Ryanair, the biggest low-cost carrier in Europe, is pushing back its full switch to digital boarding passes – now slated for November 12, 2025. Originally planned for November 3, this change is intended to provide a smoother shift for their massive 206 million annual passengers. Strategically, the delay places the changeover after the early November holidays, a typically less hectic travel window, reducing the chances of disruption.
A Digital-Only Future
Soon, on November 12, the option to download and print paper boarding passes disappears completely. Passengers will have to use digital boarding passes generated via the myRyanair app when checking in. This marks a key step in Ryanair’s ongoing digital evolution, mirroring what’s already happened in sectors like festivals, concerts, and even sports – many have gone digital-only for tickets already.
As it stands, almost 80% of Ryanair’s passengers already use digital boarding passes – a pretty significant adoption rate. The full transition is anticipated to not only streamline the boarding process but also enhance the whole travel experience, leveraging the advanced features within the myRyanair app.
Enhancing the Travel Experience
Ryanair has rolled out several app-based innovations aimed at boosting customer convenience. Think of it this way:
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Order to Seat: Customers can order food and drinks straight from their phones and get priority service.
Live Flight Information: Real-time updates – think boarding times, gate assignments, and any potential delays.
Direct Disruption Updates: Notifications right from Ryanair’s Operations Centre if there are flight disruptions.
These elements are all about providing a travel experience that’s faster, smarter, and more sustainable overall, cutting down on paper and boosting operational efficiency.
A Strategic Shift
Dara Brady, Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted the reasoning behind the postponement: “To make absolutely sure our customers have a seamless transition to 100% digital boarding passes, the switch will occur from Wednesday, November 12 – usually a slightly calmer time after the initial November holidays. Ryanair’s shift to digital boarding passes is all about a faster, smarter, and more sustainable travel experience.”
By picking a quieter time, Ryanair’s hoping to keep any inconvenience to a minimum and make sure passengers can adapt to the digital-only system with ease. It’s a move that reflects the airline’s dedication to using tech to improve service, alongside broader environmental goals by reducing paper use, generally speaking.