Ryanair App: Features, Check-In, Fees and Common Issues

Yes, the Ryanair app is worth installing if you fly with the airline, since mobile check-in and the digital boarding pass (DBP) are now mandatory for every Ryanair passenger. It also handles bookings, seat selection, and trip management, though mixed Android reviews and occasional check-in glitches mean you should double-check charges before confirming.

The Ryanair app is Europe’s most-downloaded budget airline tool, with over 50 million installs across iOS and Android. It’s also one of the most polarizing. On the Apple App Store, it holds a respectable 4.4 out of 5 from 88,000 ratings. On Google Play, the same app sits at just 3.0 stars from 387,000 reviews. That’s a 1.4-star gap between platforms, and it’s worth understanding before you rely on this app for your next trip.

What Is the Ryanair App Used For?

The Ryanair app (officially “Ryanair,” developed by Ryanair Ltd.) is a free airline booking and boarding app that lets passengers search flights, check in, manage bookings, and store their digital boarding pass in one place. It replaces most airport counter and paper-based processes with a single mobile hub.

Core Features of the Ryanair Mobile App

Why Is the Ryanair Boarding Pass Now Only in the App?

Since 12 November 2025, Ryanair issues 100% digital boarding passes through the app, and paper passes are no longer available at check-in. Ryanair states this move lowers airport costs, improves rebooking during disruptions, and eliminates roughly 300 tonnes of paper annually.

Here’s how it works in practice: once you complete online check-in through Ryanair.com or the app, your digital boarding pass (DBP) appears automatically and stays accessible offline, which matters if you’re stuck with weak airport Wi-Fi. You still present it at security and the boarding gate like a traditional pass. Ryanair also sends check-in reminder emails 48 and 24 hours before departure, so missing the window usually means an airport check-in fee.

Check-in desks remain at every airport for travelers who need assistance or document verification, but they’re no longer a free alternative to checking in online.

How Much Is the Ryanair Airport Check-In Fee If You Don’t Check In Online?

The Ryanair airport check-in fee is €/£55 per passenger, per flight sector, if you arrive without having checked in online, according to Ryanair’s official fees page. Flights departing Spain carry a €/£30 fee, and flights from Austria are €/£40. These charges are not refundable.

Because the fee applies per passenger and per sector, costs scale quickly for groups. Here’s the math (calculated using the standard €55 rate):

Decision criteria: If you’re traveling with a family on a budget, checking in through the app before arriving at the airport isn’t optional, it’s the difference between a free trip and a €440 surprise. Note that fees vary by country and can change, so verify the current amount on Ryanair’s official fees page before you fly.

What Happens If Your Phone Dies or You Lose It Before Your Flight?

If your phone is lost or dies before airport security and you already checked in online, Ryanair will issue a free boarding pass at the airport desk. If your phone dies after you’ve cleared security, gate staff can assist since your details are already in the system.

Passengers without a smartphone can still check in online in advance and collect a free boarding pass at the airport, though they won’t receive real-time flight updates or the enhanced disruption rebooking service that app users get. This is a meaningful trade-off worth considering if you’re booking for an older relative or someone without a reliable device.

What Is a “Restricted” or “Status Pending” Boarding Pass?

A restricted or status-pending boarding pass is issued when Ryanair needs to verify travel documents, such as ETA approval, visa status, or nationality-based entry rules, before confirming your DBP. You’ll need to follow in-app instructions and visit the check-in desk for document verification.

This verification is free and separate from the airport check-in fee. It’s not a penalty, it’s a compliance step, but it does mean arriving earlier than usual if the app flags your booking this way.

How Does the Ryanair App Handle Families and Multiple Passengers?

Each passenger on a Ryanair booking receives their own digital boarding pass, though adults can hold a child’s pass on their device. Ryanair recommends each adult travel with their own DBP on a personal device, but showing multiple passes from one phone, or a screenshot, is accepted at most airports.

Another traveler on the same booking can also log into the app using the booking reference and booking email to retrieve their own pass. This flexibility helps groups traveling together, though it’s worth testing this before travel day rather than at the gate.

Edge Case: Flying From Morocco

If you’re departing from Morocco, you still need to check in online first, but you must present your DBP at the airport to collect a printed boarding pass, since this route doesn’t follow the fully digital process used elsewhere.

iOS vs Android: Why Is the Ryanair App Rated So Differently?

The Ryanair app scores 4.4 stars on iOS versus 3.0 stars on Android, a 1.4-star gap. Android also has 4.4 times more reviews (387K vs 88K), which means the lower score reflects a much larger, more varied user base rather than a fundamentally different app.

It’s also worth noting that 387,000 reviews against 50 million-plus downloads means under 1% of users (roughly 0.77% at most) ever left a review. Ratings on both platforms reflect a vocal minority, not the average traveler’s silent experience. Still, the consistent gap across years suggests real platform-specific friction, possibly related to device fragmentation on Android, rather than random noise.

What Do Users Complain About Most in the Ryanair App?

