Ryanair has brought a revised airport check-in rule into force from today (Tuesday, 10 November), reducing the window passengers have to complete check-in at the airport. The change applies to all travellers and carries the risk of being denied boarding without a refund if they miss the new deadline.
New 60-minute check-in deadline
The budget carrier has confirmed that, for all passengers flying from 10 November 2026 onwards, check-in desks close strictly 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time unless passengers are notified otherwise before flight departure. Those who do not complete check-in by then may be denied boarding without a refund.
Previously, Ryanair check-in desks closed strictly 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Under the new regulation, travellers who have not checked in online beforehand lose 20 minutes from their airport check-in window.
Online check-in charges and windows
Passengers who fail to check in online more than two hours before the scheduled departure time will be charged the airport check-in fee set out in the airline's table of fees. Those who booked a Plus or Flexi Plus ticket before 14 August 2025 can check in at the airport free of charge.
Online check-in opens 60 days before the scheduled departure time for passengers who have purchased an allocated seat. Customers can be allocated a seat free of charge if they check in online between 72 and two hours before each booked flight. Online check-in is not available during the two hours before a flight's scheduled departure time.
Related airport and travel changes
Following the announcement, a number of UK airports have upgraded their security screening technology, allowing travellers to take up to two litres of liquids through security checks. This replaces the previous 100ml restriction and removes the need to take liquids out of carry-on bags. Airports implementing the change include Belfast International, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational across airports on Friday, 10 April 2026. The system requires all British holidaymakers travelling to the Schengen zone to create a digital record and provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph.
A further change was introduced at 13 UK airports from Wednesday, 8 July 2026, allowing children aged 8 and above to use eGates. Previously, eGates were available only to travellers aged 10 and over. The lower age requirement is expected to allow approximately 1.5 million additional children, who must also be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall, to pass through the electronic gates and other re-entry checkpoints faster.
