Ryanair Enforces Digital-Only Boarding Passes Starting November 3

Ryanair has announced significant changes to its boarding pass policy, effective from November 3, 2023. Passengers will no longer be able to use paper boarding passes, as the airline transitions to a fully digital system. Only digital boarding passes, accessible through the myRyanair app, will be accepted at departure gates.

The decision aligns with Ryanair’s goal of becoming a completely paperless airline. According to company estimates, this initiative is expected to save approximately 300 tonnes of paper annually. Passengers will need to download their boarding passes directly from the app, which will be available immediately after completing online check-in.

In a statement, Ryanair’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael O’Leary, expressed confidence in the move, citing that between 85% and 90% of passengers currently use smartphones to manage their travel. “We want to move everybody onto smartphone technology,” he stated, emphasizing the need to modernize the boarding process.

Incentives for Staff Amid Changes

In addition to the new boarding pass requirements, Ryanair has introduced plans to increase bonuses for staff who identify passengers attempting to carry oversized baggage onto flights. Starting in November, the airline will raise the incentive for gate staff from €1.50 (£1.29) to €2.50 (£2.16) per intercepted bag. O’Leary defended this strategy during a press conference in London, asserting that he makes “absolutely no apology” for enforcing baggage regulations and preventing passengers from “scamming the system.”

The airline’s dual approach of transitioning to digital boarding passes while tightening baggage policies reflects its commitment to improving operational efficiency and customer experience. Ryanair aims to consolidate all travel documents in one accessible location, ultimately simplifying the travel process for its passengers.

Travelers are encouraged to prepare for this change ahead of their flights in November to ensure a smooth boarding experience.