The budget airline is making a big change to tickets at most airports
Ryanair said the change will help eliminate check-in charges(Image: rparys via Getty Images)
Ryanair is set to make a significant change to its ticketing system, effective from November 12. Starting from this date, the airline will only issue ‘100% Digital Boarding Passes’ (DBP), and physical tickets will no longer be accepted at most airports.
This scheme, initially scheduled for May 2025, seeks to help eliminate certain charges and save around 300 tonnes of paper each year, while allowing travellers to receive direct flight updates. But if you’re concerned about the practical aspects, don’t worry.
The Mirror has summarised three main questions and answers regarding the upcoming change, using official information from Ryanair. You can also learn more about the boarding pass change on the airline’s website here
1. How can I get a digital boarding pass?
Ryanair passengers can check in online at Ryanair.com or via the Ryanair App, which is available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The Express reports that passengers should complete this process before arriving at the airport to avoid extra charges.
After check-in, a DBP will automatically appear in the Ryanair App. You should present this at airport security and the boarding gate before your flight. The budget airline stated that this method is ‘quicker, easier,’ and results in ‘less stress’ compared to using paper tickets.
2. What happens if my phone dies or I lose it before boarding?
Losing your mobile phone can be a stressful experience, but according to Ryanair’s boss Michael O’Leary, it won’t stop you from catching your flight.
In a conversation on The Independent’s daily travel podcast, he explained: “The big concern that people have is: ‘What happens if I lose my battery or what if I lose my phone?’
“…If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you’ve checked in before you got to the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge.”
Even if your mobile runs out of juice, O’Leary pointed out that staff will have each passenger’s ‘sequence number’ at the departure gate. This means you should still be able to board without it, so ‘nobody should worry’.
Guidance on Ryanair’s website echoes this, adding: “If you have already checked in online and you lose your smartphone or tablet (or it dies), your details are already on our system and you will be assisted at the gate.”
3. What if the airport Wi-Fi is poor, or I have no mobile data?
Ryanair has reassured passengers that once they’ve completed online check-in, their DBP will be accessible offline within the Ryanair App. However, its website guidance emphasises: “All Ryanair passengers will still receive email reminders to check-in online 48 and 24hrs predeparture.
“If any passenger arrives at airport but hasn’t checked in online (having ignored these reminders), they will still be required to pay the airport check-in fee.”
Currently, the fee is set at £55/€55 per passenger for most flights. However, passengers flying out of Spain are obliged to pay £30/€30, while those departing from Austria will be hit with a £40/€40 charge.
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, ex-India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta and TMS statistician Andy Zaltzman answer your questions from Old Trafford.
Do you have a question for the team? Or about another sport? Send them to us by visiting the ‘Ask Me Anything’ page on the BBC Sport website.
The grandiose castle on “The Traitors” is an apt setting for the conniving game show, immersing players in a historic location in the Scottish Highlands. Both the U.S. and U.K. versions of the series use Ardross Castle, a 19th century structure once owned by the grandson of the creator of Worcestershire sauce. It’s now owned by the McTaggart family, who graciously allow “The Traitors” to take over multiple rooms and the vast grounds during filming.
“There’s something about coming to a place that’s so steeped in history and playing a game there,” says executive producer Rosie Franks. “The castle has contributed so much to the identity of the show. We’d struggle to make the same show without it. It is a gift of a location because you don’t need any TV trickery.”
“If it wasn’t for that environment, I don’t think the players would get so invested,” adds executive producer Mike Cotton. “That feeling of being somewhere special in the middle of an isolated place allows us to create this very three-dimensional world they can inhabit.”
Here, Cotton and Franks answer all of your burning questions about “The Traitors” castle.
How was Ardross Castle selected?
The producers looked at more than 40 castles. Scotland was always a draw, as was something with fantastical flourishes. “It’s like a Disney castle that’s got Gothic and dark undertones to it,” Cotton says. “We wanted something that had that feeling but also had a great hall where we could house the round table. We needed a really big room for that.”
One of the refurbished castle rooms where “Traitors” contestants roam freely.
