Irene King: Aviation Commentator discusses new check-in process for Ryanair

Ryanair has caused quite a stir in the UK - from May next year, passengers will need to check in by smart phone only, meaning they will no longer be able to physically check in at a counter at the airport.

Currently 60 percent of their customers do check in online, but those who don't face a charge of $97 nzd.

For those without smartphones, they will have to find someone who has one. Ryanair does have a policy which lets passengers check-in online 60 days before their flights.

Aviation Commentator Irene King told Jack Tame that it's more convenient to check in online.

He says that it is the future and as a customer himself, the only focus is to get on that aircraft therefore, it is “very sensible” for that company.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ryan Air has caused a bit of a stir in
the UK. So from May next year, passengers are going
to need to check in by smartphone. Only that means
they're no longer going to be able to physically check
in at a counter at the airport and get that
little piece of paper. Currently sixty percent of their customers
check in online, but those who don't face a charge

(00:21):
of about ninety seven New Zealand dollars. Surely that's not right.
That seems too expensive anyway. Is this the beginning of
the future, at the beginning of the end for the
in person check ins for all passengers? Irene King Aviation
commentators with U Susce even think kilder Iren, what do
you make of this move?

Speaker 2 (00:40):
Well, I think you summed it up as the future.
And really, as a customer, all I want to do
is get on that aircraft, and you know, I don't
want to be intercepted by having to check in, you know,
drop your bags, all of that sort of stuff. You
just want to really turn up and get on board
and go. So I think, you know, Ryan here, it's

(01:01):
always been pretty cutting each and on's doing and if
you look at it, it's very sensible for that company.
I mean, if you've got to have a person to
person encounter, it's going to cost you a lot more money. Yeah, yourself.

Speaker 1 (01:17):
I mean, surely it's more convenient. I just I mean
I have to travel a bit. I mean, it's just
way more convenient to checking online, isn't it?

Speaker 2 (01:25):
Absolutely? Absolutely? And you know to carry your phone with you. Also,
your phones have tracking devices and they can see where
you are in the terminal, and you know, particularly if
you're running late for a flight, they can you know,
just you along.

Speaker 1 (01:41):
Yeah. I mean certainly they've been going this way for
some time. I just cannot believe there are people who
are prepared to pay ninety seven dollars to check it
in person. Well yeah, I mean that's how they get
you though, That's how they get you, Irene. You know
they do that and then there's the extra excess bad thing,
and then this is how Ryanie makes their money.

Speaker 2 (01:58):
Right yep. Yeah, you know it's called sort of byproduct
pricing in Ryanie. That's how they make the money. Absolutely totally.

Speaker 1 (02:06):
I mean the big question is what it'll mean for
people who don't have smartphones, people who aren't quite so
digitally capable. Maybe some older passengers who don't feel quite
comfortable checking in. What's going to mean for those passengers?

Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah, well you've got a choice, thank goodness. You know,
you can go with somebody else other than Ryannie. You know,
I think that there will be a bit of nervousness,
but do it the first time, do it the second time,
and you'll be sweet good to go.

Speaker 1 (02:32):
Yeah, very good. Thanks for your time. We appreciate it.
That as Irenking aviation commentator. Right now, it's twenty one
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