As of November 12, 2025, Ryanair will require the use of a9required nume9ric boarding pass for all flights. This decision, which affects tens of millions of travelers every year9, is disrupting habits and raising8 practical, accessibility9 and safety9 issues. What does this mean in practical terms for French and international passengers, and how can they prepare9 for a worry-free journey?
What the switch to nume9ric boarding pass
The measure will render the presentation of paper cards obsolete: only documents generated via the official2e2application will be accepted at check-in and boarding. For the company, the step aims to simplify the customer journey, reduce printing costs and limit the environmental footprint of operations. For the travelersthis means mastering the2e9use of the2e9application myRyanair or save9 the card in a compatible digital wallet before arriving at the airport.
Changes at the time of disembarkation
At the security checkpoint9 and at boarding, staff will scan the digital version9 presented on a smartphone or compatible device. Passengers will need9to present a valid ID9 corresponding to the information on the card. We strongly recommend9 that you prepare your card in advance, save it in offline mode if possible, and ensure that your phone9s battery is sufficient for the entire airport journey.
Accessibility9 and vulnerable audiences
The transition to all-num9re may pose difficulties for non-smartphone users, elderly passengers or those with technical restrictions. It is essential that ae9roports and the airline provide adapted9assistance devices: counter assistance, emergency print terminals or specific accompaniment. Travelers with disabilities or without modern tele9phones should contact their airline before departure to obtain personalized solutions.
How to prepare: best practices for smooth boarding9
Te9le9load and configure myRyanair
Before each trip, download the official app9le and register online. Save the nume9ric boarding pass in the te9le9phone wallet (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet or other supported solution) for easy access without a connection. Pre9pare a screen capture as a last resort, even if the usefulness9 of the capture does not always replace the official scannable version.
Managing unexpected situations
Pre9vide an external battery if your itinerary involves several connections or long waits at airports. If you're traveling in a group, make sure that each passenger has his/her own personal nume9re card, and that the information on the nume9re card corresponds strictly to the nume9re document presented. In the event of a technical problem, please contact the company's help desk or airport staff immediately for rapid assistance.
Operational impacts and safety issues9
Efficiency9 and cost reduction
The elimination of paper cards makes queues more fluid, reduces waiting times and optimizes the management of gate flows. For Ryanair, the operation is part of a digital transformation that encompasses customer services, distribution and flight management.
Risks related9to num9ric dependence
This increased reliance on digital tools raises8 issues of cyber9security9, data protection9 and system resilience. Passengers must remain vigilant against fraud attempts (phishing, fake applications) and make sure they9re using official channels. Airports and airlines will need to invest in the robustness of digital infrastructures to avoid any massive disruption to operations.
Regulatory issues and passenger rights
National and europe9an authorities are keeping a close eye on these
What should you do if you can't provide a digital9card?
Contact the airline before departure to report your situation and ask for an adapted9solution. On site, go to the Ryanair helpdesk or the information desk at the airport for9 assistance. In certain exceptional cases, and subject to the company9s procedures, an alternative may be proposed, but this is not guaranteed and may cause delays.
The passenger response: solidarity9 and adaptation
Most travelers will quickly adopt these new practices, but the transition period requires bene9t and reinforced assistance at airports for those most exposed to the digital divide.
Key information9
Application date: November 12, 2025. Measure: boarding pass accepted9only in digital version generated9by the official application. Application : myRyanairRemember to download and set up your account before you travel.
Preparatory tip: save the card in your digital wallet, capture it in offline mode and carry an external battery. Assistance: if you don't have a smartphone or have a technical problem, contact the company before departure to arrange a solution.
Operational impact: smoother airport flows, less paper9printing, but greater need9for cyber security9and adaptations for vulnerable audiences. For any specific questions relating to your flight, please refer to9 Ryanair's official communications and airport help points.
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