Ryanair will eliminate paper boarding passes and airport check-in desks from 12 November as the airline moves to a fully digital system.
From that date, passengers will be required to generate their boarding passes through the “myRyanair” app during check-in, replacing the option to print at home or collect a paper version at the airport.
The budget airline said that nearly 80% of its customers already use digital boarding passes, and the change mirrors shifts in other industries such as music and sporting events, which have embraced digital-only ticketing.
"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,” said Dara Brady, the carrier’s chief marketing officer.
The airline has been pursuing a wider digital transformation, having recently introduced in-app options including seat service ordering, real-time flight updates, and disruption alerts from Ryanair’s Operations Centre.
The push toward digitisation reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry.
While no U.S. carriers have yet announced plans to abandon paper boarding passes, new technologies are reshaping air travel.
In August, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration expanded its Traveler Verification Service to 15 airports.
The system captures a live facial image at baggage drop or boarding, comparing it with ID photos to allow eligible passengers to bypass traditional ID checks.
Meanwhile, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN body that regulates global aviation standards, is working on a “digital travel credential” to replace existing rules.
The new system would allow passengers to upload passport details to their phones and use facial recognition to move through airports.
The ICAO said it expects the technology to be in place within “two to three years”, signalling a broader shift away from conventional check-in procedures.
