Ryanair: no online check-in, the strange case of the paid boarding pass
An extra payment to get a boarding pass on their app and avoid the line at the check in counter. [...]
Ryanair
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An extra payment for obtain a boarding pass on their app and avoid the line at the check in counter. For the past few weeks, some confusion has reigned over a new regulation that Ryanair would be adopting in the online check in phase on some passengers.
And while the airline denies this new "practice" cases and reports are multiplying-both on social media and directly to us at TFC-about a new levy demanded by the low-cost carrier from its customers.
Some travelers, in fact, accuse Ryanair of forcing the payment request to have the boarding pass immediately available at check in, "advising against" standing in line at the airport. To receive the paper one at check in with the assigned seat.
Finally, someone else suggests how this stunt will soon become a new item to be added to ancillary proposed by Ryanair that historically bring substantial revenues into the carrier's coffers.
How Ryanair's online check in works
In 2008, Ryanair became the first airline in the world to ask the passengers to check in online before reaching the airport. The goal was to reduce costs by dramatically decreasing the number of travelers who had to check in, thus allowing Ryanair to pay less for user time at the departure airport.
The airport check in option is still available, but its cost is Gradually rose and as of today has reached the amount of 55 euros per person.
In some cases, it is also still necessary to print boarding pass even if you check in online or via app. In fact, according to Ryanair's website, some airports are not technologically prepared to accept the mobile version of the boarding pass: these include Kefalonia in Greece, Tirana, and all airports in Morocco, Turkey, Israel, and Lebanon.
What happened
In recent weeks, however, some passengers have encountered. An anomaly when checking in online on various types of routes and on routes (in some cases) that they are used to traveling several times a month. Passengers who refuse the'option to reserve a specific place in advance and instead accept the random assignment of places, they state that they cannot access the boarding pass online.
In fact, the airline on app or site would invite passengers to choose between Pay for a specific place, also on the app or online, or alternatively they will have to stand in line at the airport check-in counter to receive a paper boarding pass.
One of the passengers, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported to us at TFC that "Is a way to discourage people at the random selection of seat on board, which has no surcharges to pay. The rule was introduced without notice, and there is no mention of any policy change on the website."
If this were the case, then, Ryanair would be trying hard to put an end to the practice of people buying tickets with no extra surcharge to pay, other than the fare. That is, those who avoid checking baggage into the hold and do not even choose the service Priority boarding plus two carry-on bags (which would then be a carry-on plus a small duffel bag, ed.) which costs a minimum of 6 euros if you buy online when booking.
Basically, and as reported by the screenshot above, Ryanair's app notifies those who opted for the random seat choice that to receive a boarding pass with the assigned seat, it is no longer sufficient just to check in online, but you have to go to the airport. Otherwise, it is necessary to pay ( the minimum cost is 8 euros) to reserve a seat on board and finally receive a boarding pass on your smartphone.
What Ryanair says
The Flight Club questioned Ryanair directly which flatly denies this new "practice." We report below, then, the operator's official response.
What is reported is not reflected in the facts. The Ryanair digital boarding pass never incurs any cost. All Ryanair passengers can purchase a reserved seat if they wish or, otherwise, can opt for a randomly assigned seat completely free of charge.
According to BBC reports, however, a British traveler claims that it was Ryanair staff at the airport who let a few words slip by stating that "the new policy was introduced only for the last 20 passengers Who have not yet checked in for the flight."
Whether this is the truth is unknown at the moment: both because of Ryanair's flat denial, and because despite everything there are Thousands of check-ins per day for Ryanair flights who did not encounter the same "warning" that appeared to some customers.
On the other hand, there are those who argue that this new levy is the result of An all-digital "battle" between Ryanair and online travel agencies with the former committed to unhinging the intermediate sales mechanisms of the latter.
A final theory, finally, is that Ryanair is making yet another attempt to "invite" the customer to spend a little more at check in. Not least because the systemic introduction of this paid service could be "sanctioned" by the European Union because it would not be consistent with the passenger rights regulation in force on the old continent.
How to "fool" everyone and don't queue up
Those leaving from Bergamo know full well that the queue at the check-in counters can be endless, but there is a trick that allows you to skip the line, check your luggage and get a boarding pass. It works not only in Bergamo, but also in other airports such as in Genoa, where there is a dedicated check-in desk directly inside the lounge.
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