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Starting today, Ryanair travelers will no longer have the option to use a printed boarding pass.

The Irish airline is moving towards paperless boarding passes, which require the passenger to download adigital version created through the Ryanair app at check-in.

The updated regulation has sparked debate, as numerous travelers have voiced worries about older passengers who might not own a smartphone.

With the new boarding regulations coming into effect today, British travelers are advised to avoid any mistakes that could result in a significant charge.

Airport desks will no longer provide the service of printing, which previously charged a fee of £55.

It’s probable that individuals who reach the airport without having obtained their electronic boarding pass will be subject to a comparable charge.

The update follows a statement from Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, who mentioned that between 85 and 90 percent of the airline’s 200 million yearly passengers are already utilizing digital tickets.

For those who haven’t transitioned yet, this implies you need to check in prior to arriving at the airport to obtain your boarding pass.

However, there are two exceptions to the rule.

The first group consists of travelers heading to Albania. Officials there have required passengers to show physical passports until March 2026, after which they have agreed that digital passes will be acceptable.

Morocco follows the same paper pass policy as Albania; nevertheless, it will not be adjusting its regulations to align with Ryanair’s paperless approach.

O’Leary has verified that the airline will grant exceptions in this situation, allowing physical passes for flights heading to the African nation.

Certain charities are against the change, cautioning that a fully digital approach could present difficulties for elderly travelers and others who have trouble with technology and smart devices.

Caroline Abrahams, a charity director at Age UK, stated to The Telegraph that “companies should not overlook the four million individuals who have never accessed the internet and the numerous others with minimal digital abilities who do not”have a smartphone‘.

She mentioned that different booking options and methods for presenting tickets should be available to individuals who ‘don’t use the internet.’

However, O’Leary states that the change will not have a detrimental impact on particular groups of travelers, provided they can complete online check-in ahead of time.

He asserts that there is a “large number of people over 50” who own smartphones, a statistic he is confident about since 90 percent of Ryanair travelers are “already”using mobile phones and electronic boarding tickets‘.

Passengers without a smartphone can rest assured, as O’Leary stated that ‘no one will be left behind’ — provided they complete online check-in prior to arriving at the airport, where they can obtain a boarding pass at no cost.

Regarding travelers who neglect to complete online check-in prior to reaching the airport, O’Leary mentions that their mistake will result in a cost – specifically, a £55 charge.

He said to The Telegraph: “They will continue to pay the airport check-in charge, as they do now.”

And they are aware that they need to check in the day prior, as we send them SMS notifications and two email confirmations, 48 hours before departure and 24 hours before departure.

So, is there anyone who arrives at the airport without having checked in beforehand? They’re either foolish or they simply disregarded our email instructions.

It followed O’Leary’s defense of the transition in September, stating that his 86-year-old mother uses the app, and he also claimed it was a ‘myth’ that older individuals were unable to adapt to technological changes.

A 64-year-old remarked, “I’m elderly, and I frequently fly with Ryanair, using their app, which is quite straightforward and user-friendly.”

He stated, “In reality, the elderly initially have their children or grandchildren make reservations for them, and soon after, they start using it on their own.”

And it’s somewhat condescending, this idea that older individuals are incapable of or unwilling to adopt mobile technology or applications.

He stated, “no one would be left in the lurch,” and the airline would “be fairly understanding” toward passengers arriving with printed boarding passes during Christmas and into January.

O’Leary stated, “We will personally assist you in boarding at the gate, so if your phone rings, you lose it, or it is stolen, it won’t cause any problems as long as you completed online check-in before reaching the boarding area.”

Read more

• Is Ryanair’s electronic boarding pass policy a technological advancement or a challenge for older travelers?
• Could Ryanair’s electronic-only boarding pass system cause problems for passengers less familiar with technology?
• Is the emergence of digital boarding passes signaling a new era or an ageist exclusion in Ryanair’s most recent contentious policy change?
• Why does Ryanair’s leader insult passengers as ‘foolish’ or careless regarding electronic boarding passes?
• Will numerous travelers encounter check-in problems if airlines such as Ryanair completely eliminate paper by 2025, potentially leaving those without mobile devices in a difficult situation?