From 12 November 2025, those flying with Ryanair will have to say goodbye to the classic printed boarding pass. The Irish airline is introducing digital-only check-in, forcing passengers to use the myRyanair app to generate their boarding pass. The document will be available directly on your smartphone, ready to show at controls and at the gate.

The declared objective is to make travel faster, smarter and more sustainable. According to the carrier, over 80% of passengers already use the digital format, so the complete transition represents only the latest step in a technological transformation process that Ryanair has been pursuing for years.

What changes for passengers

Anyone who shows up at the airport without having completed online check-in will have to pay a fee of 55 euros to obtain their boarding pass at the gate. A measure which, according to the company, serves to “make travelers responsible” and reduce waiting times at counters and the use of over 300 tons of paper per year.

The digital card will also be available offline once downloaded, and in the event of a dead or lost phone, Ryanair ensures that the passenger’s data remains recorded in the system: boarding can therefore take place without problems. However, those who do not have a smartphone will still be able to receive the document at the airport, provided they have completed the online check-in before arrival.

The new features of the myRyanair app

With the new digital check-in, the myRyanair app becomes the heart of the travel experience. In addition to the boarding pass, it includes services such as Order to Seat (order food and drinks from your phone and receive them at your seat), Live Flight Information (real-time updates on gates and delays) and Direct Updates during any disruptions.

Consumer protests

However, not everyone is enthusiastic. Consumer associations, such as Assoutenti and Codacons, criticize the measure, calling it “penalizing” for elderly people and travelers with technological problems. Paying 55 euros for a boarding pass, they argue, is a less than inclusive choice.

Ryanair replies that digital is not an obstacle, but an advantage. And that its new system, between sustainability and speed, marks the beginning of a new way of flying, with less paper and – at least in theory – less stress. Will it really be like this?

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