Ryanair's Digital Transformation Takes Flight
Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, is making a significant shift in its boarding procedures by transitioning to 100% digital boarding passes starting November 12, 2025. This move marks the end of an era for printed boarding passes, requiring all passengers to use digital passes generated through the myRyanair app during check-in.
What This Means for Passengers
From Wednesday, November 12, passengers will no longer be able to download and print physical paper boarding passes. Instead, they must present digital boarding passes on their smartphones or electronic devices at security checkpoints and boarding gates. 'We are now just a little less than a week out from our move to 100% digital boarding passes,' said Ryanair's Chief Marketing Officer Dara Brady in a recent statement. 'While over 80% of passengers already use digital boarding passes, and therefore won't be affected by this progressive change, we remind the small number of passengers who still print boarding passes to download the myRyanair app ahead of the move.'
Enhanced Travel Experience
The transition promises several benefits for travelers. According to Ryanair officials, digital boarding passes will deliver a 'faster, smarter, and greener travel experience' while providing easier access to innovative in-app features. These include:
- Order to Seat: Passengers can order food and drinks directly from their phones and receive priority service
- Live Flight Information: Real-time updates on boarding status, gate changes, and delays
- Direct Updates: Instant notifications from Ryanair's operations center during disruptions
- Alternative Flight Options: Real-time rebooking options during service interruptions
- Travel Documents: All necessary documents accessible in one convenient location
Environmental and Operational Benefits
The move to digital-only boarding passes aligns with Ryanair's sustainability goals. The airline estimates this transition will save approximately 300 tonnes of paper annually, significantly reducing the environmental impact of their operations. Additionally, the streamlined process is expected to reduce airport costs, which Ryanair claims will help maintain competitive fares for passengers.
Addressing Accessibility Concerns
Ryanair has implemented measures to assist passengers who may struggle with the digital transition. For travelers without smartphones or those experiencing technical issues, the airline will provide paper boarding passes free of charge at airport check-in desks. 'If phones are lost or batteries die after check-in, paper boarding passes will be reissued free of charge at the airport,' confirmed Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary in recent interviews. The only exception to the digital-only policy applies to flights from Morocco, where government regulations still require paper boarding passes.
Industry Context and Passenger Impact
This transition affects approximately 20% of Ryanair's 207 million annual passengers who haven't yet converted to digital passes. The move follows similar digital transformations across the travel industry and builds on Ryanair's existing requirement for online check-in, which was implemented in 2008. Industry experts note that this shift represents the continuing evolution of airline operations toward more efficient, technology-driven processes.
Passengers are advised to download the myRyanair app, ensure their devices are charged before travel, and familiarize themselves with the digital boarding process to avoid any disruptions to their travel plans. The airline recommends saving boarding passes offline and carrying backup power sources to ensure smooth airport experiences.