Ryanair moves to 100% digital boarding passes from November, drawing ageism concerns

Ryanair announced it will stop issuing physical boarding passes and move to 100% digital boarding passes from November 12, 2025, in a shift that aligns with a broader industry push toward smartphone-based travel documents. Passengers will be required to download a digital boarding pass to the myRyanair app after check-in, with no option to download or print a hard copy. The date was pushed back from November 3 to accommodate travel patterns around the autumn school-term break.

From November 12, all passengers traveling with Ryanair will need a digital boarding pass, the airline said, with a notable exception for travelers heading to Morocco. The move means paper tickets will no longer be issued, and travelers must rely on the digital pass generated by the app after online check-in. Ryanair has framed the change as a simplification of travel, noting that all travel documents could be accessed in one place. The airline also projects environmental benefits, estimating that the transition will save about 300 tonnes of paper annually.

The airline has indicated that some destinations may still require printed passes for now. While the company has moved toward digital, Albania has said it will move to digital passes from March, and Morocco remains among the destinations where paper passes may still be needed for the time being.

Campaign groups representing older travelers quickly criticized the plan. Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, called the move a "disgraceful" step that could lead to "chaos" and risk isolating older passengers who lack internet access or digital literacy. Age UK’s charity director, Caroline Abrahams, urged Ryanair to provide an alternative pathway for customers who are online less or not at all, warning that there should always be a way to access tickets that does not disadvantage those without digital access.

O’Leary has argued that the shift is part of a broader move toward convenience and efficiency. He noted that if a passenger forgets their phone or loses battery power, they can still be accommodated, provided they have checked in online beforehand; Ryanair says a paper boarding pass can be reissued at the airport free of charge in those scenarios. He reiterated the importance of checking in online prior to arrival at the airport.

Beyond boarding passes, Ryanair has signaled other policy changes as it tightens enforcement of travel rules. CEO Michael O’Leary recently announced plans to increase bonuses for gate staff who intercept passengers attempting to bring oversized luggage aboard, indicating the incentive could rise from €1.50 to €2.50 per bag from November. The airline also continues to uphold strict luggage policies, with fees for oversized items up to £75 if they are checked in at the gate. O’Leary said there would be no apology for enforcing these standards, framing them as necessary to prevent a “system” from being exploited.

The digital-pass initiative comes as airlines globally explore digital credentials to streamline check-in, gate processes, and document management. Supporters emphasize environmental savings from reduced paper use and potential efficiency gains for travelers who regularly check in online. Critics, however, worry about accessibility and inclusion for older passengers and others who lack reliable internet access or smartphones.

If Ryanair’s digital-first approach proves durable, industry watchers expect other carriers to follow, with the potential to reshape how millions of travelers navigate the boarding process. In the near term, the airline seeks to balance efficiency gains with consumer protections and practical accommodations for customers who may not be online at the same level as younger travelers.