The most common complaints in app store reviews include double charges for luggage already purchased during booking, inaccurate flight status updates, confusing check-in steps, and general performance bugs. These are anecdotal patterns drawn from individual reviews, not official statistics, but they appear repeatedly across both app stores.

Specific recurring issues reported by users include:

• Luggage double-charging: Travelers report being charged again for luggage options during check-in, even when already paid for at booking.
• Inaccurate notifications: Some users say the app displayed “departed” status during a reported 12-hour delay.
• Seat selection errors: Reviewers describe paid seat upgrades disappearing after a failed transaction, with no refund issued.
• Accessibility gaps: One reviewer using VoiceOver (Apple’s screen reader) found button labels like “CTA” instead of “Continue,” and navigation that got stuck on certain elements.
• Data privacy concerns: The app’s self-reported privacy label shows it can collect and link location, contact details, and identifiers to your account for analytics and personalization.

Ryanair’s release notes, which repeat “improved usability issues and fixed general bugs” roughly every one to three weeks, suggest the company is actively patching issues, though the pace of complaints hasn’t notably shifted ratings over time.

What Data Does the Ryanair App Collect?

According to Ryanair’s self-reported Apple privacy label (not independently verified by Apple), the app may collect and link to your identity: precise and coarse location, contact info (name, email, phone), device and user identifiers, and usage data. This data supports analytics, personalization, and core app functionality, per Ryanair’s privacy policy.

If you’re privacy-conscious, consider limiting location permissions to “while using the app” in your device settings rather than granting always-on access.

Ryanair App vs Website vs Airport Check-In: Which Should You Use?

Choose the app if you want offline access to your boarding pass and real-time disruption updates. Choose the website if you prefer a larger screen for managing multiple passengers at once. Avoid airport check-in unless your booking requires document verification or you’re flying from Morocco, where a printed pass is still required.

Pros and Cons of the Ryanair App

Pros:

• Access to Ryanair’s low fares without third-party booking fees
• Mandatory mobile check-in eliminates printing and most paper-based delays
• Flight comparison across multiple dates and routes in one search
• Centralized trip management through My Bookings
• Frequent update cadence aimed at fixing usability issues

Cons:

• Android ratings (3.0 stars) suggest meaningfully more friction than iOS (4.4 stars)
• Risk of double charges for luggage or seat options during checkout
• Broad data collection permissions may concern privacy-conscious travelers
• Accessibility gaps reported by screen reader users
• Mixed consistency in flight status notifications during disruptions

Tips for Using the Ryanair App Without Getting Caught Out

• Check luggage charges twice before finalizing your booking to avoid paying for the same option during check-in.
• Review your full booking summary line by line, since extra charges at the airport for add-on services are generally non-refundable.
• Turn on app notifications so you receive real-time flight status and gate changes rather than relying on airport screens alone.
• Use the date comparison tool when searching flights to find the cheapest departure within a flexible window.
• Save your booking number and confirmation email somewhere accessible offline in case you need to retrieve your DBP without internet access.
• Choose to pay in the card’s own currency at checkout. A 2010 Guardian report found Ryanair’s dynamic currency conversion could add roughly £6 to £7 per £100 booking; this is dated context, but it’s worth comparing the two payment options shown at checkout regardless of airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ryanair app free to download?
Yes, the Ryanair app is free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, with no cost to download or create an account.

How many people have downloaded the Ryanair app?
The Ryanair app has over 50 million downloads on Google Play alone, according to its Play Store listing, making it one of the most-installed airline apps in Europe.

Why is my Ryanair boarding pass only available in the app now?
Since 12 November 2025, Ryanair issues boarding passes exclusively as digital passes through the app after online check-in, replacing printed passes entirely.

What happens if I forget to check in online with Ryanair?
You’ll be charged an airport check-in fee of €/£55 per passenger per sector (€30 from Spain, €40 from Austria), according to Ryanair’s official fees page.

Can I use the Ryanair app without an internet connection at the airport?
Yes, once your digital boarding pass is issued after check-in, it remains accessible offline within the app, even without Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Why does the Ryanair app have different ratings on iOS and Android?
iOS shows 4.4 stars from 88,000 ratings, while Android shows 3.0 stars from 387,000 reviews, a gap that likely reflects Android’s far larger and more diverse user base rather than a different app experience.

Does the Ryanair app charge me twice for luggage I already paid for?
Some users report being charged again for luggage options during check-in despite paying at booking; this is based on individual app store reviews, not official statistics, so always verify your booking summary before confirming any charge.

What if my phone dies before my Ryanair flight?
If you already checked in online and your phone dies before security, Ryanair will issue a free boarding pass at the airport desk; if it dies after security, gate staff can assist using your existing booking details.

Does the Ryanair app work for travelers without a smartphone?
Yes, travelers without a smartphone can check in online in advance through a computer and collect a free boarding pass at the airport, though they won’t receive real-time flight updates or enhanced disruption rebooking.

What personal data does the Ryanair app collect?
Per Ryanair’s self-reported Apple privacy label, the app may collect and link location, contact details, and device identifiers to your identity for analytics, personalization, and app functionality purposes.