Starting November 12, Ryanair passengers will no longer receive printed boarding passes. The airline now requires all travelers to use a digital boarding pass on their smartphone or tablet, with only a few exceptions allowed.
Ryanair Moves to Fully Digital Boarding Passes
From now on, anyone flying with Ryanair must show a digital boarding pass on a mobile device. The airline confirmed on its official website digital boarding pass page that physical boarding passes will no longer be issued at airports. Until this week, passengers could still request a printed pass when checking in.
According to Ryanair, the change should help reduce airport handling costs, which could lead to slightly lower ticket prices. It also aims to improve the travel experience by providing easy access to flight updates, gate changes, and ticket rebooking.
Environmental and Operational Impact
By transitioning to fully digital boarding passes, Ryanair estimates it will save about 300 tons of paper each year. That reduction in paper use supports the company’s broader efforts to minimize its environmental footprint, which has become a growing focus for airlines across Europe.
This move is one of several operational changes Ryanair has implemented recently. Earlier this year, the company introduced stricter rules about luggage size and carry-on bags. The new policy, described in Ryanair’s campaign against oversized bags, seeks to speed up boarding and reduce delays related to baggage issues.
Exceptions and Contingency Options
Despite the shift to digital, Ryanair confirmed a few exceptions will remain in place. Passengers who lose their phone or tablet, whose devices run out of battery, or who do not own a smart device can still get a printed boarding pass at the airport, free of charge. However, the traveler must already be checked in online before arriving at the airport.
Morocco is also listed as a specific exception. For flights departing from any Moroccan airport on or after November 12, travelers must show their digital boarding pass at check-in, where the airline will then provide a printed version for official use.
Those who forget to check in online ahead of time will face an extra fee of about 55 euros, or roughly 410 Danish kroner. Ryanair’s check-in process remains accessible both through its website and its mobile app.
Connection to Broader Changes in Ryanair’s Denmark Operations
This latest change follows a turbulent period for Ryanair’s operations in Denmark. Earlier this year, the airline announced the closure of its base at Billund Airport as of April 1. The decision came shortly after Danish airports introduced a new passenger tax, adding up to 50 kroner to each flight ticket.
As reported in Ryanair’s separation from Billund Airport, the closure had a significant impact on passenger numbers. Billund’s management expected to lose around 850,000 travelers in 2025 and an additional 600,000 in 2026. The airline has since redirected its focus toward other airports across Europe to minimize costs and maintain profitability.
What Passengers Should Know
Ryanair advises travelers to download their digital boarding pass well before reaching the airport to avoid issues with Wi-Fi or poor connectivity. The pass can be stored on the company’s mobile app or through Apple Wallet and similar tools.
In general, boarding procedures remain the same: passengers show the QR code on their screens at security and boarding gates. However, travelers used to paper passes should remember to bring a portable charger or ensure their devices are fully charged before departure.
Given the company’s push for digital efficiency and cost-cutting, travelers can expect more automation in Ryanair’s services going forward. The change signals a wider industry move toward reducing paper-based processes while keeping ticket prices low for budget-conscious customers.
Sources and References
TV 2: Low-Cost Airline Cancels Physical Boarding Passes
Ryanair: Digital Boarding Pass Information
TV 2: Ryanair’s Campaign Against Oversized Bags
TV 2: Ryanair Closure at Billund Costs Airport Traffic
