100% digital boarding passes? Here’s how to board a Ryanair flight if you don’t have a mobile phone
November 5, 2025
Ryanair has confirmed that it will complete its move to 100% digital boarding passes on Wednesday, 12 November, marking another milestone in its digital transformation strategy.
The airline postponed the original 3 November rollout to avoid delays caused by passenger confusion with the new process.
“To ensure a seamless transition to 100% digital boarding passes for our customers, we will make the switch from Wednesday, November 12, which is traditionally a slightly quieter time for travel following the busy mid-term break period,” Ryanair Chief Marketing Officer Dara Brady said.
“Ryanair’s move to 100% digital boarding passes will mean a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience for our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class ‘myRyanair’ app, where passengers will also benefit from helpful in-app features, like Order to Seat and live flight information.”
Ryanair expects the switch to fully digital boarding passes to lower airport costs and fares, provide more efficient service, including real-time flight information, improve support during disruptions, and reduce environmental impact. The airline estimates the paperless shift will eliminate around 300 tonnes of paper annually.
For most, the airline’s switch to all-digital boarding passes will not be unfamiliar.
“Almost 80% of Ryanair’s 206M+ passengers already use digital boarding passes,” the airline states in its announcement. “Ryanair’s move to 100% digital boarding passes from Nov 12th follows other key tickets industries (like festivals, music, and sport events) which have successfully switched to digital-only ticketing.”
How the Ryanair digital boarding pass works
Ryanair provides detailed instructions for passengers on how to obtain their digital boarding passes (DBP).
- You must check in online via Ryanair.com or the “myRyanair” app prior to arrival at the airport.
- After check-in, your DBP will appear automatically within the app.
- At the airport, you will present this DBP to security and the boarding gate agent.
- If you have not checked in online, and you arrive at the airport without a valid boarding pass, you will still face the usual airport check-in fee.
- Passengers flying from Morocco and from airports where paper tickets are still required must check in online as usual, then present their DBP at the airport to collect a free printed boarding pass.
What if your phone fails — or you don’t have one?
Ryanair offers guidance for passengers who lose access to their mobile device or do not have a smartphone or tablet:
- If you lose your smartphone or tablet or it dies before airport security, but you have already checked in online, you will be issued a printed boarding pass at the airport free of charge.
- If the device fails after security but before boarding, your details are already in Ryanair’s system, and you will be assisted at the gate.
- If you do not own a smartphone or tablet, you can still travel. As long as you have checked in online before arriving at the airport, you will be given a printed boarding pass at the airport free of charge. However, you will miss out on real-time updates and some enhanced app features.
- If you fail to check in before arriving at the airport, you must do so on arrival and will incur a fee for airport check-in.
- Check-in and ticket desks will still remain open at all airports to facilitate passengers who need printed boarding passes or assistance.
Ryanair’s new 100% digital boarding pass policy (in a nutshell)
| Travel scenario | Can I still board? | What Ryanair states |
|---|---|---|
| With a smartphone or tablet | Yes | Check in online and use the digital pass in the myRyanair app. |
| No smartphone or tablet | Yes | If checked in online, a free printed pass will be provided at the airport. |
| Device lost or not working | Yes | Ryanair will issue a printed pass free of charge if you’ve already checked in online. |
| Did not check in online | Check-in required | Must check in at the airport before departure. Standard fees apply. |
| Airports without digital passes | Paper pass required | Some airports and routes are excluded due to local rules; paper passes will be issued where needed. |
All information verified directly from Ryanair’s Digital Boarding Pass Help Centre.
Ryanair’s digital boarding pass initiative aligns with a broader shift across travel and ticketing industries toward fully digital ticketing. However, the airline still allows for analogue travellers (and those with low batteries) to enjoy their journey.
