The budget airline, known as much for its cost-cutting innovations as its controversies, already sees around 80% of its 200 million annual passengers using the Ryanair app to access their boarding passes. Currently, passengers can still print passes at home or pay €20 ($35AUD) to have one printed at the airport. Those who haven’t checked in online are charged €55 ($98 AUD)
But that’s all about to change. Under the new policy, boarding passes will only be available through the Ryanair mobile app, with paper versions to be phased out. A grace period will remain in place through at least January 2026, allowing some flexibility for passengers during the transition.
The move has sparked criticism, particularly from advocacy groups for older travellers.
Dennis Reed, director of UK-based seniors’ group Silver Voices, labelled the policy “disgraceful,” suggesting it could alienate or disadvantage passengers who are less tech-savvy.
“They are effectively saying they don’t want older people as passengers,” Reed claimed. “There’s a strong argument to say that it’s discriminatory.”
Unsurprisingly, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has dismissed the criticism as out of touch.
“It’s patronising,” said the 64-year-old airline boss. “I’m old, and I travel with Ryanair regularly using the app. It’s simple and easy to use.”
O’Leary added that senior travellers are some of the airline’s most tech-engaged customers. “The people who jump first on every seat sale we run are old people. If that’s the only way they can fly with Ryanair, they’ll convert, and they do.”
He also reassured customers that common tech mishaps like lost phones or dead batteries won’t mean missing a flight.
“As long as you’ve checked in before arriving at the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass free of charge if needed,” O’Leary explained. “If your battery dies, we’ve got your sequence number at the gate. You’ll still get on.”
The shift highlights a broader trend across the airline industry toward digitisation, but also raises the question of how carriers balance efficiency with inclusivity.
While Ryanair is one of the first major airlines to fully commit to a digital-only boarding process, others may follow, potentially forcing a broader conversation around accessibility in an increasingly app-first travel world.
