From today, Ryanair passengers have to get their boarding passes via the airline’s app.
The move means that passengers are no longer able to download and print a physical paper boarding pass.
They need to check in online – on Ryanair.com or on the Ryanair App – before arriving at the airport and use the digital boarding pass generated in their “myRyanair” app during check-in.
Passengers who don’t check-in online will have to pay an airport check-in fee of up to £55.
However, passengers who have checked in online but cannot access their boarding pass on their phone can receive a boarding pass at the airport for free.
If passengers don’t have a smartphone or tablet, as long as they have already checked-in online before arriving at the airport, they will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.
Ryanair says the change will deliver a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience. It’s not clear what they mean by faster.
The airline says nearly 80% of its 207M+ annual passengers already use the digital boarding pass.
Ryanair says the 20% using paper boarding passes – 40 million passengers – is a small number!
The move is probably to get passengers to use its app more, and Ryanair is keen to sell the benefits of using the app.
Passengers get access to a range of in-app features, including:
- Order to Seat: Passengers can order food and drinks from their phone.
- Live Flight Information: Real-time status updates on boarding, gates, and delays.
- Direct Updates: Instant notifications from Ryanair’s operations centre during disruption.
- Alternative Flight Options: Real-time alternative flight options during disruption.
- Travel Documents: accessible in one convenient place.
Many passengers might doubt how well these actually work, as Ryanair is not known for the best passenger service.
Concerns
Many people have concerns about this move.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, The Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at Age Action said Ryanair’s decision will affect many people who do not have the skills or cannot afford to do business online.
Some people might not even have a mobile. In this case, they will get a free boarding pass at the airport IF they have checked-in online.
Do digital boarding passes make boarding slower?
Mobile boarding passes have been available for about 20 years, but many passengers prefer the safety and convenience of a paper boarding pass.
A couple of weeks ago, I flew with British Airways from Gatwick to Ibiza and back and noticed that most passengers had a paper boarding pass.
Ryanair says the digital boarding pass makes things faster but my experience is that it often slows things. Passengers can’t find the app on their phone, they can’t find the boarding pass, the battery dies etc.
Of course, it doesn’t really matter how fast or slow boarding is if passengers end up in a huge bunch on the air bridge or inside the aircraft.
