Aer Lingus has confirmed it will begin allowing customers to use Irish passport cards and EU national identity cards for online check-in before the end of 2025.
The airline, which currently does not accept the cards for online verification, said it is working on a technical solution to expand document options for passengers.
“Aer Lingus is working on a solution that will allow customers to use EU national ID cards or Irish passport cards as travel documents when checking-in online (for travel to a destination that accepts them),” the airline said in a statement.
“This is expected to be enabled by the end of this year.”
Irish passport cards are available to all citizens who hold a valid passport book. They remain valid for five years, or until the expiry date of the passport book, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The card is recognised for travel across all EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.
Ryanair already accepts the Irish passport card for online check-in within the EU, the EEA, the UK, Albania, Bosnia and Montenegro.
Aer Lingus passengers currently do not require a passport or ID card at the time of booking, but must provide one of these travel documents when checking in.
The airline does accept Irish passport cards at airport check-in without an additional charge. Agents equipped with iPhones and iPads can also process the cards at self-service kiosks.
However, Aer Lingus said its current digital systems do not yet support the cards for identity verification during online check-in. Customers can instead use their standard passport books for that process.
“The document used for online check-in should be the same document used during travel,” the airline added.
The development comes as Aer Lingus reported an operating profit of €135 million for the second quarter of 2025, up almost 50% compared with the same period last year.
The airline has also announced several new winter routes, including Cancun in Mexico and Tromsø in Norway.
Earlier this summer, Aer Lingus unveiled a major refresh of its mobile app as part of what it described as “an extensive upgrade programme designed to transform the digital travel experience for its customers.”
The upgraded app includes live flight status, a redesigned home screen and an improved “My Trips” section.
“These improvements reflect our ongoing investment in digital innovation and our belief that technology plays a central role in creating the best possible travel experience,” said Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus.
The airline confirmed that the app, like its website, does not yet allow online check-in using Irish passport cards or EU ID cards. That feature is expected to launch later this year alongside the broader system update.