Ryanair to Go Digital-Only for Boarding Passes Starting November 2025: What UK and European Travelers Need to Know

In a significant move towards modernization, Ryanair, one of Europe’s largest low-cost airlines, has announced that it will require all passengers to use digital boarding passes starting November 2025. The airline’s transition to 100% digital boarding follows the growing trend of simplifying and streamlining the travel experience. From Harrogate to London and other major UK destinations, Ryanair passengers will now be expected to check-in online and download their boarding passes directly onto the airline’s myRyanair app.

This policy shift, which is being implemented after a trial period, has already raised concerns among some passengers, especially the elderly and those not familiar with smartphones or digital technology. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how the new policy works, what passengers can do if they cannot access their digital boarding pass, and what exceptions exist for certain travelers. With this move, Ryanair aims to enhance the travel experience by speeding up check-in processes, reducing paper waste, and improving overall efficiency.

As digital technology continues to play a bigger role in the travel industry, Ryanair’s decision to fully embrace mobile check-ins reflects the broader digitalization trend in the airline sector, where more airlines are adopting paperless travel solutions. The question remains whether the digital transition will be seamless for all passengers or if it will lead to further challenges, particularly for those who are less tech-savvy.

Key Highlights:

New Policy: From November 2025, Ryanair will accept only digital boarding passes.
Digital Boarding Pass: Passengers will check-in via the myRyanair app and receive a QR code for entry.
Elderly Passengers’ Concerns: The new policy has sparked concerns for travelers without smartphones or those unfamiliar with digital apps.
Exceptions: Passengers who can’t access their digital boarding pass can request a paper pass at the airport.
Environmental Benefits: The move aligns with the airline’s efforts to reduce paper waste and improve operational efficiency.

Why Ryanair is Making the Switch to Digital Boarding Passes

Ryanair’s shift to digital boarding passes is part of the airline’s broader initiative to streamline its operations and enhance the passenger experience. By requiring passengers to use the myRyanair app for boarding, the airline aims to improve efficiency at the gates, reduce the time spent processing check-ins, and reduce the administrative burden associated with paper ticketing.

Digital boarding passes have been used widely across other industries, such as concerts and sports events, and Ryanair’s move comes after a similar adoption in other transportation sectors, particularly in European rail travel. With more than 80% of Ryanair’s passengers already using digital boarding passes, the airline believes the transition will be relatively smooth and could eventually become a standard across the European airline industry.

This move is expected to reduce queues at the airport, speed up the boarding process, and contribute to the airline’s sustainability efforts by reducing paper waste. Additionally, mobile boarding passes can easily be integrated into passengers’ smartphones, providing them with real-time updates, notifications, and easy access to their travel documents.

How Will the New Digital Boarding Pass System Work?

Starting in November 2025, Ryanair passengers will need to:

Check-in online: All passengers will need to check in via the Ryanair website or the myRyanair app.
Download the boarding pass: Once check-in is complete, the boarding pass will be sent directly to the passenger’s phone.
Boarding: Upon arrival at the gate, passengers will scan the QR code from their digital boarding pass to board the plane.
Ticket inspections: The QR code will also be used for inspections during security checks, allowing a smooth and quick entry to the gate.

The digital boarding pass will serve as an all-in-one travel document, allowing passengers to navigate the airport, enter the plane, and pass through security barriers seamlessly, without needing to carry paper tickets.

What If You Can’t Access Your Digital Boarding Pass?

While the transition to digital boarding passes aims to make the travel process more efficient, some passengers may face challenges accessing their digital tickets. For those who are unable to use the myRyanair app, the airline has made provisions to accommodate them:

Elderly Passengers: Ryanair acknowledges the potential challenges faced by elderly travelers or passengers who are not familiar with using smartphones. In such cases, paper boarding passes will still be available at the check-in desks at the airport.
Lost Connectivity or Battery Issues: For passengers who lose access to their phone (e.g., phone battery dies or they lose internet connection), they can request a paper boarding pass at the airport after completing their online check-in.
Flights from Morocco: Due to government regulations in Morocco, paper boarding passes will still be issued, even if passengers have checked in online.

This ensures that Ryanair‘s digital boarding pass policy is not entirely inflexible and that passengers who may face digital accessibility issues can still board their flights without unnecessary stress.

Potential Privacy and Security Concerns

With the growing use of smartphones for travel, privacy concerns have been raised regarding the security of passengers’ personal data. Some passengers may feel uncomfortable with having their location tracked through their smartphone’s GPS as they navigate the airport.

Ryanair has reassured passengers that all data collected through the myRyanair app will be used solely for the purpose of processing check-ins and boarding. Passengers will also be given the ability to control the data-sharing settings, ensuring that their privacy remains intact.

However, concerns about the reliance on smartphones for boarding—especially for those who do not own or prefer not to use digital technology—have prompted further discussions about whether the airline industry is moving too quickly toward digitally-driven systems at the expense of certain passenger groups.

What Other Airlines and Transport Systems Are Doing

Ryanair is not alone in its push toward digital ticketing. Other airlines in Europe and beyond have already implemented digital-only boarding passes to streamline the travel experience. EasyJet, Air France, and Lufthansa are among the many carriers that offer digital check-ins, making travel simpler and faster for tech-savvy passengers.

Meanwhile, European rail systems, such as those in Germany, France, and the UK, have also embraced digital tickets and mobile apps for easier travel across train networks.

Conclusion: A Shift Toward a Digital Future

Ryanair’s decision to switch to 100% digital boarding passes reflects the growing trend toward digitalization in the transportation industry. By embracing mobile technology, Ryanair aims to offer passengers a faster, more convenient, and eco-friendly travel experience. However, the airline must carefully address concerns from passengers who may not be familiar with smartphones or who have privacy concerns.

As Ryanair prepares for the full rollout in November 2025, passengers are encouraged to download the myRyanair app, check in online, and familiarize themselves with the digital boarding process to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.

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