Ryanair cuts check-in time for passengers without reserved seats

Millions of Ryanair passengers booked on flights after 13 June will have shorter check-in periods, in a move likely to encourage more travellers to pay for reserved seating. The budget airline said its check-in window for passengers who have not paid for reserved seating will shrink from four days to 48 hours. But if customers pay for a reserved seat – which costs from GBP3 each way but rises to GBP15 for seats with more leg room – they will be allowed to check in up to 60 days before flying. The latest rule change at Ryanair comes just months after a controversial change to its baggage policy. Passengers have to pay £5 for priority boarding to avoid having their main cabin bag checked in to the hold at their departure gate. The baggage policy was due to begin in November last year but was delayed until January amid the Ryanair flight cancellations fiasco. The new check-in policy is likely to encourage weekend-break travellers to pay for reserved seating, or be forced to find ways to check in online while abroad. For many travellers using the Ryanair app on their smartphones, check-in is a relatively simple procedure, but others will find it more daunting.<br/>