Ryanair is introducing a massive new change in its operations for all passengers from November 3. The budget airline said that it will completely eliminate the use of paper in its boarding process as the winter season begins.
With the implementation of this rule, passengers will now need to present their boarding pass either through the official Ryanair app or as a digital version on their device. This means the end of printed boarding passes on almost all of its routes. However, the new rules will not yet be applicable on the flights to certain destinations, such as Morocco and Albania, where local authorities still require passengers to show a paper copy before boarding.
However, for all remaining travel routes—including flights departing from airports across the Canary Islands—the procedure has transitioned to a fully digital system, reports Canarian Weekly.
This means that passengers will now complete necessary steps online, streamlining the process and reducing the need for physical paperwork or in-person interaction.
According to the airline, the move will help reduce its environmental impact, and according to them, eliminating paper boarding passes will save over 300 tonnes of waste each year and cut down on the use of printers and ink in European airports.
Apart from this, it also believes that the new system will help speed up boarding by reducing queues and congestion at departure gates.
Starting November 2025, Ryanair will require all passengers to complete online check-in before arriving at the airport.
While this shift emphasizes digital boarding passes, the airline assures that travellers who lose their phone or run out of battery can still be identified at the airport free of charge and board without any extra fees.
For those without a smartphone, a friend or family member can assist by checking in online and downloading the boarding pass on their behalf.
Ryanair notes that this update reflects current habits, as approximately 80% of its passengers already use the app, with only a small number still depending on printed passes.
