Ryanair Ends Paper Boarding Passes, Moves to MyRyanair App by Nov 2025

Ryanair will stop accepting paper boarding passes and move to digital-only boarding through the myRyanair app on November 12, 2025, completing a shift that the airline says will make flying faster and simpler for most travelers. From that date, passengers must check in online or in-app and present a smartphone-based pass at the gate. Printing a boarding pass at home or at the airport will no longer be possible, and physical passes will not be accepted for any Ryanair flight.

The airline confirmed it moved the roll-out to Wednesday, November 12, 2025 to avoid the busy mid-term travel window and reduce disruption. Ryanair says about 80% of customers already use digital boarding passes today. The change will mainly affect the remaining 20%—roughly 40 million people a year—who still rely on printed passes. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the switch fits a long-term industry trend toward mobile-first travel tools that combine check-in, flight updates, and in-airport alerts in one place.

How the new policy works

Under the new policy, every passenger must check in online or via the myRyanair app, which will generate a QR code or barcode that must be shown on a smartphone at security and at the gate. Airline staff will scan the digital pass directly from the device.

Ryanair highlights app features including:

• Real-time gate information
• Flight updates and disruption notices
• In-app handling of in-flight food and drink orders

The carrier says the move will cut waste, speed up boarding, and streamline airport operations by removing paper handling.

Ryanair also expects to remove almost all airport check-in fees from November 2025 because everyone will be required to check in online or in-app. That said, passengers who do not complete check-in before arriving at the airport could still face delays and additional costs.

The company did not announce an official backup option for people who can’t or won’t use smartphones. Instead, it has advised travelers without smartphones to ask a friend or family member to help access the digital boarding pass.

Policy changes overview

• Effective date: November 12, 2025 (moved from November 3 to avoid mid-term peak)
• Requirement: Digital-only boarding pass via the myRyanair app
• No paper option: Printed passes won’t be accepted at home or at the airport
• Check-in: Online or in-app check-in required for all passengers
• Fees: Ryanair expects to eliminate almost all airport check-in fees starting November 2025
• App features: Real-time gate updates, disruption alerts, onboard ordering tools

Some travelers—such as non-EU passport holders—may still need to visit a counter for a manual document check, depending on the route and border control rules. However, the airline’s policy remains digital-only for boarding passes, even if a manual document check is required earlier in the journey.

Impact on travelers and airports

The shift to digital boarding passes will likely:

• Reduce queues at check-in desks
• Speed up boarding at the gate
• Help families keep all passes on one device during gate calls

Frequent flyers who already use the myRyanair app will see little change beyond needing to make sure their phone is charged and the app is updated before travel day.

The largest impact falls on:

• People without smartphones
• Older travelers who prefer paper
• Passengers who fly only once or twice a year and may not be familiar with airline apps

Ryanair’s advice—to seek help from friends or family—will work for some, but not all. Example: an elderly traveler without a smartphone could ask a relative to log in, check in, and save the pass to a device the traveler can carry on the day of travel. If that’s not possible, staff at the departure airport may still help with document checks, but a printed boarding pass will not be issued or accepted.

Practical risks and mitigations

There are potential issues—loss of internet access or dead batteries. To reduce risks, passengers should:

• Save the digital boarding pass in the app’s wallet
• Take a screenshot of the pass as a backup
• Use airport Wi‑Fi cautiously and consider roaming costs
• Store the pass offline whenever possible (safest option)

Consumer rights remain important in a digital-only setup. If a phone breaks or the app crashes, passengers are still entitled to transport under applicable laws, though they may face delays while the issue is resolved.

For clarity on rights during delays, cancellations, and denied boarding, travelers in Europe can review the European Commission’s guidance on air passenger rights under EU Regulation 261/2004, available at the European Commission Air Passenger Rights page.

Ryanair says the move is aimed at a “faster, smarter, and more sustainable travel experience,” pointing to reduced paper waste and simpler gate procedures. While environmental claims are hard to quantify for a single policy change, removing tens of millions of printed passes can reduce waste and speed up lanes where agents no longer handle paper. Airports could also benefit as gate agents and passengers rely on the same digital format across all flights on the carrier.

Preparation tips before the switch

1. Install and update the myRyanair app: Do this well before November 12, 2025. Log in, verify your email, and add travel companions if needed.
2. Complete check-in early: Don’t wait until the airport. Check in as soon as the window opens and save the pass in the app’s wallet.
3. Store offline access: Take a screenshot of each pass after check-in. Most airports accept a clear on-screen code even if the internet drops.
4. Charge and carry a power bank: Keep your device charged. A small power bank can save a trip when delays stretch your day.
5. Plan for document checks: Non-EU passport holders on some routes may still need a manual document check, even with digital passes.
6. Coordinate for those without smartphones: If a family member lacks a smartphone, one person can hold all passes on a single device, as long as everyone is present at the gate.
7. Know your rights: If app or device issues cause delays, seek help at the airport desk. Keep proof of check-in on your phone.

Airlines worldwide are making similar moves, but a complete end to paper boarding passes across an entire network is still a bold step. Ryanair is betting that near-universal smartphone use, combined with a familiar app, will ease the change. For most passengers already using digital boarding passes, day‑to‑day travel should feel the same or a bit smoother, with faster updates and fewer stops at counters.

For some, though, the change is personal and stressful. Consider a caregiver traveling with an older parent who doesn’t use a smartphone: the caregiver can manage both passes on one phone, but separation or battery failure poses practical questions. Simple habits—keeping a portable charger, saving passes offline, and coordinating ahead—can help. Airport staff are used to these situations and will work to scan the codes from whichever device has the passes.

The transition date—November 12, 2025—leaves time for testing ahead of winter holidays. Ryanair says the delay from the original early-November plan was meant to avoid mid-term crowds. That timing should reduce day-one issues and give travelers clear notice. VisaVerge.com reports that the airline expects long-term gains in speed and lower costs from removing paper handling and shifting check-in fully to digital tools.

Ryanair’s message is simple: from mid-November 2025, boarding means phone-in-hand. The myRyanair app becomes the single source for check-in, gate details, disruption notices, and the digital boarding passes needed to fly. Travelers who prepare now—by installing the app, checking in early, and storing passes offline—will likely find the change straightforward on the day it arrives.