Ryanair’s latest digital move has left passengers reacting with a mix of praise and frustration as the budget airline officially ends paper boarding passes in favour of app-based travel.
At Stansted Airport on Wednesday morning, travellers were seen adjusting to the new rule. Among them were Beryl and Mick, an elderly couple from East Anglia, who expressed their unease about relying on smartphones. “We’re not so good on smartphones,” Beryl admitted, clutching her handbag as she prepared to board her flight.
For 16 years, Ryanair passengers have been accustomed to checking in online and printing their own boarding passes. That system changed at dawn on 12 November, when print-at-home boarding passes were declared invalid for all flights.
From now on, there are only two ways to board a Ryanair flight: passengers must either display a digital boarding pass through the Ryanair app or request a printed version from the airline’s airport service desk. The latter option remains free for those who have checked in online, offering some relief to passengers wary of using mobile technology.
When tested on a flight from Stansted to Baden-Baden, Germany, the printed pass from the Ryanair desk was issued quickly and without confusion. The process demonstrated that despite the digital shift, the airline is still accommodating passengers who prefer paper assistance.
Going places: Beryl and Mick at Stansted airport
Simon Calder
By early afternoon, Ryanair confirmed that 98 percent of passengers on Wednesday were using digital passes. Many travellers said they found the app-based system efficient and modern, describing paper documents as outdated in an increasingly tech-driven industry.
Still, a small percentage — around two percent — were less enthusiastic. These passengers, often older or less digitally inclined, admitted they were struggling to adjust. “We’re old-fashioned,” said Mick. “We like going to the desk and getting your boarding pass. We’re not great with technology.”
Despite that, Beryl and Mick have continued to travel regularly, thanks to the help of their travel agent, Jo from Hays Travel in Norwich. “Jo does everything for us,” Beryl explained. “She checks us in online and prints all the documents. She’s wonderful.”
When told that Ryanair had banned printed passes, the couple initially feared their familiar process would end. However, Jo quickly adapted. “She uses Mick’s phone now,” Beryl said. “She checks us in on the app, saves the pass, and tells us what to click at the airport.”
The new arrangement allows the couple to breeze through check-in and security with minimal stress. “She’s just brilliant,” Mick said with a grin. “I open the app, tap ‘Boarding Passes,’ and that’s it. No panic, no problem.”
Critics have argued that Ryanair’s move could alienate older travellers who are not comfortable with smartphone technology. But stories like Beryl and Mick’s suggest that practical solutions — and a little guidance — can keep travel accessible for everyone.
Ryanair, meanwhile, insists the change is about efficiency and cost-cutting. The airline estimates that phasing out printed boarding passes could save as much as £100,000 per day, funds it says will be used to reduce fares and streamline operations.
“Going paperless helps us save money, reduce waste, and keep our fares low,” a Ryanair spokesperson said. “It’s the direction all airlines are heading.”
For passengers opposed to the policy, alternatives remain plentiful. With Jet2 preparing to expand operations at Gatwick next summer, travellers from the UK to destinations like Alicante will have multiple choices, including British Airways, easyJet and Vueling.
Asked whether he believed other airlines would follow suit, Mick was thoughtful. “I think they probably will,” he said. “Whether they should or not, I don’t know.”
For now, Ryanair’s digital shift seems to be holding steady — even among those who still prefer paper to pixels.
Source: Report by Simon Calder, The Independent
Edited for DealzFlight by Travel Desk | Contact: travel@dealzflight.com
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