Ryanair has moved to 100% digital boarding passes, meaning passengers must use the Ryanair app to access their boarding pass after checking in online. Check-in opens 48 hours and again 24 hours before departure. Travellers who fail to check in online face a fee of €/£55 for most routes or €/£30 for Spanish departures. If a phone is lost or battery dies after check-in, Ryanair will provide a printed boarding pass at no cost. However, passengers flying from Morocco (except Marrakech, Fez, Agadir, Tangier, Nador, or Oujda) must still collect a printed boarding pass at the airport.
Jet2 Offers Digital and PDF Options
Jet2 provides a paperless alternative via its app, which can store boarding passes for up to eight passengers on one device. The airline recommends that groups stay together at bag drop, security, and boarding when using multiple passes on one device. For those who prefer not to use the app, Jet2 allows passengers to log into Manage My Booking, select 'Get boarding pass', and receive a PDF version by email or save it to a device. No printing is required; travellers can show the pass on their screen at the airport.
TUI Airways Accepts Both Digital and Paper
TUI confirms that for flights operated by TUI Airways (flight numbers starting with TOM or BY), passengers can choose between digital and paper boarding passes. Those who opt for a printed pass should use A4 paper, ensure the copy is clear and free of rips or tears, and that the barcode is clearly visible for scanning. Note that not all TUI package holidays use TUI Airways; if a package includes flights with Ryanair or easyJet, passengers must follow that airline's rules.
easyJet: Digital Preferred but Paper Still Valid
easyJet recommends using its mobile app to store boarding passes offline, including direct download to Apple or Google Wallet. However, paper boarding passes remain valid. The airline warns that PDF scans on mobile devices are not accepted because airport security cannot scan them. A list of airports that do not accept mobile boarding passes includes Antalya, Izmir, and several in Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia; passengers flying to or from these airports must print their boarding pass. If a boarding pass is lost, travellers can simply print a new one.
According to the Liverpool Echo, these policies reflect a broader shift toward digital boarding passes while still accommodating passengers who prefer paper. The key takeaway is that Ryanair is now fully digital, while Jet2, easyJet, and TUI offer flexibility, with specific exceptions for certain airports.
