Ryanair will mandate the use of digital boarding passes starting next week. The airline has announced this significant change will take effect on Wednesday, November 12, eliminating the option for passengers to obtain physical paper boarding passes.
Instead, travelers will be required to utilize the digital boarding pass available on the “myRyanair” app on their mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to facilitate the check-in process for all flights.
While Ryanair noted that the majority of passengers already employ digital boarding passes, with nearly 80% of its 207 million annual passengers doing so, there are still approximately 40 million individuals who may be impacted by this transition.
Dara Brady, Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the benefits of this shift to fully digital boarding, including a more efficient and environmentally friendly experience for passengers. The move is also expected to offer easier access to various in-app features, such as ‘Order to Seat,’ live flight updates, and direct notifications during disruptions.
This initiative is anticipated to lead to reduced airport costs and ultimately lower fares for all Ryanair passengers, while also saving an estimated 300 tonnes of paper annually.
To address concerns from customers regarding potential inconveniences, Ryanair has assured that passengers who lose their mobile device can obtain a free boarding pass at the airport if they have already completed online check-in. Similarly, if a device battery dies before reaching airport security or boarding, assistance will be provided.
For passengers without smartphones or tablets, Ryanair has confirmed that free boarding passes will be available at the airport as long as they have checked in online in advance. Additionally, the airline specified that the digital boarding pass will be accessible regardless of mobile signal availability once online check-in has been completed.