Airlines are ending paper boarding passes. Here is how to prepare.

Published on Oct 2, 2025, 3:29 pm CDT

6 min read

Air travel is accelerating toward a digital-first experience, and paper boarding passes are on the chopping block. Ryanair will flip to 100 percent digital on November 12, requiring passengers to check in on the myRyanair app and present a mobile pass at the gate. The move aligns with a broader shift toward app-based travel and biometric ID checks at airports, promising faster lines and fewer printing hassles, but demanding better prep by travelers who rely on their phones.

Key points

Why it matters: Paper boarding passes are disappearing as airlines push mobile and biometric workflows.
Travel impact: Expect app check-in, mobile passes, and identity checks that increasingly use your face.
What's next: More carriers are likely to follow as regulators standardize digital credentials.
U.S. checkpoints are piloting face-matching and touchless ID in PreCheck and standard lanes.
Older phones, dead batteries, or poor connectivity can still derail your trip without a backup plan.

Snapshot

Ryanair's switch to digital-only boarding passes on November 12 formalizes a trend already embraced by most of its customers. The airline says nearly 80 percent of passengers use mobile passes today, and the new policy eliminates the option to print at home or at the airport. In the United States, airports are adding touchless ID and facial comparison at TSA checkpoints, where live images are matched to your government ID record on an opt-in basis. Meanwhile, international standards bodies are building a framework for "digital travel credentials" that can store identity data on your phone. For travelers, the near-term takeaway is simple: download your airline's app, check in early, save the pass offline, and carry a small power bank.

Background

Airlines have nudged flyers toward app check-in for years to cut costs, speed boarding, and reduce paper waste. Digital passes also let carriers push real-time gate changes, disruption alerts, and ancillary sales directly to your phone. Security agencies are modernizing in parallel, with facial comparison at the ID podium designed to confirm that the person holding a pass is the same person on the ID. The International Civil Aviation Organization's digital travel credential initiative is the next layer, aiming to let travelers store a cryptographically secure version of passport data on a device. None of these systems removes the need for government ID today, but they point to a less paper-dependent airport journey.

Latest developments

Ryanair sets a firm date for digital-only boarding passes

Ryanair confirmed it will require mobile boarding passes from November 12, replacing print-at-home and airport-printed passes. The airline frames the change as the final step in its in-app transformation, highlighting features like live flight information, disruption notifications, and "order to seat." With almost 80 percent of its more than 200 million annual passengers already using digital passes, Ryanair argues the transition will be seamless for most flyers. Travelers should register in the app, check in as soon as the window opens, and save the pass to their device wallet for offline access. Those who arrive without a working mobile pass should expect delays or fees. The policy signals where other large, cost-focused airlines could be heading. (Sources below.)

U.S. security checkpoints expand facial comparison and touchless ID

TSA continues to evaluate and deploy facial comparison at the checkpoint ID position, including opt-in use in PreCheck lanes. The technology matches a live image to your ID record to verify identity, with TSA emphasizing consent and short data-retention windows. CBP's Traveler Verification Service underpins many airline and airport pilots and is now widely deployed for entry and exit. Private-sector options are evolving too, with eGates that verify face, ID, and boarding pass before routing you into screening. See our related coverage: Senate Deadlock Keeps TSA Facial Recognition on Schedule, Clear Pilots Biometric eGates at Major U.S. Airports, and Denver Adds TSA PreCheck Touchless ID Lanes.

Standards push: the rise of the digital travel credential

ICAO's digital travel credential framework sets technical guardrails for a smartphone-held identity that can be validated with the same cryptographic trust as an e-passport. States are not required to adopt DTCs yet, but the groundwork is in place. In practice, a DTC could let travelers share verified identity data with airlines and border agencies ahead of time, smoothing airport bottlenecks. As more carriers go app-first for boarding, interoperable credentials will be key to ensuring travelers are not juggling different verification schemes on every trip.

Analysis

The operational logic behind eliminating paper passes is compelling. Mobile boarding consolidates check-in, seat changes, and notifications into one channel, while reducing misprints and bar-code damage that cause gate rescans. For airports and security agencies, biometrics can raise throughput by shrinking the time spent at the podium. That said, execution risks remain. Digital-only rules can marginalize travelers without smartphones or with accessibility needs, and failures cascade quickly when devices die or apps crash. Clear, well-communicated accommodations are essential, including assisted check-in, printed fallbacks where legally required, and staff empowerment to resolve tech issues fast. Privacy, consent, and data governance must be more than boilerplate, especially as face-matching becomes commonplace. Travelers can mitigate most pain points by preparing offline passes and power, but carriers and regulators should publish transparent performance data and independent audits to build trust. Expect a multi-year transition in the U.S., where a patchwork of policies, infrastructure, and state laws will slow any outright paper ban.

Final thoughts

Digital boarding passes are here to stay, and Ryanair's policy is a watershed moment. Prepare by leaning into airline apps, saving passes offline, and packing backup power. Watch for biometric ID to expand, especially in PreCheck lanes, and for digital travel credentials to migrate from standards to pilots. With thoughtful safeguards and clear accommodations, the shift can deliver faster, smarter, and greener journeys without leaving anyone behind. If you have not already, build your routine around the digital boarding pass.

Sources

Topics

Air Travel