Ryanair has announced that check-in and bag drop services will close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, a change from the current 40-minute cutoff, effective November 10, 2026. The new rule will apply across all airports Ryanair serves and to every passenger.
Reason for the change
The airline says the current 40-minute window has not been allowing passengers enough time to get through security, and a 'small number of passengers' have missed flights as a result. To address this, Ryanair will close check-in 20 minutes earlier to help 'provide more time for passengers to get through airport security and passport queues'.
The airline has also confirmed it will open check-in desks earlier as a result of this change.
Impact on passengers
Ryanair CMO Dara Brady previously said: 'From Tuesday, 10 Nov, Ryanair customers will see airport check-in and bag drops close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of today's 40 minutes.' He added that this will allow the 20% of customers who check in a bag more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on time, especially during busy travel periods when some queues can be longer.
Brady also explained that the 80% of passengers who do not check in a bag will be unaffected by the change if they check in online before arriving at the airport, as they will continue to go straight through airport security to their departure gate.
Additional Ryanair updates
Ryanair has also installed self-service kiosks at more than 95% of its airports. These kiosks are fully integrated with the Ryanair app, allowing passengers to check their bags and print bag tags. The airline says this is another move to create a 'quicker' bag-drop service and cut waiting times.
