Ryanair has announced plans to fully transition to digital check-ins and eliminate paper boarding passes by May 2025. Speaking at an event in Dublin, CEO Michael O’Leary shared the airline’s vision of phasing out airport check-in desks and paper-based boarding, a move that reflects Ryanair’s ongoing shift toward digitalisation.
Currently, 60% of Ryanair passengers check-in and board using the airline’s website or mobile app, with either a printed boarding pass or a digital QR code. O'Leary expressed confidence that this number will soon reach 80%, with the airline aiming to entirely eliminate the option of paper boarding passes and check-in counters by next May.
As part of these changes, passengers will no longer have the option to check in at airport gates, even for an additional fee. The airline also plans to stop accepting credit card payments for check-in services at the airport.
For passengers without smartphones, O’Leary noted that they can ask someone else to lend them a device to access their boarding pass. Ryanair ensures that passengers won’t miss their flights due to technical issues with mobile devices, as boarding passes will still be available at the gate if necessary.
“Our goal is to eliminate check-in desks at the airport, just like we’ve done with luggage counters. Everything will be managed through the app, making the process fully digital and eliminating paper entirely,” O’Leary said.
The airline claims that older passengers have adapted well to the digital model, and Ryanair continues to receive support from them. This push for a fully digital system aligns with Ryanair’s broader strategy of streamlining operations and reducing costs associated with traditional paper-based services.
