Ryanair implements new check-in rule for all passengers that could see you 'denied boarding without refund'
Ryanair passengers flying from 10 November will need to arrive at the airport earlier or face being barred from boarding their flight.
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.
"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.
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The change has gone down like a lead balloon, with some passengers anticipating 'an extra 20 minutes to hang around the airport'.
Another complained: "Christ, how many rules is there to check in?"
If you don't already know, Ryanair passengers already incur an additional fee if you decide to check in at the airport rather than online.
It's £55 for the majority of destinations, £30 for flights to Spain and £40 to Austria.
Fortunately, you can still check in online, a full 60 days in fact if you purchase an allocated seat.
Other airlines also have strict rules on when check-in closes, some even stricter than Ryanair.
easyJet
No airport check-in at all - you have to do it online or through the easyJet app between 30 days and two hours before you fly.
British Airways
Check carefully, as the time check-in desks close varies between different airports and destinations.
At London City Airport, it closes 30 minutes before all flights. At London Stansted, it closes an hour before scheduled departure.
You also have to check in an hour before your flight for long-haul flights from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, and 90 minutes if you're travelling to Brussels from a short-haul airport.
There's more information here.
Jet2
Check-in closes 40 minutes before departure for Jet2 flights.
TUI
Check-in desks usually close 45 minutes before departure for TUI flights.
New liquids rules
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 litres of liquids 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