Ryanair has changed its check-in procedure from today, Tuesday, 10 November, closing desks 60 minutes before scheduled departure, 20 minutes earlier than the previous 40-minute cutoff. Passengers who miss the deadline could be denied boarding without refund.
New Check-In Deadlines and Fees
In an update for passengers, Ryanair confirmed: "For all passengers flying from 10 November 2026 onwards, the check-in desks close strictly 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time unless you are notified otherwise before flight departure. If you do not complete check-in by then, you may be denied boarding without refund."
Previously, Ryanair check-in desks closed strictly 40 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure time, unless passengers were informed otherwise. Under the new rule, holidaymakers have 20 minutes less time to check in at the airport before their flight if they haven't already checked in online.
Those who fail to check in online outside the airline's allotted time frame may incur an additional charge. "If you do not complete check-in online more than two hours before the scheduled departure time, you will be charged the airport check-in fee set out in our table of fees. If you booked a Plus or Flexi Plus ticket before the 14 of August 2025, you can check in at the airport free of charge," the budget airline warned under their 'General terms & conditions of carriage'.
Online Check-In Still Available
Customers still have ample opportunity to check into their Ryanair flight online. "Online check-in opens 60 days before the scheduled departure time if you 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. You cannot check in online during the two hours before your flight's scheduled departure time," Ryanair confirmed on its website.
Other Airport and Travel Changes
In addition to Ryanair's update, several UK airports have upgraded their security scanning equipment, meaning passengers can now carry up to two litres of liquids through security, rather than the former 100ml limit, and no longer need to remove them from their hand luggage. This includes the following airports so far: Belfast International, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, and London Heathrow.
Elsewhere, this year also saw the European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) fully launched across airports on Friday, 10 April 2026. The new system requires all British travellers heading to the Schengen area to "create a digital record" and submit their biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph.
Another change was introduced at 13 UK airports from Wednesday, 8 July 2026, allowing children aged 8 and above to use the eGates. Previously, eGates were only accessible to passengers aged 10 and over, but reducing the age limit is estimated to allow around 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 points far more quickly.
