Martin Lewis, the founder of Money Saving Expert, has issued an urgent warning to Ryanair passengers about a potential £55 fee for failing to check in online. The warning comes as the airline moves towards a fully digital system, with paper boarding passes set to be phased out by May 2025.
According to the Money Saving Expert team, the free check-in window is now only available between two and 24 hours before departure for passengers who have not paid to reserve a seat. Those who pay for seat reservation, typically between £4.50 and £15.50 per person, can check in for free up to 60 days before flying.
Passengers who forget to check in online and only remember at the airport will be charged a £55 penalty per person, per flight. The airline's website states that travellers must log in using their flight reference number to complete the process.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has confirmed that the airline will eliminate airport check-in desks entirely by May 2025, making the process fully digital through the app. O'Leary said: "Our goal is to eliminate check-in desks at the airport, just like we've done with luggage counters. Everything will be managed through the app, making the process fully digital and eliminating paper entirely."
O'Leary added that the move would eventually save passengers the £55 airport check-in fee, calling it a "smoother, easier journey for everybody."
