According to aviation data, Ryanair is the largest airline in Europe and is set to shake up its check-in process starting from May 2025. CEO of the budget airline, Michael O’Leary announced these new changes which will mean phasing out physical boarding passes.
This means that Ryanair will soon no longer have any check-in desks prior to embarking on your break. Passengers will therefore have to check-in and download their boarding passes ahead of arrival at the airport, a move set to affect roughly 40% of passengers. Ryanair attributes the update to the fact that around 60% of passengers already use the paperless service and will soon “eliminate check-in desks at the airport”.
O’Leary explained that much like eliminating the luggage counters, there will soon be no check-in desks available to passengers and will also mean no check-in fees.
He added: “Everything will be managed through the app, making the process fully digital and eliminating paper entirely.”
With this in mind, it’s important to be aware of each airlines stance of check-in rules which include:
British Airways
British Airways online and in-app check-in opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure time with passengers needing to check-in via its website or on the app.
There, passengers will have the option of either downloading or printing their boarding pass with the airline also having check-in desks where they’re able to print their pass up to three hours prior to departure.
Deadlines for this airline will depend on the airport and also the length of the flight and are recommended to check the website for their full list of check-in deadlines.
Easyjet
Passengers on Easyjet can check-in either online or on the airline’s app with online check-in opening 30 days prior to the flight’s departure date, closing two hours prior to departure time.
These boarding passes can be printed or downloaded but it’s important to remember ID is likely needed at the gate.
Another important note with Easyjet check-in is that PDF scans of boarding passes are not allowed at airport security with passengers recommended to download the airline’s app or to print out their pass instead.
Alongside their strict check-in policies, bag drops are typically open three hours prior to the scheduled departure, closing 40-60 minutes before departure.
Jet2
Jet2 passengers can check-in at their desks two to three hours prior to the scheduled flight time, depending on the airport.
Passengers can also check in online up to six hours prior to their flight time with all Jet2 check-in desks strictly closing 40 minutes prior to departure.
Accepted boarding passes for Jet2 include either a printed boarding pass or a downloaded version on a mobile device.
TUI
Online check-in times for TUI differ depending on the flight class, meaning passengers that have upgraded to Premium, Extra Legroom seats or Extra Space seats or chosen the Select Your Seat option can check-in 14 days prior to their departure date.
For all other passengers, online check-ins open 48 hours before departure date and will need to do so separately for their outbound and inbound flights.
Online check-in closes six hours prior to the scheduled departure time and for passengers unable to check-in online, TUI ensures they’ll be able to check in at the airport and will be issued a physical boarding pass at either a TUI Holiday Store or from the TUI bag drop desk.
Online check-in is also available for all TUI flights, however if flying with another airline, you will need to check in on that specific airline’s website.
