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Ryanair’s Digital-Only Boarding Passes and Winter Travel: Pack Smart for Cold Destinations

Ryanair’s Digital-Only Boarding Passes and Winter Travel: Pack Smart for Cold Destinations

Ryanair is modernising the way it deals with passengers by introducing a digital-only boarding policy. From 12th November, passengers won’t be able to just print their boarding passes at home when they use Ryanair. They will need to show them through the Ryanair app or website.

This is a big change for travellers but is only one thing they need to think about when they’re travelling to a colder destination this winter. They also need to think about getting the right cabin bag for their low-temperature journey. 

Some of the challenges that come with travelling in the winter include packing heavier coats, boots and several layers. This means it’s even more important to make the right luggage choices than it is during the warmer months of the year. When you have the right cabin bag, you can skip baggage check-in queues and avoid oversize fees whilst staying organised. You just need to make sure you understand what your Ryanair allowance is and get a bag that meets it as well as your destination, the length of your trip and your specific travel needs. 

Ryanair’s Digital-Only Boarding Pass Policy

Digital boarding passes can make travel both faster and simpler. Ryanair now expect you to check in using the Ryanair app or website. You can show your boarding pass on your smartphone and show it at the gate. This reduces paper use, makes boarding smoother and can shorten the amount of time you spend making your way through the airport. It does mean that you need to be prepared, keep your phone charged, double-check that you’ll be easily able to display your pass and maybe even take a screenshot of the pass so you can use it as a back-up if you can’t access the internet. It may also be a good move to copy your digital boarding pass to your phone’s ‘wallet’ if you have that facility available to you.

Many people will be flying to colder destinations with Ryanair over coming months. You might need to transport multiple layers, boots, gloves and accessories. All of these can take up a lot of space. If you have a bag that fits Ryanair’s current size restrictions, which if you have Priority boarding are 55 x 40 x 20 for cabin luggage and an 40x30x20 cm underseat bag, you can move quickly and board the plane without stress. 

Ryanair's Winter Destinations

There are lots of popular winter destinations that you can travel to with Ryanair. This means you can choose between a wide range of city breaks and more remote destinations.

Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland

Rovaniemi is a true winter wonderland that’s famous for snow-covered landscapes, husky safaris and the Northern Lights. Ryanair flights have made this Arctic destination more accessible than ever. If you're travelling to this extremely cold location, you'll need insulated boots, thermal layers, thick gloves and a waterproof jacket. You can pair a large cabin bag with an underseat bag to help keep heavier clothing organised and access your digital boarding pass quickly.

Warsaw, Poland

Warsaw is really popular when it comes to short city breaks. It’s still a top choice amongst those seeking classic Polish architecture, unforgettable cultural experiences and delicious local cuisine. Ryanair helps thousands of passengers get to Warsaw every week. The city receives more than its fair share of snow and wind, so you will need to pack gloves, scarves and layered clothing to enjoy it in comfort. Our hard-shell cabin suitcases are ideal for heavier clothing, and you can maximise space whilst staying organised when you pair them with a compact underseat bag. 

Oslo, Norway

Ryanair also flies to Oslo. This Norwegian city is the home of snow-covered streets and the chilly temperatures that inevitably come with them. This is why you need to pack a warm waterproof coat, thermal layers, gloves and a hat to ensure your Oslo adventure runs smoothly. We can give you access to a main cabin bag for bulkier items and an underseat bag for essentials like the phone you’ll need to download your boarding pass to. 


Choosing the Right Cabin Max Bags for Winter Travel

It’s essential to choose the right luggage when you’re travelling in winter. Here are four leading options that will fit Ryanair’s allowance and are great for wintry adventures. 

Cabin Max Anode 40L Cabin Suitcase

This structured cabin suitcase is perfect for city breaks and winter trips. It’s got a robust exterior that will protect your clothes and accessories as well as smooth wheels which make it much easier for you to make your way through airports and cobbled streets. You’ll find multiple compartments inside that make it easy for you to organise your thermal layers, gloves and boots. It’s compliant with Ryanair’s Priority boarding allowance and great for travellers seeking a sturdy and dependable main bag.  

Manhattan 24L Cabin Backpack

The Manhattan 24L meets the free underseat luggage allowance you’ll get from Ryanair. It’s lightweight at just 0.5kg and comes with a padded laptop compartment, internal pockets and a rear trolley strap. It comes with lockable zips and a front ticket pocket for easy access. It's ideal for winter city breaks or any flight where convenience matters due to its durability and compact form.

