The most common mistakes during check-in

Not completing online check-in in time

Ryanair opens free online check-in 24 hours before departure (up to 60 days before for those with Flexi Plus), easyJet opens it up to 30 days before and closes it 2 hours before the flight: those who arrive at the desk without having done it pay for the desk procedure, when still available, at a cost almost always higher than the app's free service.

Wrong personal data discovered too late

A name that does not match exactly to your identity document, even for a single character, can block automatic check-in and force you to go to the assistance desk; it's best to check the entered data immediately after purchase, not wait until the day of the flight, because free correction is almost always tied to a 24-48 hour window from booking.

Left without digital boarding pass

From November 2025 Ryanair requires the app with the digital pass to board on European flights, with exceptions for some non-EU countries like Morocco and Albania: those who don't have it, due to dead battery, app not downloaded in time or no connection at the gate, risk the €55 surcharge, or €20 if they present an invalid or incomplete document. Downloading the app and saving the boarding pass offline before leaving home avoids the problem even without airport connection.

Do your online check-in as soon as the window opens — 24 hours before on Ryanair, up to 30 days before on easyJet — and immediately save your boarding pass offline on your phone: it's the safest way to avoid a surcharge that could exceed the ticket price itself.