Ryanair: Farewell to Paper Boarding Passes,
How Digital Check-in Works

What changes for passengers

Starting Wednesday, 12 November 2025, all Ryanair passengers must use Digital Boarding Passes (DBP) exclusively. Traditional printed boarding passes are no longer accepted at any airport served by the airline.

This means that every traveller must complete online check-in through the official website or the Ryanair app before heading to the airport.

The airline has issued an official reminder highlighting the importance of becoming familiar with the new system to avoid disruptions during travel.

Special attention has been given to proactive communication, with informational emails sent to all customers with active bookings and warning messages displayed during the booking process for new flights.

For anyone who does not check in online, Ryanair has introduced a €55 fee for issuing the boarding pass at the airport, a policy designed to encourage adoption of the digital system and cover additional administrative costs.

How the Ryanair digital boarding pass works

The process for obtaining the digital boarding pass has been designed to be simple and intuitive:
• Complete online check-in: Passengers must complete check-in on Ryanair.com or via the Ryanair app before arriving at the airport. Standard free check-in is available from 4 days before departure until 2 hours before the flight. Passengers who purchased a seat can check in up to 60 days before departure.
• Automatic access to the DBP: After completing check-in, the digital boarding pass automatically appears in the Ryanair app, ready for use. You can also save it to your smartphone wallet or download it as a PDF for offline access.
• Use at the airport: Passengers must present the DBP at airport security and at the boarding gate. Simply show the screen of your mobile device to staff. Some airports also have automatic scanners capable of reading the QR code directly from the phone display.
• Document verification: Passengers must always carry a valid ID (identity card or passport) that exactly matches the information entered during booking.

Benefits of the digital transition

Ryanair’s decision to move entirely to digital boarding passes provides numerous benefits:

For passengers:

• Improved customer service: The DBP provides updated flight information and facilitates rebooking in case of cancellations or delays. Passengers receive push notifications directly on their device if there are changes to the departure time or gate.
• Cost reduction: Eliminating paper-based processes helps keep fares low for everyone. According to the airline, this digital transition saves approximately €0.50 per passenger, contributing to lower prices.
• Greater convenience: No need to print the boarding pass or worry about losing it. Families travelling together can manage all boarding passes from one device, further simplifying the process.
• Quick access to information: The app allows passengers to easily check gate numbers, delays, and other useful real-time information.

For the environment:

• Positive ecological impact: Eliminating paper boarding passes saves around 300 tonnes of paper per year, significantly reducing environmental impact. Given that Ryanair transports over 150 million passengers annually, the resource savings are substantial.
• Support for sustainability: This initiative aligns with the airline’s environmental sustainability goals, reducing waste and promoting greener practices in the aviation sector. Ryanair has stated that this is only one of many initiatives included in its environmental sustainability plan for the coming years.
• Reduction in CO2 emissions: Less paper also means fewer transport operations needed for distributing printed materials across airports, resulting in lower carbon emissions.

Enhanced management of delays and cancellations

A particularly important aspect of the new digital boarding pass is the improved handling of disruptions. In the event of delays or cancellations, the digital system offers significant advantages over the previous paper-based approach:

Immediate communication

Passengers receive real-time push notifications on their mobile device, with continuous updates on the flight status. The Ryanair app provides detailed information on the reason for the delay or cancellation when available.

Automatic rebooking

In case of cancellation, the system can automatically suggest available alternative flights, allowing passengers to select their preferred option directly through the app. The digital boarding pass is automatically updated with the new flight details, without the need to visit airport assistance counters.

Refund management

Through the app, passengers can immediately initiate the refund process in case of cancellation when covered by Regulation EC 261/2004. The system keeps track of all details of the original flight, simplifying compensation claims.

Practical advice for passengers

It is recommended to document delays by taking photos of airport information screens and keeping all communications received from the airline. In case of significant delays (over 2 hours), passengers are entitled to assistance under European regulations, which may include meals, drinks, and, in some cases, hotel accommodation. This information is communicated through the app, along with instructions on how to access these services. To facilitate any refund or compensation claim, passengers should keep all receipts for expenses incurred due to the delay or cancellation.
Remember also that passengers experiencing flight delays within the European Union have the right to receive compensation ranging from €250 to €600, in addition to benefiting from assistance services at the airport. EU regulations regarding air passenger rights stipulate that airlines must provide compensation for delays of over 3 hours, provided that the responsibility for the delay lies directly with the airline.

Dedicated assistance

The app includes a section for assistance with disruptions, with detailed guides on how to proceed in case of delays, cancellations, or other issues. There is also a real-time chat service with Ryanair agents, accessible directly from the app, for personalised support when needed.

How can I get my compensation?

Here's how to do it in 3 simple steps: