Ryanair to scrap paper boarding passes - passengers will need to use their phone

[cakeorwine]

Are print off Ryanair boarding passes really being scrapped? - Which? News

40% of people still use paper boarding passes. I am one of those people. I do have it on my phone but I do have a worry / what if with phone power, losing phone etc - where as having a paper copy is a good back up.

What happens if your phone dies?

Ryanair hasn’t yet answered this question fully. Though it has said that it can print boarding passes on the gate if necessary, based on passport information, it did not clarify what would happen if a traveller’s phone dies before they are able to pass through security in an airport where Ryanair has removed the check-in desks.
We contacted Ryanair to check if there are plans to introduce any fees for boarding passes printed at the gate, but the airline did not respond.

Flown with Ryanair a bit recently - it's fine. I can see issues at airports for people who may have phone issues, especially power - and after a flight delay. Power can go down quickly.

Scroll down on link below. It is to prevent other things being taken onboard disguised in phone casing.

See “Devices Must Be Charged” section.

https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/electronic-devices-and-electrical-items

I’ve been digging around and pretty much main/only source for this is the Which report.

In that Ryanair have remained silent on any fallback plan and any associated fees…

Maybe.

Based on observation at our local airport the vast majority of people these days offering up boarding cards to be scanned use their phones, though I accept there’s room for disruption and yes, I get it that for good reason some people will never be comfortable or be able to easily use a smartphone,

However looking at the bigger picture in the last year I’ve attended two sporting events and a concert where the default top method to access the venues was very much an event specific app within which was held the session tickets with (in one case frequently changing) QR codes.

It’s going to be harder to harder to avoid the smartphone way and that’s going to present challenges.

Who refuses to use a smart phone for religious reasons but hops on Ryanair flights?

Many orthodox Jews do not use smart phones (due to not wanting internet), many of them just use flip phones.

Well I'm sure El Al won't go down this route.....

Thing is, if you don't like it then vote with your feet and done use ryanair. I think the number of people who actually won't be able to put a boarding pass on their phone is very small and Ryan air won't even notice

I don't tend to carry a power bank but I do take my charger if I'm travelling. Airports have loads of sockets to charge phones if needed, I had to use them last time when my flight was cancelled and used up lots of battery trying to sort it out.

Well not yet they haven’t and as you say they probably never will eliminate paper altogether but…

”Everything you need to know about the El Al app…

…..At The Airport

Information about the terminal and check-in counters.
Receive flight updates in real time.
Save your boarding passes to your digital wallet.
Digital baggage tags.

www.elal.com/eng/online-services/elal-app

The problem is if the very small number of people affected are disproportionately in a vulnerable group. Or is your position meh, fuck the visually impaired, if they don't like it they can just not use Ryanair?

Not really. It's all a matter of "nudging", i.e. getting those who can to use smart phones leaving fewer and fewer who can't, and who will need extra help. Same with moving through airports - most people can manage themselves, but there is help/buggies for those who can't, but that only works when it's a minority. Ryanair will probably charge for those who are able to use smart phones but won't, and not charge for the genuinely disabled. In the same way that airports don't charge for providing a member of staff and buggy for physically impaired, but don't provide it for someone who just want's a lazy ride!

@Badbadbunny

Agree with that..

This will be all about reducing employee/sub-contractor numbers where possible so as you say this is probably a nudge to encourage those reluctant to use smartphones to maybe think about doing so, and sooner rather than later.

As far as I can work out in his statement that started all this MOL was silent on how those who genuinely can’t use e-boarding cards would be catered for.

MOL and his merry team do push the edges of legislation sometimes but they are not daft enough to ignore the regulations altogether so I’d speculate there will be provisions for those who genuinely can’t use smartphones.

I don’t understand how this will reduce staff numbers though, because as someone noted upthread, even with passport scanners at the gate (expensive!) people would need to check baggage sizes being taken on board.

Depends on current vs any future projections I guess…Reduce from 3 - >2 or even 2 - >1 and you’ve got a saving.

It’s scary how many jobs at places like Heathrow have already gone as an increasing number of functions (e.g, bag drop) have been fully or partially automated, at least in some of the terminals.

@notimagain - very true. But that also applies to supermarkets and society in general. Security staff are also on the increase at UK airports.

l’m not sure Heathrow is such a good example though. We are talking Ryanair here. The chances of Ryanair flying from there are about as likely as them taking off on the M1. Not that l consider Heathrow to be a jewel in the crown by any means. Most UK airports need a kick up the bum. But that is another story.