Ryanair has announced that starting next week, passengers will be required to utilize digital boarding passes exclusively. This change, set to take effect on Wednesday, November 12, means that passengers will no longer have the option to download and print physical paper boarding passes.
Instead, travelers must use the digital boarding pass generated within the “myRyanair” app on their mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, during the check-in process for all Ryanair flights. While Ryanair stated that the majority of passengers already use digital boarding passes, with nearly 80% of its 207 million annual passengers doing so, approximately 40 million passengers who prefer alternative methods, like printing passes, will be affected by this transition.
Dara Brady, Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the benefits of this shift to 100% digital boarding passes, highlighting a faster, smarter, and more eco-friendly experience for passengers. The move aims to provide easier access to various in-app features, including ‘Order to Seat,’ real-time flight updates, and direct notifications during disruptions.
In addition to enhancing the travel experience, Ryanair expects the shift to digital boarding passes to reduce airport costs, leading to potentially lower fares for all passengers and saving 300 tons of paper annually. The airline has addressed concerns from customers about potential issues, assuring that passengers who lose their mobile devices can obtain a free boarding pass at the airport if they have already checked in online. Similarly, passengers without access to the app can receive a complimentary boarding pass at the airport if they have completed online check-in.
Ryanair further reassured passengers that the digital boarding pass will be accessible even without a mobile signal as long as the check-in process has been completed online.