Digital boarding passes have been rising in popularity for years, and with Ryanair implementing a paper-ban this year, will other airlines follow suit?
Like most UK travellers, you likely download your boarding pass on your phone to avoid queuing at an airport kiosk or hunting down a printer. And while checking in early and downloading a digital boarding pass is a convenient and sustainable option, some passengers still find comfort in holding the physical thing.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary announced that 2025 would see the airline go fully digital from May, with further moves in place to scrap airport check-in desks altogether. This means the firm will not be accepting printed boarding passes, with passengers required to have theirs ready to scan on their phones. While this could frustrate customers who are not tech-savvy, Ryanair claims 60% of its flyers present digital boarding passes, with paper versions falling out of favour.
Currently Ryanair passengers are charged a whopping £55 if they forget to check in and download their boarding passes before arriving at the airport, so this change could eliminate any hidden charges. The rules for other airlines vary, but ultimately many are happy to accept both paper and digital boarding passes.
TUI
TUI’s boarding pass rules depend on whether you are flying with them or not. Online check-in is available for all TUI customers who are travelling on TUI flights (these are the ones with flight numbers beginning TOM).
If you have booked through TUI, but you’re flying with another airline, you will need to check their specific website for their boarding pass rules.
On the TUI website, it says: “To log into the airline website you will be asked for your flight reference number. Please note, this is not the same as your TUI booking reference. Your flight reference number will be a 6-character alpha-numeric code and can be found on your booking confirmation, e-ticket or in manage my booking on the TUI website.”
easyJet
easyJet allows and encourages passengers to download their mobile boarding pass via their app to ensure their trip information is secure and to reduce paper waste. However, easyJet does advise passengers that there are some airports within their network that do not currently accept mobile boarding passes.
The full list of easyJet airport destinations that require you to have a printed boarding pass include:
- ADB – Izmir
- AGA – Agadir
- AYT – Antalya
- AQJ – Aqaba
- BEG – Belgrade-Beograd
- BJV – Milas Bodrum
- DJE – Djerba
- ESU – Essaouira
- HRG – Hurghada
- IVL – Ivalo
- JSH – Sitia
- LXR – Luxor
- NBE – Enfidha-Hammamet
- PRN – Pristina
- RAK – Marrakech
- RBA – Rabat Sale
- RMF – Marsa Alam
- SPX – Cairo Sphinx
- SSH – Sharm El Sheikh
- TIA – Tirana
- TNG – Tangier Ibn Batouta
If you are flying from one of the above airports, you can still check in online at www.easyJet.com but you will need to print out a paper boarding pass for your flight. It should also be noted that many of these airports require passengers to complete a document check before going to security.
British Airways
British Airways accepts both digital and printed boarding passes, even providing an option for Apple Watch users.
If you already have the British Airways app downloaded, it can notify you when your flight is open for check-in. Once you have checked in and downloaded your boarding pass, you’ll be able to access it even if you’re not online through your Apple device.
How to get your boarding pass on your Apple Watch
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Download the British Airways app on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
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Check in for your flight on your iPhone.
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Download your boarding pass to Passbook/Wallet on your iPhone through the British Airways app.
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Scan your Passbook boarding pass at security and boarding gates.
Alternatively, you have the option of printing your boarding pass onto plain paper—meaning you can still proceed immediately through security instead of checking in at a kiosk. Though BA advises this is subject to your departing airport.
