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Ryanair phases out printed boarding passes in push for full digital adoption
Ryanair will no longer accept printed boarding passes at airports starting Wednesday, November 13, 2025, as the airline transitions to an all-digital system, the company announced. The policy shift applies to its entire network except Morocco, where paper passes remain mandatory under local regulations.
Rationale behind the change
The budget carrier cited efficiency gains, cost reductions, and environmental benefits as key drivers for the decision. In a statement, Ryanair noted that 90% of its 206 million annual passengers already use digital boarding passes, having checked in online prior to arrival.
Passengers who fail to complete online check-in before reaching the airport will face fees up to £55, the airline confirmed. However, travelers who have checked in digitally but cannot access their mobile boarding pass may obtain a replacement at no cost-a change from the previous £20 charge.
Concerns over digital exclusion
Critics warn the policy risks disproportionately affecting older adults and those without reliable internet access. A 2025 report by UK communications regulator Ofcom found that 5% of the population lacks home internet, including mobile connectivity.
"The digital revolution has gone completely bonkers, to be honest. More and more services now demand apps or QR codes, which many older people struggle to navigate."
Dennis Reed, Silver Voices campaign group, via BBC Radio 4
Passenger experiences
Peggy-Ann Munroe, a 94-year-old from Suffolk who frequently flies Ryanair to visit her daughter in Italy, called the change "depressing." She expressed concerns about added travel time-already two hours before departure-and the challenge of using unfamiliar digital systems in a non-English-speaking country.
"I'd be heartbroken if I couldn't see my daughter. These trips are the highlight of my year."
Peggy-Ann Munroe, Ryanair passenger
Operational adjustments
Despite the shift, Ryanair will maintain airport check-in desks. The airline emphasized that the move aligns with broader industry trends toward digitalization, though it acknowledged potential hurdles for some travelers.
Morocco remains the sole exception to the new rule, with passengers on those routes still permitted to collect paper boarding passes at the airport.
