Confusion reigns about a possible change of practice by Europe’s biggest budget airline, Ryanair, requiring some passengers either to queue for a paper boarding pass at the airport or pay for seat selection. Travellers have accused the carrier of imposing a money-making policy ahead of the Christmas rush.
An airline spokesperson said: “There is no new procedure in force.”
But some travellers have told The Independent that they were informed the standard option to show a mobile boarding pass on their smart phone was not open to them.
The issue is still far from clear. But these are the key questions and answers about Ryanair check-in and boarding policies as we understand them so far.
What’s the background to Ryanair’s check-in requirements?
In 2008, Ryanair became the first airline anywhere in the world to ask passengers to check in online before reaching the airport. The aim was to cut costs: drastically reducing the number of travellers who had to see a check-in agent at a desk, and commensurately allowing Ryanair to pay less for space at the departure airport.
The option of checking in at the airport has remained available – but at a high cost. The fee started at £10, but within a year increased to £40. It is now £55 for each passenger on a booking.
Initially the boarding pass had to be printed out to avoid the charge. This was annoying and difficult for people on holiday abroad.
Soon, though, Ryanair aligned with other airlines that allow boarding passes to be carried on mobile phones and shown while going through the airport and at the departure gate.
Can I use mobile boarding passes everywhere?
No. Ryanair says: “We accept mobile boarding passes on flights from the majority of airports on our network. However unfortunately some airports cannot accept mobile boarding passes yet.”
These airports including Kefalonia in Greece, the Albanian capital, Tirana, and all airports in Morocco, Turkey, Israel and Lebanon.
Ryanair says: “Customers travelling from these airports must check in online and print out a paper boarding pass for their flight.”
Wasn’t there a controversy about airport check-in earlier this year?
Yes. In August, Ryanair was heavily criticised after charging two elderly passengers £110 at London Stansted airport, after the couple inadvertently checked in for their inbound rather than outbound flight to…
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