Paper Boarding Passes Will Be Obsolete By 2030: Here’s How To Prepare

Ryanair is ditching paper boarding passes starting May 2025, leaving UK travellers wondering: Will TUI, easyJet, and British Airways (BA) be next?

For digital-first flyers, this is just another day at the airport. But if you’re the type who clings to a printed pass like it’s your golden ticket, this shift might be a headache.

Ryanair’s Move to Digital-Only Boarding

Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, announced that the airline is going fully digital, meaning passengers must use a mobile boarding pass. This also aligns with Ryanair’s long-term plan to eliminate airport check-in desks entirely.

 

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While the move is designed to streamline boarding and reduce paper waste, it raises concerns for less tech-savvy travellers. Currently, 60% of Ryanair passengers already use digital passes, with paper tickets falling out of favour.

On the plus side, eliminating paper passes could help passengers avoid Ryanair’s notorious £55 charge for forgetting to check in online before arriving at the airport.

But what about other Airlines?

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TUI’s Boarding Pass Rules

TUI’s boarding pass policy depends on the airline you’re flying with.

• If you’re flying a TUI-operated flight (TOM flight numbers), you can check in online and get a digital boarding pass.
• If you booked through TUI but are flying with another airline, you’ll need to check that airline’s boarding pass rules.

TUI advises passengers that flight reference numbers for check-in are different from TUI booking references. You can find the reference number in Manage My Booking on the TUI website.

 

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EasyJet’s Approach to Digital Boarding Passes

easyJet actively encourages passengers to use digital passes via its app, helping reduce paper waste and ensuring travel details are secure. However, some airports still require printed boarding passes.

If you’re flying from the following airports, you must print your pass:

Izmir (ADB), Agadir (AGA), Antalya (AYT), Bodrum (BJV), Hurghada (HRG), Marrakech (RAK), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), Tirana (TIA), Cairo Sphinx (SPX), Pristina (PRN) and others.

Even if you check in online, some of these airports require document checks before security.

 

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British Airways: The Most Flexible Option

BA offers the most flexibility, accepting both digital and paper boarding passes.

• You can check in and download your mobile pass via the BA app.
• Apple Watch users can even store their boarding passes in the Wallet app for seamless access.
• If you prefer, BA still allows you to print a boarding pass at home or the airport.

However, BA warns that printing may not be available at all departing airports.

 

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Are Other Airlines Likely to Follow Ryanair’s Move?

For now, TUI, easyJet, and BA still accept paper passes, but digital boarding is the preferred method. With airport automation on the rise, it’s possible more airlines will phase out paper tickets over the next few years.

If you’re flying soon, double-check your airline’s policy—especially if you prefer a physical boarding pass.