ryanair return flight documents.

[squelly]

I have book on line ,and printed my boarding passes .but there is no reference to the return flight boarding pass. does any one know what happens .

[Buenchico]

When you checked-in online you will have been asked if you wanted to do so for both of your flights. (However the option to do so for the return flight would only have been offered if you were checking in within 15 days of that flight).

If you've not checked in for the return flight you'll need to go through the procedure again (at any time between 15 days and 4 hours before that flight).

If you've somehow managed to check-in for the return flight but not actually printed your boarding pass, don't worry. You can re-enter the system at any time up until 4 hours before your flight and then print (or re-print) your boarding pass.

Chris

[mike11111]

I am somewat confused. It is 6 six years since I last flew, but if it is this bleeding complicated now I might never do so again. To me, the essence of the term "check-in" signifies a personal appearance at the airline desk in due time, confirming your corporeal presence and presenting a valid airline ticket as proof of your entitlement to travel, entrusting your luggage to the care of the airline, collecting your boarding pass then asking for directions to the nearest bar/duty-free. Have I got it wrong over all the years?

[grasscarp]

You cant always check in online for some destinations and need to physically present yourself at the counter on your return. You will be able to do this anyway as not everybody has internet access, or the ability to preprint a boarding card. The online bit can give you priority boarding.

[oldexpat]

mike1111 last time I flew ryan air I didnt print out my own boarding pass because I was in a car accident and couldnt get to a computer. I was even on cruches. They charged me £40 to print me a copy out at the airport.

[mike11111]

Is this type of restriction limited to the so-called "budget airlines", the "Nettos" of the aviation world, or is it now common practice?

[Buenchico]

Grasscarp's statement might be true for some airlines but not with Ryanair. Online check-in is now COMPULSORY for all Ryanair flights. There are no check-in facilities for Ryanair flights at any airport. (The bag drop desks are not able to accept flight check-ins).

Chris

[grasscarp]

I have been on a number of flights recently and never printed my boarding pass. I have never known any of the large airlines charge for supplying the pass for you. If you have luggage to check in you will need to check in at the desk anyway. (Ryanair seem to charge extra wherever they can)

[Buenchico]

Online check-in is becoming increasingly common partly because the UK Border Agency is now trying to keep track of everyone who leaves the UK, as well as checking on those who enter it. Airlines are required to provide the passport details of all travellers to the UKBA, so it makes sense to collect all of the data together in advance and then simply check that the traveller's face matches their passport photo, rather than to have to get all of the information immediately prior to the flight.

Chris

[grasscarp]

Buenchico is absolutely right. This was news to me, so longer than I thought since I travelled Ryanair. The whole story is here
http://www.telegraph....-in-policy-QandA.html

[237SJ]

Online check in is becoming increasingly popular for one reason - it`s cheaper. It saves the airline manpower.

[Andyvon]

I hope I'm not stating the obvious here and Grasscarp touched on it. It's no problem to check-in on-line and print boarding passes when sitting in the comfort of our home. However, when people are abroad staying in hotels, apartments etc. it's generally not easy or convenient to gain local access to the Internet or a printer. How then do you check-in on-line?

Perhaps hotels will commonly provide this service in future if that's the way cheap air travel is going (I'm sure the more expensive airlines will be thinking about doing the same in the future too).

[stoofur]

You can print the return boarding pass before you leave the UK

[jno]

Andyvon, hotels often do these days, but not always. I remember scrambling around Washington DC a couple of years ago looking for a late-night internet cafe because our quite posh hotel didn't have public computers and I didn't have a private one.

So far, though, Ryanair is the only airline I know requiring online check-in (saves time, saves staff, quicker turnrounds); you should still be okay with others.

[bednobs]

well Andy, as has been said before, most holidays are 14 days and you can check in 15 days in advance

[Prudie]

Beats me, with such despotic rules, why anyone would ever want to fly Ryanair - they must be much cheaper are they?

[237SJ]

Yes, and you get what you pay for!

[Andyvon]

You're quite right bednobs. I can just imagine the panic if my printer decided not to work the night before I went away!

[boxtops]

It's common practice Mike, with many airlines. When you book your seats you are asked to enter your passport details at that point, and then you print out your boarding card before you go, and take it with you, with the printout of your ticket purchase which shows your booking number. All very straightforward. The days of worrying about plane tickets arriving through the mail are going - hardly anyone comes to the desk with a folder of tickets these days.

[Hopkirk]

I wouldn't dream of doing any business with Ryanair.

[boxtops]

If you want to go quickly from Stansted to Glasgow, you don't have a lot of choice.