Ryanair bans paper boarding passes from November — here’s what you need to know

Ryanair confirmed that from Wednesday 12 November 2025, its passengers can't use boarding passes printed at home.

From this date, travellers will be required to generate a boarding pass using the Ryanair app, or check in via the website, then approach the airport check-in desk to get a boarding pass.

The airline estimated in September 2025 that about 20% of Ryanair passengers rely on printed boarding passes. Which? is concerned that the new policy risks making travel on the UK’s largest airline more difficult for millions of older people. In some cases, particularly in regional airports, Ryanair may be one of the only carriers available. 

According to a 2024 Ofcom report, 17% of those aged 65 and over don't own a smartphone. A Statista survey estimates that 23% of adults aged 65 and above don't own a smartphone, along with a further 7% of adults aged 55-64. When we shared the Statista figures with Ryanair, it said:

'Your Statista “research” is false. 100% of adults flying Ryanair have, and regularly use their smartphones.' 

Which? has asked to see evidence to support this claim, but Ryanair did not provide it at the time of publishing

Currently, travellers have a few options when it comes to Ryanair boarding passes: they can download the app and use a ‘mobile pass’ or print out a physical paper boarding pass at home. If they’re unable to do that, they can request a paper boarding pass at the airport for an extra £55.

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With the new changes, the options are:

1. To check in and generate your boarding pass via the Ryanair app 

2. To check in via the Ryanair website before arriving at the airport, then ask for help from a member of Ryanair staff on arrival. Ryanair has confirmed to Which? that it will help passengers free of charge, provided they're already checked in on time. 

But the problem with the second option is that there is currently very limited information about how customers can make use of it. Ryanair’s latest statement refers to boarding passes becoming 100% digital, which suggests that passengers arriving at the airport without a smartphone may be treated as exceptional cases.

We asked Ryanair for further instructions on option two — including how passengers who check in via the website will obtain a boarding pass at the airport, and, crucially, how early they would need to arrive at the airport. It did not respond at the time of publishing. Ryanair confirmed that passengers who checked in at home would not be charged a fee at the airport when the boarding pass is issued.  

How can I get my boarding pass on my phone with Ryanair?

You can currently access your boarding pass via the Ryanair app or via the ‘My Bookings’ part of the Ryanair website. 

When you check in on the website, it’s possible to download a PDF version of your boarding pass to your phone — previously, there was no requirement to download and use the app. 

But Ryanair told us that from Wednesday 12 November, ‘passengers may check-in via the website but will be directed to the myRyanair app to generate their digital boarding pass.’ Or, you will need to approach the check-in desk at the airport to obtain your boarding pass. 

What if I don’t own a smartphone? Can I fly with Ryanair?

Yes, you can still fly with Ryanair — but from November 12, the only way to fly Ryanair without a smartphone is to check in online at home via the website (this can be done on a computer). Ryanair says its staff will then assist you at the airport, but has not shared details on how. 

If you don’t have a device with the Ryanair App, like a smartphone or tablet, you won’t be able to generate your boarding pass at home.

What happens if my phone dies at the airport? Will I miss my flight?

No, as long as you’ve already checked in online, Ryanair says. 

Ryanair has confirmed to Which? that it will assist you and/or print out a new boarding pass without a fee, if you have already checked in online prior to arriving at the airport.

Ryanair told us in July: ‘If someone’s phone dies or breaks, they will be assisted by staff at the gate and their details will be cross-checked and validated against our flight manifest and they will be boarded as normal.’

It has previously also stated that boarding passes can be printed at the gate if necessary, based on passport information, and confirmed that it does not intend to introduce a fee for printing boarding passes at the gate, as long as passengers have checked in online before arriving at the airport.

Is Ryanair removing check-in desks?

No. Though Michael O'Leary, the airline's chief executive, announced earlier in 2025 that he expects to get rid of almost all airport check-in desks, a Ryanair spokesperson told Which? in October 2025:

‘We plan to keep check in desks to assist passengers who have checked in before arriving at their departure airport.’

Ryanair was rated second-worst in our survey of the best and worst airlines.

Are there any airports which don’t accept mobile passes?

Airports in Morocco and Turkey (except Dalaman), and Tirana airport in Albania still don't accept mobile passes for those travelling to the UK, according to Ryanair's website.

If you’re travelling from or via these airports, you should download your boarding pass from your email confirmation or from the app, print it and keep it to hand.

Will British Airways, Jet2 and Wizz Air split up friends and families who don’t pay for a seat?

Can I use a screenshot of my Ryanair boarding pass? Will it work?

Ryanair recommends passengers use the app and its ‘mobile passes’, and doesn't recommend using a screenshot of your boarding pass to travel. Screenshots can be less reliable when scanning.

But if you’d like to keep a screenshot to hand as a backup in case of low battery, poor internet connection, or to send to a friend to keep on your behalf, it’s important to make sure all information is included in the shot, including flight number, full QR code, name, seat number, etc. You should also make sure your phone screen is on full ‘brightness’ to ensure the best chance of it scanning correctly.

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Can I send my boarding pass to another phone?

Again, Ryanair suggests that you use only its app and the mobile passes, rather than screenshots. It's not advisable to rely on a screenshot that you've taken and sent to another phone. 

However, it is possible to share a downloaded pass to another phone or device using email, direct message, Bluetooth or Apple's AirDrop function. If you have an iPhone, you can also add the pass to your Apple Wallet by logging into the Ryanair app on your phone and clicking 'add to wallet' after checking in for the flight.

Do I need internet access to show my Ryanair boarding pass at the airport?

No. You’ll need internet access to get the boarding pass, but it can then be downloaded onto your phone. You can then display the boarding pass at the airport, even if you don’t have internet access.

Do I need to print my Ryanair boarding pass? 

No. As long as you're checked in for your flight and have a mobile pass ready to use or downloaded, there's no need to print your boarding pass. 

And, from November 2025, printed Ryanair boarding passes will no longer be available or accepted — only digital passes.

Has Ryanair changed its baggage rules?

Yes. Ryanair has increased the size of its underseat bag for travellers this summer, meaning an increase in volume of 20%. 

Find out which airline has the most generous hand luggage allowance in our guide to cabin bag sizes in 2025.

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