Ryanair has issued a '40-minute' warning for all passengers planning to fly before 10 November 2026, with the rules changing after this date. The warning comes as thousands of holidaymakers are set to pass through Liverpool John Lennon Airport during the October half-term.
The budget airline has clarified that check-in desks close strictly 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time, unless passengers are notified otherwise before flight departure or are flying from 10 November 2026 onwards. This is crucial for anyone jetting off abroad with the airline during the half-term period.
Rules changing after 10 November
However, after this date, the restrictions will change. 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."
Fortunately, passengers can also check in for their flight before getting to the airport when it becomes available online. The UK airline outlined: "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 24 and 2 hours before each booked flight. You cannot check in online during the 2 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time."
Airport check-in fees and passport advice
However, they warned customers: "If you do not complete check-in online more than 2 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 14th of August 2025, you can check-in at the airport free of charge."
Elsewhere, a travel expert has warned Brits about the passport checks they must complete before their getaway. And they should be done well in advance, with two key dates to look out for. Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at Go Compare Travel, advised: "It's important to remember that passport rules are about more than expiry dates."
Rhys added: "Travellers should check 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 countries in the Schengen area 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 also needs to be valid for at least three months after the day they plan to exit the destination.
