Ryanair delays paperless boarding passes « Euro Weekly News

Ryanair has announced a six-month delay in its transition to entirely paperless boarding passes. Originally set for May 2025, the airline will now implement the change at the start of its winter schedule on November 3, 2025.

The move to paperless boarding passes means passengers will no longer be able to download or print a physical boarding pass but must instead use the airline’s myRyanair app for digital check-in and boarding.

According to Ryanair, nearly 80 per cent of its 200 million passengers already use digital boarding passes, making this transition a natural next step. The airline expects this move to eliminate most airport check-in fees, as all passengers will need to check in online or via the app before their flight.

Why is Ryanair going paperless?

The shift to paperless boarding is being promoted as a customer-friendly initiative and a step towards greater environmental sustainability. By eliminating paper boarding passes, Ryanair states that it expects to save more than 300 tonnes of paper waste per year.

In a statement, Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer Dara Brady said: “This move to 100% paperless boarding passes from November 2025 will allow us to deliver an enhanced travel experience for customers, streamlined through the myRyanair app during our less busy Winter schedule. This will be particularly useful to passengers during disruptions as it will facilitate real-time updates from our Ops Centre directly to passengers’ phones, and will also provide them with alternative flight options, and offer transfers or hotel accommodation options when necessary.”

How will this affect Ryanair passengers without access to the internet or smartphones?

For those who still rely on printed passes, they will have to adapt to the new system from November. There have so far been no mentions of alternative options from Ryanair.

The myRyanair app will offer features including live flight updates and real-time alternative flight options during disruptions. Terminal, gate and boarding status updates will also be available.

Despite the airline’s confidence in the new system, Ryanair’s digital services have not always been without controversy. In late 2024, an enquiry was launched into the Ryanair’s biometric verification process for online bookings, following complaints from privacy groups.

With ambitions to reach 300 million passengers annually over the next decade, Ryanair’s digital shift is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience.

What are your thoughts on paperless boarding tickets? Would you miss having a printed boarding pass? Let us know in the comments below.

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