Ryanair Goes Paperless: New Check-In Rules Start Nov 3

UPDATE: Ryanair has just announced a significant shift in check-in procedures, requiring all passengers to check in exclusively through their phones. This major change takes effect on November 3, 2023, marking a move towards a completely paperless travel experience across airports in Ireland and throughout Europe.

Starting next month, passengers will only be able to produce electronic boarding passes via the MyRyanair app. Ryanair’s goal is to enhance customer experience, eliminate airport check-in fees, and significantly reduce their environmental impact, with plans to save over 300 tonnes of waste paper annually.

Originally set to launch in May, the transition was postponed to avoid disruptions during the busy summer travel months. Now, as the airline gears up for its less hectic winter schedule, passengers are urged to embrace the new digital requirements.

Concerns have been raised about potential issues, such as losing a phone or running out of battery before boarding. Ryanair has confirmed that assistance will be available at the gate for those facing difficulties. Staff will help gather necessary information and validate it against flight manifests to ensure affected passengers can still board without hassle.

Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dara Brady, stated, “The move to 100% paperless boarding passes from November 2023 will deliver an enhanced travel experience for customers.” Brady further emphasized that digital boarding passes will offer real-time updates during flight disruptions, including alternative flight options, transfers, and hotel accommodations.

With the shift to a digital platform, passengers can also take advantage of the app’s additional features, such as terminal and gate updates, boarding status alerts, and crucial updates from Ryanair’s operations center. The convenience of having all travel documents in one place is poised to streamline the travel experience.

Brady reiterated the importance of this transition, noting, “Like other industries, there has been a massive switch to using mobile. With almost 80% of Ryanair customers already utilizing the MyRyanair app, it is time to transition the remaining passengers to digital.” This change is seen as a critical step as Ryanair plans to grow to 300 million passengers over the next decade.

Passengers are encouraged to download the MyRyanair app and familiarize themselves with its features before the new rules take effect. This urgent update marks a pivotal moment in airline travel, reinforcing the importance of digital solutions in enhancing customer service and reducing environmental impact.

Stay tuned for further updates as Ryanair prepares for this significant change in air travel.