(Euan Cherry / Peacock)
Do we see all of the castle on the show?
Not even close. When “The Traitors” first arrived, the team discovered that areas of the building were desolate. “There’s huge parts of that castle that we don’t use within our show because they’re not renovated or haven’t been touched for a long time,” Franks says. “Plus, to rig an entire 19th century castle with cameras would be a big job.”
“What you see onscreen is a majority of the downstairs of the castle,” Cotton adds. “The cast can roam free in our space, but obviously we can’t have them roaming free over the entire castle because it would be impossible to cover it.”
The castle’s size has led to new discoveries during the series’ run. “It wasn’t until Season 2 that we discovered it had this space that felt like a dungeon,” Cotton recalls. “When Phaedra asked Kate to become a traitor, she was in this dungeon. It was a discovery we didn’t realize was underground. We’d walked over it for a whole year.”
How many cameras are in the house?
There are about 50 cameras in the castle, most of which are hidden. In the great hall, the cameras are behind wood paneling that was built inside the room to surround the round table. There are also cameras in the pillars throughout the house in addition to actual camera operators. “A lot of the pillars look like they’ve been there for 50 or 100 years, but they’ve actually been built specifically for us,” Cotton says.
Not all of the cameras are recording at once. “We’ve got a gallery of screens where we can see all of them, and then we choose a certain number that we’re recording,” Franks says. “We’re located separately in a production village in the castle’s stable block, and we’re very hands off with the game.”
Does the set change from the U.K. to the U.S. editions?
The sets are mostly the same, but the art does change. For the U.S. show, there are pictures of Alan Cumming and Andy Cohen added to the walls. Occasionally, small trinkets will be swapped out.
A secret room, hidden behind a bookcase, was transformed into a wine cellar for Season 3.
(Euan Cherry / Peacock)
Does the set evolve between seasons?
Yes. The producers make “small alterations,” Franks explains. “We like to freshen up little bits each time,” she says. “We did create a little secret room, which has been through different iterations. Last season, it was a wine cellar you access through the bookcase.”
“It feels like it’s a real place,” Cotton adds. “Yes, we fill it with some slightly eccentric decor at times, but we want it to be its own thing. With all these big Scottish castles, they don’t redecorate every single year, so we don’t either.”
What was the inspiration for the round table?
The round table is 14 feet in diameter to accommodate all the players. Season 1 production designer Mathieu Weekes looked at the table on the original Dutch show, “De Verraders,” which featured a compass, and added the phases of the moon. It houses a few cameras and is as hefty as it looks. “The top is a really big, solid piece of wood that’s got some light slightly embedded in it,” Cotton says.
Are there Easter eggs in the decor?
Of course there are. The producers hide tongue-in-cheek details in the rooms each season. For example, the book that opened the wine cellar in Season 3 was titled “The Seer,” a nod to the big finale twist. “The artwork sometimes alludes to the tones of the show or things that are going on in the castle or missions,” Franks says. “We like to drip-feed viewers throughout so that the whole thing feels like a joined-up experience.”
“The Traitors’” round table.
(Euan Cherry / Peacock)
Do the players sleep in the castle during filming?
The producers refuse to answer this definitively because it could affect future games. “The success of ‘The Traitors’ really does rely on us maintaining the integrity of the game, and that includes us keeping the details of what happens behind the scenes a secret,” Franks says.
“Keeping the traitors’ identities secret is the No. 1 thing for us,” Cotton adds. “For everyone to go to their rooms and go to bed, and then for us to get the traitors back out is a military operation. As soon as we start to talk about exactly where they sleep and how it works, we’re really worried that might unpick it all. The players are desperate to find out who the traitors are and they’ll go to any means possible to do it.”
Does the show film all of the outdoor challenges on the actual castle grounds?
Cotton says about 90% of them are filmed on site. The other 10% are done at a nearby loch. But one of the main attractions to Ardross was its 2,000 acres of land. “It’s got a river that runs through it. It’s got its own hills, it’s got fields, it’s got forest, it’s got marshland,” Cotton says. “And we use all of that. Part of the appeal was that it has a huge natural playground around it that we could use for missions.” Are there any restrictions on using real fire when filming?
