Ryanair postpones phase-out of paper boarding passes — Is Mallorca really ready?

More time, but also more questions: Is Mallorca ready for digital boarding passes?

Ryanair has pushed back the final deadline for ending printed boarding passes once again: the new date is Wednesday, 12 November, as covered by Mallorca Magic report on Ryanair postponing the switch to digital boarding passes. For many passengers on the island this comes as a relief — a few more days to try the myRyanair app help page, pack a power bank or send grandma the boarding pass via WhatsApp. The delay also raises a key question: is the digital rollout running as smoothly as the airline promises — and is Mallorca really prepared for it?

Why the airline postponed the deadline

The official reason sounds plausible: the switch should not take place in the middle of the autumn school holidays and the associated travel peak, but should be moved to a quieter period. For Mallorca this is a sensible move — nobody needs extra disruption at Son Sant Joan airport. Anyone who has seen the check‑in queues on a wet Tuesday morning knows how quickly a small technical fault can cause a backlog. The extension gives time to smooth processes — provided the parties involved use the time wisely.

The less visible problems: who gets left out?

Behind the technical consensus there is a real snag: not all travelers have a working smartphone on them at all times. Older guests, people with little trust in technology, devices with dead batteries or visitors who are offline — these are not edge cases on Mallorca but a constant user group. Distributing a digital boarding pass via messenger also raises questions about data protection and practicality: do you really want to send identity data via WhatsApp? And how does it work for large families or travel groups without a central digital contact person?

What airports and the airline should do now

The postponement is more than a delay — it is an opportunity. Practical measures that could improve both efficiency and inclusion:

1. More service points and printed exceptions: A clearly marked desk where emergencies can be handled quickly by staff on paper would relieve pressure on queues. Not as a permanent solution, but as a safety net.

2. Charging infrastructure and loaner power banks: Simple charging stations in departure areas, perhaps combined with loanable battery packs, would drastically reduce the number of “battery emergencies.” Anyone rushing to the gate after a stroll on Passeig Mallorca would benefit directly.

3. Quick-print kiosks: Even if paper should remain the exception — printing terminals for boarding passes for a small fee or free for those in need would be a pragmatic solution.

4. Better Wi‑Fi and offline options: A stable, free Wi‑Fi connection in the departure hall allows downloading the pass shortly before the flight. At the same time, airlines must provide offline-capable boarding passes that work without a network.

5. Multilingual signage and trained staff: A friendly notice in German, English and Spanish plus staff with patience and simple instructions will reduce anxiety.

Practical tips for travelers from the island

Passengers can also be prepared: install and log into the app, save the boarding pass as a screenshot, pack a power bank, and designate a second person in the group as a digital distributor if needed. If you are unsure, arrive at the airport earlier — the departure hall in Palma fills quickly, and the announcements over the loudspeakers are reassuring but won’t help when you need an unexpected IT support call.

Conclusion: One step forward — if it is inclusive

The move to digital boarding passes makes sense: faster boarding, less paper, more efficient processes. The postponement to 12 November is a sensible buffer — provided Ryanair, Son Sant Joan airport and local authorities use the time to fix weak points. An efficient system must not exclude people. With some pragmatic local measures — charging points, print kiosks, clear signs and patient staff — Mallorca can make the digital step without leaving travelers out in the rain. And if everything does go wrong on the day of departure: usually a friendly word from ground staff helps. Then you hear the wheels of rolling suitcases, the murmur of travelers and the reassuring beep when the digital boarding pass is accepted at the scanner — that’s how it should be.