From November 12, Ryanair is operating a ‘100% Digital Boarding Pass’ system – but how do you get one and what happens if your phone dies or you can’t get WiFi or mobile data?
Ryanair is implementing a major update to its ticketing system, effective from November 12. From that date, the airline will only issue ‘100% Digital Boarding Passes’ (DBP), and physical tickets will no longer be accepted at most airports.
This move, initially proposed for May 2025, aims to eliminate check-in charges and save around 300 tonnes of paper each year, while allowing passengers to receive direct notifications about flights. But if you’re concerned about the practicalities, look no further.
The Daily Record has summarised three key questions and answers about the new initiative, based on official details from Ryanair. You can also learn more about the boarding pass change on the airline’s website here.
1. How can I get a DBP?
Ryanair passengers can check in online at Ryanair.com or by using the Ryanair App, available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. To avoid extra charges, passengers should complete this process before arriving at the airport.
Once checked in, a DBP will then automatically appear in the Ryanair App. This should be shown at airport security and the boarding gate before your flight.
The budget airline stated that this method is ‘quicker, easier,’ and causes ‘less stress’ compared to using paper tickets.
2. What happens if my phone dies or I lose it before boarding?
Losing your phone can be stressful, but it won’t stop you from catching your flight, according to Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary. During a past discussion on The Independent’s daily travel podcast, he explained: “The big concern that people have is: ‘What happens if I lose my battery or what if I lose my phone?’
“…If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you’ve checked in before you got to the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge.”
In cases where a phone has died, O’Leary mentioned that staff will have each passenger’s ‘sequence number’ at the boarding gate. This means you should still be able to board without it, so ‘nobody should worry’.
Advice on Ryanair’s website echoes this, adding: “If you have already checked in online and you lose your smartphone or tablet (or it dies), your details are already on our system and you will be assisted at the gate.”
3. What if the airport Wi-Fi is poor, or I have no mobile data?
Ryanair has assured that once you’ve checked in online, your DBP will be available offline within the Ryanair App. Nonetheless, its website guidance stresses: “All Ryanair passengers will still receive email reminders to check-in online 48 and 24hrs predeparture.
“If any passenger arrives at airport but hasn’t checked in online (having ignored these reminders), they will still be required to pay the airport check-in fee.”
As of now, the fee is £55/€55 per passenger for most flights. However, passengers leaving from Spain must pay £30/€30, and those departing from Austria will pay £40/€40.
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