Ryanair has changed its airport check-in rules from today (Tuesday, 10 November), and any passengers who don’t abide could face being ‘denied boarding without refund’
Ryanair has made a major change to its check-in procedure(Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
Keeping up with the constantly shifting travel rules for airlines and airports ahead of any holiday can be a real challenge. Some regulations remain in place for years before being amended, leaving holidaymakers scratching their heads, while others are introduced to make the whole travel experience simpler and more efficient.
Regardless, there’s a hefty list of rules to bear in mind and abide by, from crucial expiry dates on your passport to liquid allowances in your hand luggage, right through to the key timings for checking in, clearing security and boarding your flight. Therefore, it’s absolutely essential to stay clued up on any updates and stick to the guidelines to guarantee a safe and hassle-free trip.
One major change has now been introduced by Ryanair, coming into effect today (Tuesday, 10 November). The revised rule from the budget carrier will affect its check-in procedures, and any passenger caught unawares could be ‘denied boarding without refund’, potentially throwing their entire holiday into jeopardy.
In a notice to passengers, Ryanair confirmed: “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.”
Ensure our latest travel headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Previously, Ryanair check-in desks shut strictly 40 minutes before a flight’s scheduled departure time, unless passengers were notified otherwise. However, under the new rule, holidaymakers will have 20 minutes less time to check in at the airport before their flight if they haven’t already done so online, reports the Liverpool Echo.
In addition to the reduced timeframe, those who fail to check in online outside the airline’s designated window may incur an extra charge. “If you do not complete check-in online more than two 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 14 of August 2025, you can check in at the airport free of charge,” the budget airline warned under their ‘General terms & conditions of carriage’.
The good news is that customers still have plenty of opportunities to check in for their Ryanair flight online. “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 72 and two hours before each booked flight. You cannot check in online during the two hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time,” Ryanair confirmed on its website.
In addition to Ryanair’s update, several UK airports have upgraded their security scanning equipment, meaning passengers can now carry up to two litres of liquids through security, rather than the former 100ml limit, and no longer need to remove them from their hand luggage. This includes the following airports so far:
- Belfast International
- Belfast City
- Birmingham
- Bournemouth
- Bristol
- Edinburgh
- London Gatwick
- London Heathrow
Elsewhere, this year also saw the European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) fully launched across airports on Friday, 10 April 2026. The new system requires all British travellers heading to the Schengen area to “create a digital record” and submit their biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph.
A further update took effect at 13 UK airports on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, permitting children aged 8 and above to use the eGates. Previously, eGates were only available to passengers aged 10 and over, but lowering the age threshold is expected to enable around 1.5 million additional children, who must also be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall, to pass through the electronic gates and other re-entry points considerably more quickly.
Ensure our latest travel news always appears at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com