Ryanair passengers who fail to check in online before arriving at the airport could face an additional £55 charge, under a rule change that took effect in November 2025. The airline has transitioned to 100% digital boarding passes via its app, eliminating paper passes to reduce costs and save 300 tonnes of paper annually.
Online check-in opens 60 days before departure for passengers who have purchased allocated seats, or 24 hours beforehand for those willing to be assigned a seat at random. The check-in window closes two hours before the scheduled departure time, regardless of seating preference.
After completing online check-in, travellers must save a digital copy of their boarding pass on a mobile phone or tablet. Those without a smartphone or tablet can request a free boarding pass from Ryanair, provided they have checked in online before arriving at the airport.
Ryanair confirmed it will send passengers a reminder to check in online shortly before their scheduled departure. The airline's no-frills model already imposes extra fees for baggage and advance seat selection, and the new digital-only policy aims to streamline operations and improve service.
