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Ryanair counter: If you check in at the airport, you have to pay a lot more

Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP

The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has demanded 110 pounds – the equivalent of around 130 euros – from an elderly couple in the UK because they had printed out the wrong boarding passes. As the 79-year-old and the 80-year-old told the BBC, they had accidentally brought the boarding passes for the return flight instead of for the outbound flight. Printing the correct ticket at the airport then cost them £55 each.

The 79-year-old told the BBC that Ryanair's website was "very confusing" to her, but she still managed to get the boarding passes on paper the day before the flight. When you're older and you didn't grow up with the computer from day one, it can be very difficult," she said.

When she found out at the airport that it was the wrong documents and heard about the fee, she was "horrified," said the elderly woman. Her husband said they had no choice but to pay the price because they were expected in France.

Daughter's post goes viral

Several British media picked up the story on Tuesday after the daughter of the two had spoken out on the short message service X, formerly Twitter, and received a lot of attention. "110 pounds for 2 pieces of paper that took 1 minute to print. Shame on you," she wrote to Ryanair.

More than 13 million users of the platform have seen the post so far. "People must be very upset about your practices if this has become so widespread," the daughter later commented, apparently referring to Ryanair's business practices. Many low-cost airlines charge high fees for additional services, baggage or desired seats. (Read an interview with Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary here).

Meanwhile, the airline sees no mistake. Ryanair confirmed to X that the correct fee had been charged. "All passengers travelling with Ryanair agree to check in online prior to arrival at their departure airport (...)," it said. The fee was charged for check-in at the airport.

It is unfortunate that these passengers ignored the reminder email for online check-in, the statement continued.

kko/dpa