- Mr Plane Guy
- Oct 3
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 7
Ryanair Goes Fully Digital: Say Goodbye to Paper Boarding Passes
By Flight Expert, Ryanair regular lover and hater Mr Plane Guy
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If you’ve ever flown with Ryanair, you’ll know the airline is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you can fly across Europe for less than the price of dinner. On the other hand… fees, fees, and more fees. Ryanair check in fee? Yep. Printing your boarding pass? Fee!
Now, there’s a brand-new rule you don’t want to ignore:
The key? A £17.99 portable charger that could be your new best travel companion. Trust me, it’s worth every penny!
From November 12, 2025, Ryanair will no longer accept paper boarding passes. Every passenger will need to use a digital boarding pass via the myRyanair app.
That means if your phone dies or you forget to download your pass, you could be in for a stressful time (and possibly a nasty fee).
Why Ryanair is Going Digital
Ryanair says this shift is all about making travel “faster, smarter, and greener.” With nearly 80% of passengers already using mobile passes, it was only a matter of time.
CEO Michael O’Leary insists that
almost everyone has a smartphone.
But what if you turn up without a smartphone, or your battery gives up mid-queue?
If you’ve already checked in online, Ryanair will now print you a paper pass at the airport for free (they’re scrapping the old €20 fee).
If you haven’t checked in at all? That’s where the Ryanair airport check in fee hits: between €30–€55depending on your route.
And if you’re flying out of Morocco, don’t worry. Government rules there still require paper boarding passes, so Ryanair will keep printing them free of charge.
How to Avoid Extra Fees at Ryanair Check-In
Still worried about your phone dying? I’ve been there. On a trip to Bruges, my phone died before I could check the Flixbus app to see why my bus was 45 minutes late, turns out my bus was cancelled. Cue the most stressful journey home EVER, complete with old-school train timetables and missed connections.
Since then, I never travel without my Charmast Power Bank with built-in cables. For £17.99, it’s cheaper than Ryanair’s €55 check-in fee and has saved me more times than I can count.
Now, before you start stressing, I’ve got a simple solution that could save you from paying those extra fees at ryanair checkin. The key? A £17.99 portable charger that could be your new best travel companion. Trust me, it’s worth every penny!
This isn’t just any charger this is the Charmast Power Bank with Built-in Cables, and it’s about to change your travel game. For £17.99, you get a 10,000mAh battery with 6 outputs and 3 inputs, meaning you can charge your phone, tablet, or even your laptop on the go. No more scrambling for charging stations at the airport or trying to remember if you packed the right cables. This little beauty has it all, including USB-C, Micro USB, and iPhone connectors built right in.
If you want a stress-free wait before your flight, Priority Pass lets you enjoy lounges worldwide. Right now, you can grab 30% off an annual Priority Pass membership (just £48).
Get your Priority Pass here → Get Your 30% Off Lounge Access Deal
Flying Ryanair from London Stansted? You might like this Review: Escape Lounge, London Stansted Airport
Or maybe you need an airport hotel at London Stansted? My Stay at Premier Inn London Stansted Airport: Hotel Review
Ryanair Luggage Size: What You Need to Know
Here’s where most travellers slip up: baggage. If you’re not 100% sure of the Ryanair luggage size rules, you’re at risk of a last-minute gate fine (and trust me, they’re brutal).
The Latest Ryanair Baggage Allowance
My Secret Weapon For TravellingLight with Ryanair : Vacuum Travel Packing Bags
I first came across these when I was prepping for a 4 day trip to Rome. I didn’t want to pay for a large cabin bag, but I also didn’t want to live in one pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
Enter: Vacuum Travel Packing Bags. 👉 Check them out here
Get 10% off with code MRPLANE10 pack smarter, travel lighter!
What They Are
Resealable bags you pack your clothes into.
Roll them and then pump the air out.
Result? Clothes are flattened into a neat little condensed packed bag.
Why They’re Brilliant for Ryanair
Shrink your clothes by up to 70%. That’s basically doubling your space.
