drop deadline does not affect you if you have already checked in online.
- What if my flight leaves at 12:00? Your checked luggage must be handed over before 11:00.
- Does online check-in change? No. Ryanair’s usual online check-in rules still apply.
Enjoy more Alicante-Elche Airport news.
