Ryanair passengers are being warned not to get caught out
Ryanair has recently made a change(Image: ASphotowed via Getty Images)
A Ryanair rule could land passengers with £55 charges, and it’s got nothing to do with oversized luggage. The budget carrier is well known for its stripped-back approach, often levying extra charges for items such as baggage and seat selection.
At present, those travelling on a basic fare are permitted just one small personal bag as hand luggage without facing additional costs. Should this bag exceed the specified dimensions, it will need to be placed in the hold, which will incur an extra charge. While many travellers are familiar with this regulation, there’s another Ryanair requirement that could result in you being made to fork out more.
Anyone flying with Ryanair must check in online, after which you can download your boarding pass to a smartphone or tablet. As of November 2025, Ryanair has moved to “100% digital boarding passes via its app, eliminating paper passes to reduce costs, improve service, streamline rebooking, and save 300 tonnes of paper annually”.
Online check-in opens 60 days ahead of your flight if you’ve purchased a seat, or 24 hours beforehand if you’re content to be assigned a free seat. Whatever your seating preference, online check-in shuts two hours prior to the scheduled departure time. Once you’ve checked in online, you’ll receive your boarding passes and will need to download a copy.
Failure to check in online will result in an airport check-in fee of £55 or the equivalent in euros. To sidestep this charge, ensure you have a valid boarding pass before heading to the airport.
Those without a smartphone or tablet can obtain a boarding pass from Ryanair at no extra cost, provided they have already completed their online check-in prior to arriving at the airport. Ryanair will issue check-in reminders to travellers ahead of their scheduled flights.
