What changes for travelers today

Ryanair is phasing out paper boarding passes and shifting passengers to its mobile app, a move the airline frames as streamlining operations and cutting costs. The change, effective from November 12 in key markets, means most travelers will need a smartphone with the Ryanair app installed to check in, store their pass, and navigate the gate. Kiosks and staffed desks will continue at major hubs, but may involve fees or longer lines—especially for those without app access or with low batteries. The airline argues digital passes reduce fraud and speed turnarounds; unions counter that gate bottlenecks could worsen when a phone fails at the scanner. Consumer groups asked regulators to clarify minimum offline access standards, including a QR code that works without data and a clear contingency for device loss. Airports are revising signage and Wi-Fi prompts, while travel agents update client advisories to highlight battery packs and backup logins.

Regulatory questions and accessibility concerns

European Union air passenger rules allow digital documentation but require reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities or without compatible devices. That puts pressure on Ryanair to keep an equitable alternative—and to publish a transparent fee table for manual processing. Privacy advocates raised flags about bundling identity, itineraries, and payment data inside a single app, urging strong local-storage encryption and narrow consent for ad tracking. The move lands as several carriers test “app-first” boarding and as governments trial digital travel credentials that may someday replace paper passports for some routes. Success will hinge on fail-safes: robust offline passes, redundant scanners, and trained staff at chokepoints. For now, passengers should expect more uniform digital flows—and plan for edge cases with screenshots, portable chargers, and printed backups where allowed.