Ryanair will implement a new policy requiring passengers to utilize digital boarding passes exclusively starting next week. The airline announced this update in advance of the upcoming change on Wednesday, November 12. After this date, passengers will no longer have the option to print physical paper boarding passes; instead, they must use the digital boarding pass available in the “myRyanair” app on their mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets during the check-in process for all flights.
According to Ryanair, the majority of passengers, approximately 80% of over 207 million annual passengers, already use digital boarding passes. However, around 40 million passengers who prefer alternative methods, like printing passes, will be affected by this transition.
Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dara Brady, emphasized that the shift to 100% digital boarding passes will enhance the travel experience by offering a faster, smarter, and more eco-friendly process. The airline also highlighted additional benefits such as access to in-app features like ‘Order to Seat,’ live flight updates, and direct notifications during disruptions.
The move towards digital boarding passes is expected to reduce airport costs, leading to potentially lower fares for all passengers and an annual saving of 300 tonnes of paper. Ryanair assured customers that contingencies are in place for situations where passengers may lose their mobile devices or lack access to the app, ensuring they can still obtain a boarding pass at the airport if necessary.
Furthermore, Ryanair clarified that passengers without smartphones or tablets can receive a free boarding pass at the airport provided they have checked in online beforehand. The airline also confirmed that the digital boarding pass will be accessible even without mobile signal availability for passengers who have completed online check-in.