No bulging bag. Everything is flat, neat, and easy to slide into the sizer.
Stay organised. Separate outfits, keep dirty laundry sealed away.
Pack more, pay less, use code MRPLANE10 to save you 10%.
Ryanair Baggage Allowance for 2025
Baggage Type | Size Limit | Weight Limit | Included? | Notes |
Free Cabin Bag (Underseat) | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | No weight limit (must fit under seat) | ✅ Yes | Recently increased from 40 x 20 x 25 cm 🎉. Perfect for backpacks or small totes. |
Priority Cabin Bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (plus free underseat bag) | Up to 10kg | ❌ Paid upgrade (Priority Boarding) | Best option if you want a wheelie case + personal item. |
10kg Checked Bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 10kg | ❌ Paid | Checked at the desk, cheaper than the 20kg bag. |
20kg Checked Bag | 81 x 119 x 119 cm | 20kg | ❌ Paid | Standard checked luggage. Oversized or overweight bags = big fees. |
My Bag Recommendations
To stay on Ryanair’s good side, I recommend Cabin Max bags they’re literally designed with low-cost airline rules in mind.
Cabin Max Metz 20L – Perfect for the free under-seat allowance (40 x 30 x 20 cm). Lightweight, comfy, eco-friendly.
Cabin Max Anode 40L – Ideal if you upgrade to Priority. Lightweight, spacious, and cabin-approved.
I’ve used both, and they fit Ryanair’s sizing cages like a glove. No side-eye from gate agents = no surprise charges.
You can find more information about this bag Right Here
The Cabin Max METZ 20L is my go-to under seat bag for Ryanair flights. It’s perfectly sized for Ryanair's free personal item allowance and comes packed with features:
Lightweight and Durable:Weighs only 500g, making it easy to carry around even when fully packed.
Comfortable for Travel: Extensive padding ensures comfort, whether you’re navigating airports or exploring your destination.
Organised Storage: Multiple compartments, including a front organiser pocket for travel documents, pens, and tickets, make staying organised a breeze.
Eco-Friendly: Made from recycled plastic bottles (Rpet polyester), it’s a sustainable choice for eco-conscious travellers.
This bag is also compatible with most major airlines, making it a versatile travel companion beyond Ryanair. It comes in so many different colour options
Take a look at this article; it could potentially help you save hundreds of pounds if your ever delayed on a Ryanair flight.
Or this article for lots of travel tips for flying Ryanair, such as how to navigate Ryanair's booking system to save lots of money!
Pro Tip: Delayed or Cancelled Ryanair Flight?
If your Ryanair flight is delayed more than 3 hours or cancelled, you could be entitled to up to €600 compensation under EU261 rules.
I recommend checking with AirHelp they’re the pros when it comes to getting money back from airlines. Click here to check if you’re due compensation.
Have you been delayed with Ryanair, for delays more than 3 hours or even cancelled flights, you may be entitled to up to 600 Euros per person under EU261 rules!
If you would like some help claiming back delay compensation, I recommend Airhelp, they are the best in the business!
CLICK HERE to check if you're due Compensation from Ryanair!
Final Boarding Call ( if you have battery left)
Ryanair going fully digital is a big change, but it’s also a smart one. As long as you:
✅ Check in online (to dodge the Ryanair check in fee)
✅ Keep your phone charged (seriously, pack a power bank)
✅ Know the exact Ryanair luggage size rules (40 x 30 x 20 cm is your freebie)
…you’ll be just fine.
Flying Ryanair doesn’t have to be stressful it’s all about knowing the rules and playing the game. And when flights are that cheap, it’s worth a little preparation, right?
So, whether you’re dodging baggage fees, avoiding airport fines, or just trying to keep your phone alive long enough to board this guide should keep you one step ahead of Ryanair’s tricks.
Happy travels, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for my latest Plane News & Plane Stories!
Check out my other inflight essentials!
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on. Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Ryanair Goes Fully Digital: Say Goodbye to Paper Boarding Passes.
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