Ryanair Scraps Printed Boarding Passes, Passengers Adjust to Digital-Only Policy

As of November 12th, 2025, Ryanair passengers can no longer use printed boarding passes. The Irish carrier has switched to a paperless system, requiring travelers to download a digital version of their boarding pass on the Ryanair app during check-in.

The new policy has drawn mixed reactions, with many expressing concerns for elderly passengers who may not have access to or familiarity with smartphones. Charities like Age UK have warned that the digital-only approach could create challenges for those with limited tech skills.

However, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has dismissed these concerns, claiming that a "vast number of over 50-year-olds" already use smartphones and digital boarding passes. He has assured that "nobody will get stranded" as long as passengers check in online before arriving at the airport.

For those who fail to check in online, the consequences will be steep - a £55 fee. O'Leary has stated that the airline will be "reasonably forgiving" of paper boarding passes through the Christmas and New Year's period, but the digital-only policy is here to stay.

The change is part of Ryanair's push towards a more streamlined, paperless travel experience. The airline claims that between 85 and 90 percent of its 200 million annual customers are already using digital boarding passes.