Ryanair announces new check-in deadline change starting next month with rules explained
Ryanair is changing its rules around check-in times in a matter of weeks - so if you're flying in the next few months, you ought to be punctual.
Some people aren't fussed about turning up to the airport at the eleventh hour and making it onto their flight by the skin of their teeth, but if you're travelling with this airline, you better be on time from now on.
That's because people flying with Ryanair will now have 20 minutes less to get checked-in at the airport, due to the new rules that will come into force on 10 November.
Ryanair is an airline that is notorious for its strict rules, especially when it comes to luggage.
Advert
But the travel firm which is headed up by Michael O'Leary is now redefining the rules around its airport check-in process from next month.
As it stands, airport check-in and bag drop closes 40 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure.
But in four weeks time, this will close 60 minutes before the plane is set to take off.
Explaining the reasoning behind why this new rule is being brought in, Ryanair said it will 'allow more time for passengers to get through airport security and passport queues'.
The airline hopes that this will allow travellers to arrive at their departure gate on time, 'thereby reducing the very small number of passengers who miss their flights because they get stuck in airport queues'.
As we all know, lengthy queues have become commonplace at airports these days, thanks to aspects including the digital Entry Exit System (EES).
This forces non-EU citizens to register their fingerprint and have their photograph taken, which often causes significant delays in European airports.
What happens if you don't check-in on time?
Outlining the new check-in policy, Ryanair said: " 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."
You can still check-in online before arriving at the airport, up to two hours before your departure.
Ryanair's new rules will apply at all airports that its planes fly in and out of. As passengers will have a smaller window of time to play with, the airline will be opening check-in desks earlier when the new rules are rolled out.
Dara Brady, Ryanair's Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), explained: "From Tuesday, 10 Nov, Ryanair customers will see airport check-in and bag drops close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of today’s 40 minutes.
"This will allow these 20% of our customers (who check in a bag) more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on time, especially during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer.
"The 80% who don’t check in a bag will be unaffected by this small 20-minute change, as they will continue to check in online before they arrive at the departure airport and they go straight through airport security to their departure gate."
Olivia Burke