Ryanair's big claim about new check-in rule - but travel expert isn't convinced
Ryanair has announced that it will move to 100% paperless boarding from November and claimed that "almost all" airport check-in fees will be eliminated as a result
A travel expert has questioned a claim made by Ryanair ahead of a major change to the budget airline's check-in policy.
On November 3 Ryanair will move to 100% paperless boarding passes, meaning all passengers will have to present a downloaded, digital boarding pass. When the change comes in, Ryanair says it "expects to eliminate almost all airport check-in fees from Nov 2025, as all passengers will have checked-in online/in-app to generate their digital boarding pass."
However, that claim has raised some big questions. Primarily, how will the new system stop people checking-in late, and what check-in fees are expected to remain?
In its expansive table of fees, Ryanair notes that passengers who fail to check in two hours or more before their flight departs will be charged £55. Even worse, the budget airline recently introduced a £100 'late departure fee'.
The charge kicks in if a traveler arrives at the desk less than 40 minutes before departure and requests rebooking. It also applies up to one hour after the flight leaves, if the passenger wants to catch the next available service.
There is nothing to suggest that the new regime will stop Ryanair customers from checking-in late, or that the new £100 fee will be removed.
Paul Scott, founder of travel comparison site My Budget Break who has worked for and with airlines for years, questioned whether "almost all airport check-in fees" would be eliminated.
"Ryanair has said they will 'eliminate almost all airport check-in fees', which indicates there may still be some sort of fee. Until Ryanair clarifies this, we can only speculate, but being ambiguous allows them flexibility on the policy," he told the Mirror.
"They may not be sure themselves, or this could be as simple as giving passengers a grace period. After all, check-in fees generate revenue for Ryanair. However, with this policy in place, Ryanair could completely refuse passengers without a digital boarding pass. With this in mind, the best thing to do is to get the app and check-in online to help minimise fees."
The Mirror contacted Ryanair and requested that the airline clarify the situation. The firm did offer some advice for passengers who may not be used to working with digital boarding passes.
"If you don't have a smartphone, you have two options, you can ask a friend or family member to download the boarding pass for you or check in online and visit the check-in desk at the airport who will provide assistance," a spokesperson said.
Broadly, the move away from paper boarding passes has been welcomed by the aviation community.
"Ryanair's move to 100% online boarding passes is a no-brainer in today's digital age. You'll still need to use the baggage drop machines and desks if you have check-in luggage, but it certainly won't stop the surprise baggage fees we all love to hate when our hand luggage doesn't meet the correct dimensions," Paul added.
"Is putting a sustainability spin on it 'green-washing'? Perhaps. It's likely to be less about saving the planet and more to do with economics, as it could mean fewer airport staff, fewer airport costs, quicker turnaround times, or simply making sure everyone is a Ryanair member for additional upsells. However, for most of our customers who already use the myRyanair app to check-in and access their boarding passes as part of their package holidays, it will be business as usual."
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