None. “The Traitors” even has its own fire team to light the medieval-looking torches around the castle. “We love fire,” Cotton says. “There’s nothing like when you go in somewhere and you can smell a wood fire. We always say that the game plays really psychological because they’re immersed. So much of that is down to the castle and the set and the smells.”
The Nintendo Switch 2 console has officially been released, as retailers opened their doors at midnight — 9 p.m. here on the West Coast — to welcome early adapters and die-hard fans. It’s the follow-up to Nintendo’s second-bestselling gaming device ever; with sales topping 150 million, the Switch is behind only the handheld Nintendo DS.
Thus, Switch 2 carries expectations.
Though it has a bigger, higher-resolution 1080p screen and more processing power than its predecessor to better run some of today’s most popular games, it’s not a wholesale re-imagining. It looks similar, albeit just a tad larger, and again comes with detachable controllers, which Nintendo dubs “Joy-Con,” only now they are magnetized. Switch owners will feel right at home with the new device.
And judging by lines at retailers yesterday — a social media friend of mine claims to have spent eight hours standing outside a Best Buy to get a Switch 2 on Day One — many have already made the plunge to buy the new console. Nintendo has stated that it expects to sell 15 million new consoles between now and the end of its fiscal year next March.
Yet a new video game console brings with it questions. What is worth playing? Is it easy to upgrade? And will it even be in stock?
Nintendo has stated it believes it has enough consoles to meet demand, but whether there will be shortages after the initial rush remains an unknown. I’m still getting to know my Switch 2, but have spent some time with its showcase game and transferred my data from my prior console, and here are some initial answers to basic queries.
The showcase game for the Nintendo Switch 2 is “Mario Kart World.”
(Nintendo)
There’s only one new marquee game at launch: “Mario Kart World.” How is it?
While it may seem odd to release a new console with only one potential blockbuster title, remember that the most recent game in the series, “Mario Kart 8,” is one of Nintendo’s top-selling games, selling more than 67 million units since its release about a decade ago. Therefore, it’s a pretty safe bet, as it’s a game that works for casual and hardcore players, and has cross-generational appeal. Nintendo has also made “Mario Kart” the centerpiece of its theme park lands, of which there is one here at Universal Studios Hollywood.
And there’s good news: It’s a winner.
While its feel and tone will be instantly familiar, it comes with a couple of new tricks. One of those is a new mode called “Knockout Tour,” in which you’ll need to maintain a certain placement throughout each of the race’s five checkpoints. It’s a fast play style that is constantly upping the tension, which is key for a game in which it’s always possible to go from first to last and vice versa at a moment’s notice. Another new option, and my early favorite, is the “free roam” setting. No racing here, just exploring.
At a preview session earlier this year, some of the most fun I had was when I wasn’t racing and was simply driving my kart off the track to see what hidden surprises awaited me in the world. I came across Toad characters fishing and ramshackle vehicles that encouraged me to follow them. It was play for play’s sake. This morning, I relaxed with coffee while pulling up to a cafe run by Yoshi, and then stumbled across some timed mini-challenges in the world. It adds a surprising sense of depth and presence to Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom.
Short answer: Early impressions are dazzling.
“Nintendo Switch Welcome Tour” is a delightful exploration of the Nintendo Switch 2 featuring a host of mini games.
(Nintendo)
Wait, there’s an add-on game that’s essentially a Switch 2 tutorial? What’s that about?
I was eager to get my hands on “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour,” a $9.99 title game-as-tutorial in which we control a tiny human avatar who appears to live in a giant Switch 2. Only instead of tech bits, we see a sleek mall-meets-amusement park world full of mini-games designed to showcase various aspects of the Switch 2’s technology — a guessing game centered on frames per second or a dodging challenge that has us using the Joy-Con detachable controllers as mouse-like gadgets. The latter is one of the key differences between the Switch and Switch 2, and will be especially handy in games that require precision.
