While some holidaymakers prefer to download their airline boarding pass on their phone to avoid the hassle of queuing at an airport kiosk or finding a printer, others still like having the safety of a printed version in their hand as they board.
However, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, has announced that from May 2025, the airline will fully transition to digital, with plans in place to eliminate airport check-in desks entirely. This means the company will no longer accept printed boarding passes, requiring passengers to have their passes ready for scanning on their phones.
Although this could be a challenge for customers who aren’t tech-savvy, Ryanair states that 60% of its passengers already use digital boarding passes, with paper versions becoming less popular. At the moment, Ryanair charges passengers a hefty £55 if they forget to check in and download their boarding passes before arriving at the airport. This change could potentially remove any hidden fees.
The rules vary for other airlines, but many are happy to accept both paper and digital boarding passes. Here’s what some of the UK’s most popular airlines say about their boarding pass policies.
TUI
TUI’s boarding pass regulations depend on whether you’re flying with them. Online check-in is available for all TUI customers travelling on TUI flights (those with flight numbers starting with TOM). If you’ve booked through TUI but are flying with a different airline, you’ll need to check that specific airline’s website for their boarding pass rules.
On the TUI website, you’ll find specific instructions explaining: “To log into the airline website you will be asked for your flight reference number. Please note, this is not the same as your TUI booking reference. Your flight reference number will be a 6-character alpha-numeric code and can be found on your booking confirmation, e-ticket or in manage my booking on the TUI website.”
EasyJet
EasyJet encourage the use of mobile boarding passes through their app to keep travel details at hand and reduce paper use. However, they note that some airports they serve do not accept mobile passes. The list of EasyJet airport destinations that require printed passes is:
- ADB – Izmir
- AGA – Agadir
- AYT – Antalya
- AQJ – Aqaba
- BEG – Belgrade-Beograd
- BJV – Milas Bodrum
- DJE – Djerba
- ESU – Essaouira
- HRG – Hurghada
- IVL – Ivalo
- JSH – Sitia
- LXR – Luxor
- NBE – Enfidha-Hammamet
- PRN – Pristina
- RAK – Marrakech
- RBA – Rabat Sale
- RMF – Marsa Alam
- SPX – Cairo Sphinx
- SSH – Sharm El Sheikh
- TIA – Tirana
- TNG – Tangier Ibn Batouta
For these locations, although you can check in online on the EasyJet website, printing out a boarding pass remains necessary. Additionally, it’s highlighted that many of these airports also require a document check prior to going through security.
British Airways
BA accepts both digital and paper boarding passes with an added bonus for Apple Watch users. By having the British Airways app, you can receive alerts when your flight’s check-in window opens. After check-in, your boarding pass is downloadable and accessible offline on your Apple device.
How to get your boarding pass on your Apple Watch
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Download the British Airways app on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
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Check in for your flight on your iPhone.
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Download your boarding pass to Passbook/Wallet on your iPhone through the British Airways app.
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Scan your Passbook boarding pass at security and boarding gates.
Alternatively, you have the option of printing your boarding pass onto plain paper. This means you can still proceed immediately through security instead of checking in at a kiosk. However, BA advises that this is subject to the rules at your departing airport.