Ryanair to switch to 100% digital boarding passes, CEO says older travelers can adapt

Ryanair will switch to 100% digital boarding passes from November 12, the airline said, moving away from printable boarding passes at the airport. Passengers will be required to use the boarding pass generated in the Ryanair app, ending the option to download or print a physical pass. The switch is designed to speed boarding, reduce queues and cut paper waste as part of the airline's broader digital push.

CEO Michael O’Leary defended the plan on Thursday, telling reporters that older travelers can and do adapt. He noted that his 86-year-old mother already uses the Ryanair app to travel and argued that the idea that older people cannot switch to mobile technology is a myth. "I'm old, and I travel from Ryanair on a very, very regular basis, and I use the Ryanair app, it is pretty simple, pretty easy to use," he said. When asked what happens if a phone dies, he said the airline would still be able to accommodate passengers who have checked in online before reaching the gate, with manual boarding at the gate if necessary. He added, "Nobody would be cut off at the knees" and that the policy would be forgiving for those who encounter device issues. He also suggested the change could eliminate check-in fees at the airport.

Ryanair’s remarks came as the company tries to reassure customers; O’Leary, who also referenced his own experience with the app, said older travelers often rely on family members to book trips before adapting to new technology. He framed the criticism as an overreaction and said the plan reflects a natural progression toward digital convenience.

The change has drawn pushback from campaign groups representing older travelers. Critics characterized the move as ageist and warned it could leave some passengers stranded if they lack a compatible device or access to connectivity. Belfast Live reported that campaigners described the plan as a "disgraceful move" and argued it places profitability ahead of accessibility for some customers. In response, Ryanair highlighted that it will be reasonably forgiving for those who need to show a printed pass after check-in or at the gate during a transition period.

Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, Dara Brady, said the switch will be implemented on November 12, a quieter time of year after the mid-term holiday period. Brady said the company’s digital boarding passes will offer a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience through the airline’s myRyanair app, which includes features such as Order to Seat and live flight information that help streamline the journey.

Ryanair notes that almost 80% of its 206 million passengers already use digital boarding passes, a figure the airline said reflects strong adoption of the digital model across its network. The airline also pointed to broader industry trends, noting that digital-only ticketing has become standard in areas such as festivals, music events and sporting occasions.

Industry analysts say the shift aligns with a broader push among carriers to digitize workflows, improve efficiency and cut costs. The company frames the move as part of a broader digital strategy meant to speed boarding, reduce complexity at the airport and support its environmental goals. The transition is expected to ramp up through November and December as the airline enforces the new policy across its routes, with customer services and contingency options in place to handle exceptions.