Ryanair has issued a warning to all passengers planning to fly before 10 November 2026 that check-in desks close strictly 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The rule applies during the busy October half-term period, when thousands of Brits are expected to travel abroad for winter getaways to destinations such as Malta, Dublin and Copenhagen.
The airline confirmed the deadline on its website under check-in, boarding and seating, noting that passengers may be denied boarding without refund if they miss it. The warning is intended to help holidaymakers prepare before arriving at the airport, where long security queues and luggage restrictions can also cause delays.
Rule change from 10 November 2026
From 10 November 2026 onwards, the check-in deadline will be extended. Ryanair confirmed that for all passengers flying from that date, check-in desks will close strictly 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time, unless passengers are notified otherwise before flight departure.
Passengers who do not complete check-in by the deadline may be denied boarding without refund. The airline also outlined that online check-in opens 60 days before departure for those who have purchased an allocated seat, and customers can be allocated a seat free of charge if they check in online between 24 and 2 hours before each booked flight. Online check-in is not available during the 2 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Airport check-in fees and passport advice
Customers who do not complete online check-in more than 2 hours before departure will be charged the airport check-in fee set out in the airline's table of fees. However, those who booked a Plus or Flexi Plus ticket before 14 August 2025 can check in at the airport free of charge.
Separately, travel expert Rhys Jones from Go Compare Travel has cautioned British holidaymakers about essential passport checks ahead of their trips. He advised travellers to verify whether their passport was issued within the accepted period for their destination, is valid for long enough after their trip, has enough blank pages where required, and is not too damaged to travel.
For Schengen area countries such as France, Italy, Greece and Spain, Brits need a passport issued less than 10 years before the date they enter the country, and the document must be valid for at least three months after the day they plan to exit the destination.