Iseo 24L Cabin Backpack

The Iseo has long been the top cabin-bag choice for trips where there is a possibility of inclement weather. The water-resistant coated 600D shell will shrug off a light rain or snow shower, ensuring your belongings stay dry. The 24L main compartment is surprisingly spacious due to its square shape, meaning you can pack much more than you think possible - including a laptop. It also benefits from dual openings; a large clamshell opening that makes packing a cinch, as well as a roll top opening that makes grabbing an item whilst on the go easy peasy. Available in 20L or 24L sizes that both comply with Ryanair’s hand luggage rules, the Iseo is ideal for winter adventures.

Packing Tips for Winter Travel with Ryanair

It’s essential that you pack smart if your winter trip is to be a success, so we recommend that you wear your bulkiest items like coats, big jumpers, scarves and boots to the airport to save space. As aircraft are usually kept quite cold, these can also help you feel cosy whilst on board too.

Packing cubes or vacuum packing bags can help compress puffy winter clothing, like gilets, by more than you may imagine, so consider them as a worthwhile accessory. 
Winter activities often involve a mix of frigid outdoor environments followed by cosy indoor breaks, so pack a range of versatile layers that you can easily put on or take off. Even if your trip does not involve any winter sports, you might find packing a thermal base of tops or leggings to be an extremely effective way to stay warm, even if you are just strolling around a Christmas market. Thermals are thin and easily rolled, so are a great choice for under layers if space is at a premium in your hand luggage. 

As with a summer travel wardrobe, try to co-ordinate matching or complimentary colours as this will ensure you will have options, should you need to mix and match pieces during your trip. A simple fleece or woollen jumper can be a great starting point to work your look around.

Choose thicker socks for winter trips, for obvious reasons, even if they are much bulkier than their summer counterparts. Well known packing hacks like stuffing socks inside shoes are less effective with big bulky winter socks, so be prepared to perhaps take fewer pairs along and wash and dry them overnight at your accommodation. We all know that once the cold penetrates areas like your feet, it can be hard to shift, so avoid thin socks, even if they are easier to pack.

Take a bottle of travel detergent with you too - all of those layers, the exertion of winter sports and a lack of airflow can mean that garments may start to smell and need a wash before they ordinarily might, so a travel-sized bottle of detergent will help you avoid having to raid your hotel’s hand soap supply.

If you’re a Priority passenger with Ryanair, you can opt for the dual-bag strategy and take one overhead cabin bag and one underseat bag on board. This will help you to stay organised and make sure that boarding with a digital pass is quick and stress-free.
Always check the Ryanair app before leaving, keep your phone charged and make sure your digital boarding pass is accessible. When you prepare for your flight properly and use the right Cabin Max bag or bags, you can ensure that you enjoy a smooth, hassle-free journey from the moment you check-in to when you arrive.

Why Cabin Max is the Best and Most Reliable Brand for Travellers

A Cabin Max, we’re proud to have become one of the most reliable traveller-focused brands in the UK and Europe. We’ve specialised in creating practical, stylish and durable cabin bags that meet airline restrictions for years, and we design each and every bag with keen travellers in mind. We take a great deal of care in ensuring every element meets your needs, from the compartments for your key accessories to the stitching and unique visual appeal. 

We’re focussed not only on style, size and compliance but everything else modern travellers are looking for too. All of our bags are designed thoughtfully to make sure they’re right for your needs. The products we design and supply help you pack efficiently, separate layers and keep all your essentials accessible, including the phone you’ll be storing your digital-only boarding pass on when you travel with Ryanair or any other carrier which might also introduce this policy in future. 

Another great reason for choosing us is the wide range of options we offer, which include backpacks, foldable holdalls, structured cabin cases and underseat bags that cater to both casual travellers and highly experienced globetrotters. We test each design to ensure it meets strict airline cabin size restrictions. This gives you the peace of mind that your luggage will pass through gates without any problems. 

We also have an unbreakable commitment to quality and customer service which makes the buying experience as stress-free as the journey itself. It’s easy to use our website and browse the products, compare bags, read customer reviews and find the perfect solution for their trip’s length, climate of the destination and their personal packing style. 

Streamline Your Winter Travel Experience

Ryanair’s digital-only boarding passes look set to make travel more streamlined, and you can make your winter trips run even more smoothly by pairing them with the right luggage. Cabin Max bags are here to help you stay organised, avoid fees and enjoy visiting classic winter destinations around the world. Whether you’re heading to Lapland, Oslo, Warsaw or anywhere else, packing smart will make sure you're fully focussed on the experience and not left frustrated. 

Find Out More

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need any help with finding the right Cabin Max bags for winter travel. You can reach us by using the convenient live chat function on our site or by sending a message to info@cabinmax.com. We’ll respond right away. 

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