Ryanair launched an appeal on social media for passengers to stop traveling in jeans in 2026 and the publication generated thousands of reactions for not explaining the reason, fueling suspicions that it was another provocation from the brand or an indirect reference to baggage rules.
Ryanair content began circulating with the phrase “it’s 2026, let’s stop traveling in jeans” (it’s 2026, stop traveling in jeans), accompanied by a “please”, without any additional explanation about safety, comfort or on-board rules.
Without context, the message left room for interpretation: for some, it’s just humor; for others, it is another communicational “cleaver” that points to old discussions about space, free luggage and extra costs.
What Ryanair said (and what it didn’t say)
So far, the company has not published a formal note clarifying the reason for the appeal, maintaining the typical social media tone it has used in similar publications about “jeans” in recent months.
This strategy is not new: there are publications in which Ryanair “plays” with the topic and provokes reactions precisely by touching a sensitive nerve, the way passengers dress to save space in their luggage.
In the comments (especially in publications on other platforms), references to the same argument are repeated: many people wear jeans because they are bulky and, therefore, avoid carrying them in the small bag allowed for free.
The most likely clue: the “baggage effect” and the way people travel
Although there is no official confirmation of the link between the appeal and the baggage rules, the discussion comes at a time when the free baggage policy continues to be one of the most talked about topics in low cost airlines.
Currently, Ryanair allows one free small piece that must fit under the seat, and charges for additional cabin baggage (such as a 10kg suitcase) through services such as “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags”.
In September 2025, the company announced the installation of larger meters in 235 airports and confirmed the update of the size of the free personal bag to 40×30×20 cm, indicating that this is an increase in volume compared to the previous standard mentioned by the company.
The background: fines, controversies and public scrutiny
The issue of fees for hand luggage has been the subject of decisions and controversy in Spain, where the Ministry of Consumer Affairs fined several companies (including Ryanair) 179 million euros for practices considered abusive, including charging extra for cabin baggage.
In 2025, there was also news that the European Commission challenged the way Spain applied these fines, keeping the debate alive between regulators, consumers and airlines.
In this scenario, any “joke” about clothing, especially something associated with “wearing more to take less”, tends to be read as a message about costs, limits and checks at the boarding gate.
What to do before your next flight
For now, there is no indication that jeans will be banned in 2026: the most prudent thing is to read the publication as an informal communication and always confirm the baggage rules on the official channel before traveling.
If the question is logistics, the practical rule remains: measure your small suitcase to ensure it meets the limit and avoid surprises when boarding, and choose clothes mainly for comfort and mobility, especially on longer flights.
In the end, the controversy says more about the “love-hate” relationship with the brand than about fashion: until there is an explanation, the Internet will continue to do what it does best, fill the silence with theories, memes and complaints about luggage.
Also read:
