Digital shift confirmed
Ryanair has announced that paper boarding passes will be scrapped from 12 November, with passengers required to use digital boarding cards on the airline’s mobile app.
First major airline to go fully digital
The carrier will become the first to move entirely to a paperless boarding process across almost all flights in its network.
Goal of faster and greener travel
The airline said the move is part of efforts to make journeys “faster, smarter and greener” for customers.
Worries over elderly travellers
Concerns have been raised that older passengers who do not own or use smartphones could struggle to adapt to the change.
What happens if phones fail?
Questions have also been raised about how passengers will board if their phones run out of battery, lose internet connection, or are stolen.
Launch delayed twice
The digital-only boarding plan was originally scheduled for May 2025. It was then delayed until 3 November, before finally being pushed back to 12 November.
Reason for postponement
Ryanair said the delays were intended to minimise disruption and ensure a smoother transition after the UK school mid-term break.
Option for those without smartphones
The airline confirmed that passengers without smartphones, or those with technical problems, can still request a paper boarding pass at airport check-in desks.
No charge for replacement passes
The paper passes will be reissued free of charge, but only if passengers have checked in online before arriving at the airport.
CEO says concerns exaggerated
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary dismissed concerns, insisting almost all customers already use smartphones.
Reassurance for travellers
He said that if a passenger loses their phone or the battery dies, they will still be able to board once they have checked in online.
Digital boarding already common
The airline said around 80% of passengers currently use digital passes when travelling.
Smooth boarding guaranteed
O’Leary added that once passengers have checked in, their sequence numbers will be available at the gate to ensure boarding runs as normal.
Exceptions to the new rules
Not all flights will be included in the scheme, with some routes continuing to require printed passes.
Morocco requires paper passes
Flights from Morocco will still need paper boarding cards due to requirements set by its government.
Rules for Tirana–UK flights
The same rule applies to passengers flying from Tirana, Albania, to the UK, where printed boarding passes remain mandatory.
Online check-in still essential
Even in these exceptions, passengers must complete check-in online to receive confirmation before collecting a paper pass.
Transition welcomed by airline
Ryanair said the change reflects the way most passengers already travel and will make the boarding process more efficient.
What passengers need to do
The airline’s advice is clear: make sure you check in online, have your app ready, and be aware of exceptions for Morocco and Tirana–UK routes.
Industry first
With this shift, Ryanair becomes the first airline to fully embrace digital boarding across nearly all flights, setting a precedent for the industry.
Perfect ✅ Here’s a Sky News / M10News–style “Quick Facts” box you can use alongside the article for clarity and SEO:
✈️ Quick Facts: Ryanair’s Paperless Boarding
- Launch date: 12 November 2025
- Who’s affected: All Ryanair passengers (except on Morocco routes and Tirana–UK flights)
- What’s changing: No more printing boarding passes at home — digital passes only via the Ryanair app
- Exceptions: Morocco and Tirana–UK routes still require printed boarding passes
- If you don’t have a smartphone: You can request a free paper pass at the check-in desk, but you must have already checked in online
- If your phone dies/gets lost: Boarding still allowed — sequence number stored at the gate, replacement pass available free of charge