Major changes coming for passengers flying with Ryanair. Here’s what check-in will look like soon and why it’s important you know about it.
Ryanair has announced a major change to check-in, which risks leaving passengers unaware of the new rules stranded. It’s all part of a specific strategy by the company to speed up boarding and eliminate wasted time and unnecessary costs, also to the benefit of the travellers themselves.
The CEO Michael O’Leary has in fact announced that he intends to eliminate the counters at the airport dedicated to check-in within the next 6 months, just as was done for the baggage counters. Without ticket offices it will no longer be possible to check in directly at the airport, a procedure that is now only discouraged by the application of a penalty of up to 55 euros.
In this way, passengers flying with Ryanair will be obliged to carry out the check in online in advance, a procedure that will remain free.
Important changes for Ryanair check-in
The news is not at all unexpected and in fact the low-cost airline has been in this process for years to promote online check-in. Back in 2009 the company had announced its intention to completely eliminate check-in desks, but was unable to standardize the online procedure and had to backtrack.
Now, it seems that the airline is ready for a new attempt, which this time seems to be supported by widespread use of online check-in. Not only is the procedure convenient and free (and allows for considerable savings compared to checking in at the airport), but almost all passengers have a smartphone and have no difficulty completing the necessary steps.
In this regard, we remind you that online check-in with Ryanair can be done from the official website or from the app for mobile devices. Those who do not have a smartphone can therefore check in from a computer, possibly with the help of a trusted person, simply by completing the registration and entering the data of their trip. Online check in can also be done by passengers included in the same booking, as long as they know the data of the others and the contents of the luggage.
This last request is specified by the airline to ensure knowledge of the various regulations and safety protocols to be respected for the well-being of staff and passengers.
In any case, those who have booked a seat can complete check in up to 60 days before the scheduled departure. When the seat is assigned randomly and in last minute bookings, however, check in can be done between 24 hours and 2 hours before the flight.
Online check in is completed by entering the data of your travel documents, which must obviously be valid. The documents must be compatible with the regulations of the country of arrival, ensuring that the name indicated on the document corresponds precisely to the one entered during the booking phase. Each passenger must be identifiable.
Those who do not check in online can do so at the airport, paying an additional fee. In detail, the cost is 30 euros for flights from Spain, while it is free for Flexi Plus or Plus passengers. For all others, check in at the airport costs 55 euros. The reprint fee for the boarding pass instead costs 20 euros, for those who are unable to access the digital version at the airport.
According to the latest statements by Ryanair’s CEO, as anticipated, all this is about to change. In particular, the company intends to completely eliminate the check-in desks at the airport by 1 May 2024. A choice that appears necessary to contain the costs of airline tickets, an objective that Ryanair seems to want to pursue also by limiting the free drinks given when flights are delayed.
In the meantime, the company is committed to verifying that the use of the app reaches at least 80% (currently about 60% of passengers use it), optimizing it and preparing solutions to deal with unexpected events, such as low battery.
Original article appeared on Money.it Italy 2024-10-04 18:07:27. Original title: Ryanair annuncia un importante cambiamento al check in
