Ryanair Confirms November 12th Rollout of 100% Digital Boarding Passes, Marking a Major Milestone in Its Digital Transformation Journey
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, has officially announced a decisive step in its ongoing digital transformation. Beginning Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the airline will move exclusively to 100% digital boarding passes, ending the option for travelers to download and print traditional paper boarding passes. The decision, confirmed today (Wednesday, September 24), represents a significant technological and operational shift for both the airline and its customers. Originally planned for November 3, Ryanair opted to push the transition back by just over a week, to ensure a smoother rollout during a quieter post–midterm break travel period.
This change means that every passenger flying with Ryanair from November 12 onward will be required to board their flights using the digital boarding pass generated via the “myRyanair” mobile app at check-in. By eliminating the paper option, Ryanair aims to streamline the boarding process, reduce reliance on manual document checks, and align itself with broader global trends toward fully digital, contactless travel experiences.
A Seamless Transition to Fully Digital Travel
For decades, boarding passes have been an essential part of the flying experience. Passengers traditionally relied on printed slips of paper issued at airport counters or printed at home. However, as smartphone adoption surged worldwide, airlines, including Ryanair, began shifting toward mobile alternatives. With almost 80% of Ryanair’s more than 206 million annual customers already opting for digital passes, the transition to 100% digital is less of a radical leap and more of a natural evolution.
By waiting until after the busy school holiday travel period, Ryanair is ensuring passengers and staff alike have sufficient time to adapt. According to the airline, this adjustment period is critical for avoiding unnecessary disruption and ensuring that travelers become accustomed to relying solely on their devices for boarding.
Why Digital Boarding Passes?
The move toward digital-only boarding passes reflects several strategic priorities for Ryanair:
- Efficiency and Speed at the Airport
Digital passes allow for faster boarding, reducing the time spent scanning and verifying paper documents. Passengers can check in via the app and present their QR code boarding pass directly at the gate. - Reduced Environmental Impact
Ryanair has long emphasized its focus on reducing waste and improving sustainability in aviation. Eliminating paper boarding passes aligns with its environmental commitments, saving millions of printed sheets each year. - Improved Reliability and Customer Experience
With digital boarding passes integrated directly into the myRyanair app, travelers benefit from real-time updates, ensuring they always have the latest information about their flights. Unlike paper passes, which can be misplaced or damaged, digital passes remain securely stored within the app. - Consistency with Other Digital-First Industries
The airline points out that other sectors such as music festivals, sporting events, and entertainment venues have already adopted digital-only ticketing systems. By aligning air travel with these industries, Ryanair aims to meet modern customer expectations of convenience and contactless solutions.
Enhancements Within the “myRyanair” App
The move to digital-only boarding passes is not happening in isolation but as part of a much broader effort to enhance Ryanair’s digital ecosystem. The myRyanair app has evolved into more than a check-in tool—it is now a comprehensive travel companion. Some of the standout features already rolled out include:
- Order to Seat – Passengers can order food and beverages from their smartphones during the flight. By pre-ordering through the app, they are guaranteed quicker service and priority delivery.
- Live Flight Information – Travelers receive instant updates on boarding times, gate assignments, and any delays, reducing uncertainty and improving the passenger journey through airports.
- Direct Disruption Updates – During times of disruption, such as weather events or air traffic delays, passengers receive live notifications straight from Ryanair’s Operations Centre. This ensures that customers are better informed in real time, minimizing stress and confusion.
By consolidating these services, Ryanair has successfully created a digital-first ecosystem that prioritizes passenger convenience while improving operational efficiency.
Customer Readiness and Adaptation
While Ryanair acknowledges that a small segment of its customer base still prefers printed passes, the airline stresses that nearly four out of every five travelers are already using digital boarding passes on their smartphones. The move to a fully digital system will bring those remaining customers into alignment with the majority, fostering consistency across Ryanair’s vast network of flights.
For travelers who may be less comfortable with mobile technology, Ryanair has assured that assistance will be available. Ground staff will be prepared to guide passengers in downloading and accessing their passes through the app, ensuring no one is left behind in the transition.
The airline has also highlighted that the vast majority of its destinations already support digital scanning infrastructure at airports, making the switch feasible on a network-wide scale.
Aligning with Global Aviation and Technology Trends
Ryanair’s digital-only boarding pass initiative reflects a broader industry-wide shift toward technology-driven, paperless air travel. Airlines worldwide are investing in mobile technology, biometric solutions, and contactless experiences to reduce friction at airports. This trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when minimizing physical touchpoints became a health and safety necessity.
By committing fully to digital boarding passes, Ryanair is not only keeping pace with global standards but also reinforcing its reputation as a cost-efficient, forward-thinking carrier. With more than 206 million annual passengers across Europe, even small improvements in operational efficiency can result in significant time and cost savings.
A Symbol of Ryanair’s Larger Digital Transformation
The transition to 100% digital boarding passes is just one milestone in Ryanair’s broader digital roadmap. Over the past several years, the airline has invested heavily in its mobile platforms, operational technology, and customer communication systems.
From improving the check-in experience to offering digital disruption updates, Ryanair has consistently pushed boundaries in integrating technology with the passenger journey. This transformation not only enhances the travel experience for customers but also allows the airline to operate with greater agility in a highly competitive aviation market.
The Future of Flying with Ryanair
As Ryanair prepares to implement this change on November 12, the airline is also laying the groundwork for further innovations. The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning could soon bring even more personalized travel experiences, such as predictive rebooking options during disruptions, smarter baggage tracking, and enhanced in-flight services tailored to customer preferences.
The move away from paper boarding passes is therefore not the end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter in Ryanair’s evolution. The airline envisions a future where every aspect of the passenger journey—from booking to baggage claim—is seamlessly managed within the myRyanair app, minimizing physical paperwork and maximizing convenience.
Ryanair’s confirmation of 100% digital boarding passes from November 12, 2025, underscores its commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. By phasing out paper passes, the airline is aligning with modern customer behavior, supporting environmental goals, and improving the overall travel experience for millions of passengers each year.
For an airline that already carries more passengers than any other in Europe, the change signals both a practical upgrade and a symbolic milestone in its ongoing digital transformation. As Ryanair continues to innovate, travelers can expect a journey that is not only faster and more convenient but also reflective of the technological era in which we live.