Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has confirmed that, beginning on November 12, it will end the use of paper boarding passes across its network. The change means that passengers will now have to check in and access their passes through the carrier’s mobile app.
The airline says the move will create a faster and more efficient experience for travelers while aligning with broader industry trends toward digital-only ticketing. The decision follows years of investment in its app and digital services, which the carrier says already see widespread use among its customer base.
Rollout Date Pushed To November 12 For Smoother Transition
Ryanair had initially planned to implement the switch on November 3 to coincide with the start of its winter schedule. However, the rollout has now been pushed back to November 12 to ensure a smoother transition. From that date, passengers will no longer be able to download or print paper boarding passes and will instead need to check in and access their passes exclusively through the ‘myRyanair’ app.
According to the airline, “almost 80% of Ryanair’s 206M+ passengers already use digital boarding passes.” The move will “eliminate almost all airport check-in fees” and allow “direct updates from Ryanair’s operations center during disruption”. It will also save 300 tonnes of paper each year, the airline estimates. Dara Brady, Chief Marketing Officer at Ryanair, said:
“To ensure a seamless transition to 100% digital boarding passes for our customers, we will make the switch from Wed Nov 12th, which is traditionally a slightly quieter time for travel following the busy mid-term break period. Ryanair’s move to 100% digital boarding passes will mean a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience for our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class “myRyanair” app, where passengers will also benefit from helpful in-app features, like Order to Seat and live flight information.”
Exceptions Will Remain For Morocco, Albania & Certain Airports
However, it is important to note that Ryanair’s shift to 100% digital boarding passes will still carry some exceptions due to airport infrastructure and local regulatory requirements. For instance, flights to Morocco and Albania continue to require printed boarding passes, while some airports are not yet fully equipped to process digital systems.
The airline has acknowledged these challenges and is working with regulators to expand coverage. It recently signed an agreement with Albanian authorities that will allow digital boarding passes for flights from March 2026. Until such arrangements are finalized, Ryanair will continue to issue paper passes on select routes to remain compliant.
Furthermore, the move follows Ryanair’s push toward online check-in and mobile use. In the past, the airline has imposed charges up to $47 (€40) in Austria and $35 (€30) in Spain, for passengers opting for airport check-in instead of digital options. Transitioning to a fully smartphone-based system is, therefore, a natural progression, aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Passengers Express Concerns Over Smartphone Reliance
Some passengers have expressed concerns about relying entirely on smartphones for boarding. They have highlighted issues such as dead batteries, lost devices, or unfamiliarity with the system as potential risks of a digital-only approach. In response, the low-cost carrier has sought to reassure them on these points.
Speaking on The Independent’s daily travel podcast, Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary confirmed that passengers who encounter smartphone problems will still be able to obtain a paper boarding pass at the airport without paying the usual $27 (£20) reissue fee. This will be the case as long as they have already completed online check-in. The airline confirmed that in cases where a passenger cannot access their device, boarding will still be possible using a sequence number generated at the time of check-in.
Ryanair is not the first airline to take this step. In May 2023, 
Emirates began requiring most passengers departing Dubai to use a mobile boarding pass instead of a paper version. In the United States, 
Alaska Airlines has also removed the option of printing paper boarding passes at airport kiosks, though passengers who cannot access a digital pass can still request one at the check-in counter.