Some of the other games in “Welcome Tour” are essentially demos. One aims to show off modern television sets with 4K resolution. Another has us adjusting Switch settings to help convey the vibrancy of HDR via animated fireworks. They’re simple, quick ways to get to know new tech, and I had fun with a mini-game that tests out the rumbling of the controllers, challenging us to pinpoint the precise moment the vibrations are at their most intense. They’re good mini-games that won’t last more than a minute or two.
Yet it’s a game designed to teach players about the new fancy game console they just bought, and therefore should come bundled with it. I wonder if I’ll revisit it after my initial week with it.
Short answer: “Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour” is cute but should be free.
The Nintendo Switch 2 looks and feels familiar to the Switch.
(Nintendo)
How complicated is it to transfer data from my original Switch?
If you’re purchasing a Switch 2 and playing via cartridges rather than downloadable games, you can jump right in. But I’d recommend downloading the system update and transferring your saved game data and as many games as you’d like from your prior Switch. The Switch 2 is largely backward compatible, meaning the vast majority of older titles will work on it (Nintendo is maintaining a list).
While I opted not to download every game from my previous Switch, wanting to save space on the 256 GB internal storage of the new console, I was pleased to see that the more than 50 games I had on my older device were all ready to go. Better yet, this was all relatively simple to accomplish and extremely user intuitive. A QR code will have you log into your Nintendo account, and as long as your older Switch and Switch 2 are in the same room, everything should transfer within a couple hours, depending on how many games you want to port over.
Short answer: Don’t stress.
“Donkey Kong Bananza” is due next month for the Nintendo Switch 2.
(Nintendo)
Eek, the price! Will it increase?
Early headlines regarding the Switch 2 focused on the price. It’s high.
The base system sells for $449.99 and “Mario Kart World” carries a hefty $80 tag, the highest price Nintendo has given a game, and an atypical price for an industry that has long valued non-special editions of games at around $59.99. And just hours after announcing a price and pre-sale date, Nintendo pulled back its pre-order plan, stating that there was uncertainty due “the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.” President Trump’s trade war remains an evolving situation, but the Japanese tech giant ultimately decided not to increase the price of the system. That being said, Nintendo did up the cost of some of the accessories for the Switch 2.
In recent interviews, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser said the company would continue to monitor the situation. For now, the price is set, but things seem to always be in flux in our current political climate. Nintendo’s gaming competitor Microsoft recently raised the prices on its Xbox consoles.
Short answer: It remains unknown, but if you’re in the market for a Switch 2, it may be advisable to buy when you can.
A purchaser of the Nintendo Switch 2 at a Target in Chicago.
(Kiichiro Sato / Associated Press)
So, should I buy it?
This is, of course, the No. 1 question I receive, and I’m being honest when I say it’s difficult to answer. I’ve had a Switch 2 in my home for only half a day, at the time of writing, and while I attended a preview event earlier this year, I still haven’t been able to put it through its paces. Additionally, it’s always difficult to tell someone to drop $500 — $600 or more, if you’re buying some games and a recommended Pro Controller — on a video game console, which is, of course, a luxury item.
That being said, I am a big proponent of the importance of play, and Nintendo tends to get this right. The company’s video game mantra since its Nintendo Entertainment System days has been to show gaming and play as a medium full of possibilities, using world-building, competition and puzzles to enchant. I believe some new additions to “Mario Kart World,” for instance, such as the free roam mode, accomplish this goal. You likely already know if you’re a fan of the worlds Nintendo creates, whether they involve Mario and his brother Luigi or are franchises such as “Zelda” and “Animal Crossing.” And Nintendo isn’t going to abandon its core franchises — a new “Donkey Kong” title arrives in July — and there are some abilities, such as using the detachable controllers as mice, that should add some fun twists to future gameplay.
Short answer: If you have the means, my early impression is that Switch 2 is a worthy successor. That being said, if you’re not a fan of “Mario Kart” or Nintendo’s main franchises, I think you’re safe to wait until there are more games to your liking, as the Switch has a robust catalog and Nintendo is going to continue to support it for the near future.
