Ryanair has announced that it will delay the introduction of its 100% paperless boarding passes until winter 2025. The move, originally scheduled for earlier, will now commence from the start of its winter schedule on November 3, 2025.
This means that passengers will no longer need to download and print physical paper boarding passes, but instead use a digital pass generated in the ‘myRyanair’ app during check-in. Currently, almost 80% of Ryanair’s 200 million passengers already utilise digital boarding passes.
The airline anticipates that this initiative will eliminate nearly all airport check-in fees from November 2025, as all passengers will have checked-in online or via the app to generate their digital boarding pass. Ryanair believes that this transition to entirely paperless boarding will help reduce its carbon footprint by eliminating unnecessary paper usage, saving over 300 tonnes in paper waste annually.
The ‘myRyanair’ app is also expected to enhance travellers’ experience with the airline, offering features such as live flight information and updates, direct updates from Ryanair’s operations centre during disruption, terminal, gate and boarding status updates, real-time alternative flight options during disruption and all travel documents accessible in one place.
Get all the latest money news and budgeting tips from Chronicle Live with our free newsletter
The decision by Ryanair to phase out in-person check-in has sparked concerns among passengers who fear it could disadvantage those less comfortable with technology, potentially leading to job losses. The airline, known for imposing fines on customers for late check-ins or slightly oversized bags, was highlighted last week by the Mirror for charging a £50 fee for bookings made via phone—a practice that can be particularly challenging for blind individuals, reports the Mirror.
In a previous incident reported by Mirror journalist Ruby Flanagan, she faced a £50 charge from Ryanair for bringing a bottle onto a plane. Defending the airline’s position, Ryanair CMO Dara Brady stated: “Ryanair is Europe’s number one airline for choice, low fares, and customer service. This move to 100 per cent paperless boarding passes from November 2025 will allow us to deliver an enhanced travel experience for customers, streamlined through the myRyanair app during our less busy winter schedule.”
He added, “This will be particularly useful to passengers during disruptions as it will facilitate real-time updates from our Ops Centre directly to passengers’ phones, and will also provide them with alternative flight options, and offer transfers or hotel accommodation options when necessary.”
Ryanair is set to fully dispense with the need for paper boarding passes in a significant move towards enhancing digital convenience and reducing its environmental impact. The Irish airline announced: “Like other ticket industries (concert, sports venues, rail, etc.) there has been a massive switch to using mobile, and with almost 80 per cent of Ryanair customers already using the myRyanair app, it is time to transition the remaining passengers to digital, which will see them reduce their carbon footprint and receive a smoother and enhanced travel experience from November 2025 as Ryanair continues to grow to 300 million passengers over the next decade.”
Lead passengers will be empowered to download boarding passes for everyone on their booking directly to their phones and can effortlessly share them via WhatsApp.
Furthermore, Ryanair is prepared to assist passengers who might confront the predicament of lost smartphones or depleted batteries after check-in at no additional cost. Initially, CEO Michael O’Leary hoped for an earlier rollout of this digital shift, targeting May, and even eyes eliminating physical check-in desks in the future.
Currently, passengers incur fees for printing boarding passes at airport check-in desks, including re-issuing costs of €20 (£16.68) and standard airport check-in fees of €55 (£45.86), though those departing from Spain pay a reduced rate of €30 (£25.01).
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/travel-tourism/ryanair-makes-dramatic-u-turn-31138294
