Ryanair will require passengers to utilize digital boarding passes exclusively starting next week. The airline has notified customers in advance of the significant change set for Wednesday, November 12. Commencing on that date, passengers will no longer have the option to obtain and print a physical paper boarding pass.
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 boarding any of Ryanair’s flights. While Ryanair stated that the vast majority of individuals already utilize digital boarding passes, with nearly 80% of its over 207 million passengers annually doing so, approximately 40 million passengers who prefer alternative methods, like printing their passes, will be affected.
Dara Brady, Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the benefits of a fully digital system, highlighting a faster, smarter, and more eco-friendly experience for passengers. This transition aims to enhance access to various innovative in-app features, including ‘Order to Seat,’ live flight updates, and direct notifications during disruptions.
Ryanair assured that the shift to digital boarding passes would lead to reduced airport costs, potentially lowering fares for all passengers, and saving approximately 300 tonnes of paper annually. In addressing concerns from customers, the airline outlined contingency plans for situations such as lost devices or battery failures, ensuring that affected passengers can still receive assistance.
Moreover, Ryanair clarified that passengers without smartphones or tablets could obtain a complimentary boarding pass at the airport if they had already completed online check-in. Regardless of mobile signal availability, the digital boarding pass will remain accessible once passengers have checked in online.