Passengers could be stung with a hefty on-the-spot fine if they arrive at their check-in desk in less than 40 minutes before their flight is due to take-off.
This is a policy from budget airline, Ryanair, which has introduced a £100 penalty for late arrivals. As the nation starts booking its breaks overseas, holidaymakers may want to take note of this new rule. The debate over the ideal airport arrival time has been ongoing for years. While some travellers prefer to arrive as early as four hours before their flight, others cut it much closer, showing up just before check-in closes or when the plane is about to start boarding.
However, airport procedures such as checking in baggage and passing through security can take longer during peak travel seasons. This is why experts recommend arriving well in advance to ensure a stress-free journey.
Each airline has different check-in times, with some allowing passengers to check in only two to two and a half hours before departure. In general, the recommended arrival time is at least two hours before short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul journeys. However, Ryanair has taken a stricter approach by introducing penalties for those who arrive too late.
Under the airline’s new policy, those who arrive at the airport with less than 40 minutes before their scheduled flight could face a £100 fine per passenger. By this point, the check-in desk would have already closed, and boarding would be well underway. The same fee also applies to passengers attempting to rebook onto the next available flight after missing their original departure.
According to Ryanair’s policy on missed departures: “Only available at less than 40 mins before and up to one hour after flight departure time. Also available to customers who arrive at the ticket desk up to an hour after their flight departure to move to the next available flight. The fee is charged per passenger per sector.”
This new penalty is in line with other fees the airline has implemented in the past. For example, Ryanair charges £55 per passenger for checking in at the airport instead of online. Their policy states: “If you do not check in online up to two hours before your scheduled departure time, you may check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before departure, but you will be charged an airport check-in fee.”
To avoid these extra costs, Ryanair advises passengers to check in online and ensure they arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. The airline has previously faced backlash over hidden fees, so travellers should double-check their booking details well in advance to prevent any unexpected charges at the start of their trip.
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