Anyone with holidays planned needs to know the rules before they fly. Boarding passes might need to be in a certain form, or passengers are not getting past check-in desks. Getting your boarding pass sorted is one of the first things to clear before jetting off on holiday, but some Brits risk being caught out at the check-in desk by overlooking a rule certain airlines have introduced. It is essential to know whether your documents need to be in a specific format to pass through the airport smoothly.
Previously, most UK carriers left it up to passengers to choose between printing boarding passes at home or having them on smartphones at the airport. However, it is important to understand what your airline now allows, as failing to do so could put your entire trip in trouble. Paper boarding passes are steadily being phased out in favour of digital options. Most airlines now issue tickets via email, apps, or other methods rather than paper. In many instances, travellers can still print their passes at home or at the airport. It is advisable to verify your airline's specific policies (both outbound and return) beforehand, according to the Express.
Ryanair
Budget airline Ryanair has switched entirely to digital as of November 2025. Passengers travelling with the carrier will receive their boarding pass electronically via the Ryanair app once check-in is complete. On its website, the airline states that its digital boarding passes 'get rid of 300 tonnes of paper annually' and contribute to 'lower airport costs and fares for all Ryanair passengers'. Discussing check-in, Ryanair say that all 'passengers will still receive email reminders to check-in online 48 and 24 hrs pre-departure. If any passenger arrives at the airport but hasn't checked in online (having ignored these reminders), they will still be required to pay the airport check-in fee.' Ryanair added that 'special assistance is available at all airports' for travellers requiring support with digital passes and check-in. Full details can be found on their website.
EasyJet and WizzAir
For most flights, airlines such as easyJet accept digital tickets. EasyJet does not accept PDF scans displayed on phones, and all digital tickets must be presented via the free EasyJet app. Certain non-UK airports continue to require printed passes. As of 2026, 21 airports in the easyJet network do not currently accept mobile boarding passes. If you are returning to the UK from any of these locations, you will need to print your boarding pass on paper:
- Egypt: Hurghada (HRG), Luxor (LXR), Marsa Alam (RMF), Cairo Sphinx (SPX), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH)
- Morocco: Agadir (AGA), Essaouira (ESU), Marrakesh (RAK), Rabat (RBA), Tangier (TNG)
- Turkey: Izmir (ADB), Antalya (AYT), Bodrum (BJV)
- Tunisia: Djerba (DJE), Enfidha (NBE)
- Other Regions: Aqaba, Jordan (AQJ), Belgrade, Serbia (BEG), Pristina, Kosovo (PRN), Tirana, Albania (TIA), Ivalo, Finland (IVL) and Sitia, Greece (JSH)
A handful of airports that handle Wizz Air flights also do not support mobile passes, though there are just five such destinations, as of 2026: Agadir (AGA), Marrakesh (RAK), Cairo Sphinx (SPX), Zaragoza (ZAZ), and Tirana (TIA).
What about other major UK airlines?
For those flying with other carriers, it is best to check your airline's website to determine whether a specific policy applies. Rules are largely the same but may vary from location to location.
- British Airways: Allows printing at home or at airport kiosks. Digital passes are available via the BA app.
- Jet2: Supports both physical and digital tickets. You can print from 'Manage My Booking' or use the Jet2 app.
- TUI: Both printed and digital passes are accepted.
- Virgin Atlantic: Although the airline 'highly recommends' digital, printed copies are accepted, and kiosk printing remains available at major hubs like London Heathrow and Manchester.
