Ryanair delays plans to scrap paper boarding passes – here’s date they will end

Budget airline has announced it will delay the scrapping of physical boarding passes and its plans to go by six months. In a statement released on Wednesday (March 5), the airline confirmed it will delay its move to the start of its Winter schedule on November 3.  

The move, which has sparked debate among travellers, was first announced by chief executive Michael O’Leary at a press conference in October, who revealed they were “working towards May 1”. Once introduced, Ryanair passengers will no longer download and print a physical paper boarding pass but will instead use the digital pass generated in their “myRyanair” app during check-in. 

According to the , almost 80% of Ryanair’s 200 million passengers already use this digital boarding pass. 

It reads: “As a result of this customer initiative, Ryanair expects to eliminate almost all airport check-in fees from Nov 2025, as all passengers will have checked-in online/in-app to generate their digital boarding pass.”

The move, the airline said, “will enable passengers to reduce their by eliminating unnecessary paper, saving over 300 tonnes in paper waste each year. 

“As well as being better for the environment, using the myRyanair app also enhances customers’ travel experience as they benefit from a range of helpful in-app features and initiatives (especially during disruption).”

These include a new order to seat feature allowing passengers to order directly from their seat and be served first, live flight information, terminal, gate and boarding status updates and real-time alternative flight options during . 

Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said: “Ryanair is No.1 airline for choice, low fares, and customer service. This move to 100% paperless boarding passes from November 2025 will allow us to deliver an enhanced travel experience for customers, streamlined through the myRyanair app during our less busy Winter schedule. 

“This will be particularly useful to passengers during disruptions as it will facilitate real-time updates from our Ops Centre directly to passengers’ phones, and will also provide them with alternative flight options, and offer transfers or hotel accommodation options when necessary.

“Like other ticket industries (concert, sports venues, rail, etc.) there has been a massive switch to using mobile, and with almost 80% of Ryanair customers already using the myRyanair app, it is time to transition the remaining passengers to digital, which will see them reduce their carbon footprint and receive a smoother and enhanced travel experience from November 2025 as Ryanair continues to grow to 300m passengers over the next decade.”

Many, however, have declared the change unnecessary and an open invitation to chaos. One said: “What a . They are trying to make things difficult for absolutely no reason.”

According to , one reader wrote: “… Not everyone has a smartphone or apps…” while another added, “Just Boycott them, go easyJet, Jet2 instead”. 

Others point out that older people who may not have a will struggle with the new rules.