Ryanair has introduced a significant rule change that could see passengers charged an additional £55 at the airport. The budget airline, known for its no-frills approach, frequently imposes extra fees for services such as luggage and advance seat selection. Currently, standard ticket holders are permitted only one small personal item as hand luggage without incurring extra costs. If the item exceeds the allowed dimensions, it must be placed in the aircraft hold for an additional fee.
However, there is another Ryanair requirement that may catch travellers off guard. All passengers flying with Ryanair must check in online. After completing online check-in, boarding passes are issued and must be saved digitally on a mobile phone or tablet. In November 2025, Ryanair transitioned to 100% digital boarding passes via its app, eliminating paper passes to reduce costs, improve service, streamline rebooking, and save 300 tonnes of paper annually.
Online check-in opens 60 days before departure for those who have purchased allocated seats, or 24 hours in advance for passengers willing to accept a free seat assignment. Regardless of seating preference, the online check-in window closes two hours before the scheduled departure time. Failure to check in online results in an airport check-in fee of £55 (or the euro equivalent).
To avoid this charge, passengers must ensure they have a valid boarding pass before arriving at the airport. For those travelling without a smartphone or tablet, Ryanair will issue a free boarding pass provided online check-in has been completed prior to arrival. The airline also sends passengers a reminder to check in online shortly before their scheduled departure.
