Ryanair implements new check-in rule for all passengers that could see you 'denied boarding without refund'
Ryanair has introduced new rules around their checkin which could have serious consequences for passengers.
The budget airline, which is known for its no nonsense approach to air travel, stipulated new rules for things like luggage, check-in timings, as well as when you arrive at your gate.
If you don't follow the new rules then you could end up being 'denied boarding without refund', which could spell disaster for a carefully planned holiday.
At present check in desks for Ryanair flights close 40 minutes before the flight departs, unless there's a specific change for a flight, but from next month passengers will not have as much time, the Daily Star reports.
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"For all passengers flying from 10 November 2026 onwards, the check-in desks close strictly 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time unless you are notified otherwise before flight departure. If you do not complete check-in by then you may be denied boarding without refund," Ryanair said in a statement.
That means that you will now have to get checked in at least an hour before your flight is scheduled to depart, or you could end up having to either pay through the nose for the next flight, or get a taxi back home from the airport.
It's 20 minutes less time than the previous regulations, if you haven't already checked in online.
And not only that, but there is also the threat of an additional fee if you don't check in online within two hours of when your flight is set to leave.
"If you do not complete check-in online more than 2 hours before the scheduled departure time, you will be charged the airport check-in fee set out in our table of fees. If you booked a Plus or Flexi Plus ticket before the 14th of August 2025, you can check-in at the airport free of charge," Ryanair said in its 'General terms and conditions of carriage'.
Fortunately you can still check in online, a full two months in fact.
Ryanair's website says: "Online check-in opens 60 days before the scheduled departure time if you have purchased an allocated seat.
"Customers can be allocated a seat free of charge if they check-in online between 24 and 2 hours before each booked flight.
You cannot check in online during the 2 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time."
And checking in is not the only thing which has changed for Ryanair either, as several UK airports have also changed the rules about liquids that you can bring onto your flight, with some saying you can bring up to two liquids on in hand luggage, though this varies by airport.
If you are travelling through Belfast International, Belfast City, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, or London Heathrow then good news, as these airports have ditched the rules on 100ml of liquid.
However, if you're travelling through an airport not on that list then the original rules around 100ml of liquid are still in place, so it's worth checking before arriving at the airport.
Kit Roberts