Budget airline Ryanair has confirmed that paper boarding passes will be ditched in favour of digital check-ins, which has left thousands of passengers furious. 

The airline’s boss, Michael O’Leary, said last October that the airline will phase out physical passes by May 2025. He noted that as many as 60% of travellers already use mobile passes, and he anticipated this to rise to 80% by the end of last year. 

“Our goal is to eliminate check-in desks at the airport, just like we’ve done with luggage counters”, Mr O’Leary said. “Everything will be managed through the app, making the process fully digital and eliminating paper entirely.”

He added that no one will have to pay for a boarding pass at the airport again, eliminating the airport check-in fee: “So, I think it will be a smoother, easier journey for everybody.” 

However, not all are on board with the new plans, with many urging other flyers to boycott the airline to protest the change.

According to Metro, one reader wrote: “People should just boycott… Not everyone has a smartphone or apps…” while another added, “Just Boycott them, go easyJet, Jet2 instead”. 

A third wrote: “Simple, don’t fly with them, they’re awful anyway”. Another simply said, ‘I’d rather walk”.

Others point out that older people who may not have a smartphone will struggle with the new rules.

Many have focused on the practicalities of the move, raising concerns about what would happen if the phone or app does not work or a technical glitch occurs. 

Meanwhile, another asked: “Some countries don’t accept mobile boarding passes, so how’s that going to work in places like Morocco?”

Ryanair’s website addresses this issue, explaining that airports in Turkey, Morocco, and Albania do not currently accept mobile boarding passes. Customers flying from these destinations must check in online and print out a boarding pass for their flight. 

One reader also cited a recent incident as an example of the issues associated with removing humans from the check-in process at airports. 

They said: “On a skiing holiday a few weeks ago, the electronic check-in said I hadn’t booked any hold luggage. Of course I had, hard to fit ski kit into hand luggage only.

“Thankfully the human check-in person resolved it quickly as I had the relevant paperwork for him to see, but what if there had been no human, or one roving helper for hundreds of people?”

Some people, however, see no problem with the change and have already switched to paperless: “What seems to be the problem!? I haven’t had a paper pass in over five years!”

Another added: “Grow up; it’s so easy to use the app on your phone. Why should anyone want a paper boarding pass?”

Defending the new rule, Mr O’Leary said: “I’m one of the last remaining people still showing up with my piece of paper. But it works so well. [The app] tells you your gate and if there is a delay.”