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.

Plus you don't have to zoom in. Boarding passes or train tickets save in your phone wallet.

Is it? What "paperless" is this?

Every time I get an e-ticket (other than for the train) I can print it off.

But most people will have their phone in their hand anyway. Just make sure beforehand that the ticket is saved on your phone home screen or in your phone wallet.

Yes. And they set things up so customers fall foul of it and they can deny boarding but keep the ticket cost, or "fine" the customer so they pay all over again.

As a pp said if you know the system really well you can make sure it doesn't affect you, but many people don't fly with them often enough.

Wait, shouldn’t this be a good thing, for the environment?

“Dubai, UAE, 12 May 2023: Taking a step forward in its drive to offer customers the convenience and assurance of digitally enabled travel journeys, Emirates will require most passengers departing Dubai to use a mobile boarding pass instead of a printed paper version, from 15 May onwards.”

www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-goes-digital-phases-out-paper-boarding-passes-for-flights-departing-dubai/

I think they're doing this so they can charge a completely unreasonable amount for anyone whose phone dies or who needs it printing off at the gate.

I've actually seen someone who couldn't access their tickets on their phone when they were due to board a plane, they were in a complete panic but I don't know what the outcome was. In contrast I have never seen anyone's paper ticket fail because it wasn't printed quite right. And I have been on a lot of flights in my 50 years.

I find paper easier, you don’t, it’s a preference and neither of us is going to convince the other.

So if airlines keep both then we are both happy 😃

My Clubcard is my physical clubcard.
When I get train tickets, I usually get a physical ticket.
I use my bank card to pay.

Yes - I do have some tickets on my phone but I am still "old school" when it comes to things like payment cards and yes, even train and plane tickets.

Maybe it's because I grew up with them - and there is something nice and reassuring about having the actual physical object.

This is becoming more common, my aunt who is blind can no longer use so many services as she is unable to use a smart phone. I would like to see how these companies plan to dodge disability discrimination cases.

My what?

Fair enough.
As I said though, it doesn't particularly surprise me if airlines do choose to move this way.
I'd like to see actual percentages of people who use paper or etickets, I wonder if airlines have this info.

It was pretty obviously coming. I expect other airlines to follow in time.

It probably cuts down on staff hours - they can have less people at check in if it’s all done digitally via the app.

If you choose not to have a phone that’s your choice. Apps and smart phone aren’t new technology- they’ve been around at least 15 years.

Your phone wallet. It’s an app.

@FriendlyWerewolf

I'd like to see actual percentages of people who use paper or etickets, I wonder if airlines have this info.

It’s a very data heavy/dependent industry - they will.

😄😄 your phone wallet, ie where your bank cards on your phone are stored! Google Wallet/Apple Wallet. But you mentioned earlier you use your physical bank card so you probably don't have a phone wallet.

(However it's worth me pointing out that if you do setup a phone wallet you definitely don't need to zoom in on tickets and they're accessible with one click on your phone home screen).

I have a smartphone, and have for years, I simply prefer paper for holiday bookings etc.

Another app?

Only allowing smart phone boarding passes discriminates against people with certain disabilities.

Ryanair charges aren’t too different to other airlines, the planes are the same planes, they fly to lots of major airports.

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Agree - and if they are floating this idea then it probably means that the majority of people use etickets already.

Really a phone with some sort of backup e-ink display that could show a QR code even when no power is applied would be a fucktonne more use than all of this "AI" shite they are cramming in everywhere.

However the modern age seems to be the public wants what the public gets.

I haven’t used a paper boarding pass for years and years. I’m surprised they still exist.

I’m pretty sure they will accommodate at the gate those that can’t have it in their phone wallet for some reason. My 89 year old mother in law wouldn’t dream of printing anything off nowadays. I’m surprised it’s as many as 40% that still do. I travel quite a lot and can’t recall seeing people with bits of paper.

Then you’ll have no problem using it being as it’s only a preference for paper.

Then Ryanair will add a charge on all customers to cover the costs they incur by meeting disability discrimination requirements.

The only reason I would ever fly Ryanair is if it was the only way to get to see someone who is not long to live, or to a funeral. If there really was no alternative.