With two May bank holidays approaching, numerous travellers will be looking to make the most of the long weekends with getaways overseas. Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet are among the most popular carriers at British airports, and passengers flying with these airlines are being urged to familiarise themselves with the latest check-in regulations. Particular rules and guidelines must be followed by travellers, including different time limits to avoid the possibility of missing departures.
Following the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) resulting in longer passport control waits for those travelling to non-Schengen destinations, passengers are advised to factor in additional time when both reaching and departing international terminals. Check-in facilities operate according to fixed closing times for travellers to drop off their luggage before they cease operations, reports Nottinghamshire Live. For those heading abroad with bags to check in, here's what you need to understand about the current policies for Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet to guarantee a smooth journey.
Ryanair's current check-in regulations
Ryanair has overhauled its check-in and boarding pass procedures in a bid to streamline airport operations more effectively. The most significant upcoming change relates to the earlier shutdown of check-in and bag drop facilities, which comes into force from November 10, 2026. Under current protocols, facilities typically open two hours before departure and shut 40 minutes prior. Starting in November, check-in desks at all airports will close 60 minutes before departure. The budget airline is making this change to give passengers more time to get through security and passport control, particularly given potential delays caused by the upcoming EU Entry/Exit System (EES), according to the Liverpool Echo and the Mirror.
For those who haven't checked in online at least two hours before their flight, airport check-in will still be available up to 40 minutes before take-off, though an additional fee will be charged. Full details of the costs can be found on Ryanair's fee schedule. "We urge all passengers to check in online before arriving at the airport to avoid these fees," the airline says. Late last year, Ryanair moved exclusively to digital boarding passes via the Ryanair App, with some exceptions for certain destinations such as Morocco and Turkey, where printed passes are still required. If you have any trouble accessing your digital boarding pass after checking in, a member of staff will be able to provide a free replacement.
Passengers can check in through the Ryanair.com website or the mobile App. Once logged in, head to the check-in section and input your travel document details. In the interests of safety and security for all passengers and crew, the check-in process must be completed by you personally, by a fellow passenger on your booking, or by someone with direct knowledge of you and your luggage. Those who've reserved a seat can check in online up to 60 days before their scheduled departure. Bear in mind that both outbound and return flights must fall within this 60-day window. Passengers without seat reservations who'll receive random allocation can check in from 24 hours before departure until two hours prior. Airport check-in remains an option, though there's a charge per passenger for this service - refer to Ryanair's fee schedule for full details. Should you complete check-in but find yourself unable to retrieve your boarding pass through the app at the airport, a replacement will be issued free of charge.
Jet2's current check-in requirements
Online check-in opens 28 days before departure and closes six hours prior to take-off, available through Manage My Booking on Jet2's website or app. Travellers need to either print their boarding passes, store them digitally on their device, or use airport check-in facilities no later than three hours before their flight's scheduled departure. Airport check-in desks for Jet2 typically open between two hours 30 minutes and three hours before your scheduled departure time. Jet2 advises: "Please arrive at the airport in good time, as our check-in desks will close 40 minutes before your scheduled departure time. By this point, you must have completed the check-in process." Passengers checking in luggage must arrive at the check-in desk by the time stated on their itinerary, or at least two hours before departure. Furthermore, travellers must reach the boarding gate at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
For departures from Turkey, Jet2 cannot provide online check-in facilities. The carrier explains: "You can still complete the process and get your pre-allocated seats, but you'll need to visit our airport check-in desks to collect your boarding pass before you go to security." Under European Regulations, passengers are prohibited from carrying certain items through security or onto an aircraft. A comprehensive list of restricted items is available on the Jet2 website. At several UK airports, Jet2 provides a Twilight Check-in facility, allowing travellers to deposit their luggage the night before their flight, as long as departure is scheduled before midday. Following the launch of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) on April 10, 2026, travellers are urged to allow additional time at airports for the mandatory biometric registration process. Once online check-in is complete, any booking changes - including adding extra baggage or modifying names - must be arranged through customer services.
EasyJet's revised check-in rules
Passengers can check in online anywhere between 30 days and two hours before departure, obtaining their boarding passes either digitally or as a printed document. A valid passport or identity card may be required, with easyJet potentially asking travellers to verify their contact details. The airline does not accept PDF scans of boarding passes displayed on mobile phones, as security personnel at airports are unable to process these. Travellers must present either the official app version or a legible printed hard copy. Replacement boarding passes can be reprinted, provided all details remain clearly visible. Should any amendments be made to a booking - whether adding hold luggage or altering departure times - passengers will need to check in again and obtain a fresh boarding pass.
EasyJet advises: "If you have any technical problems whilst checking in, please don't give up and do try again later. If you continue to have difficulty, please ask our ground crew for help when checking in at the airport: this must be done before the bag drop closing time." The airline emphasises the significance of observing specific travel deadlines. Passengers must ensure all relevant documentation is in order and allow sufficient time to navigate the airport and reach their gate promptly. Those who fail to arrive on time risk being denied boarding by easyJet, resulting in a lost booking. All quoted timings are calculated based on the scheduled departure time of your flight. Unless informed differently by easyJet, these timeframes remain in place even when flights are running late, as the carrier insists it continually strives to recover any lost time. The complete list of crucial timings is available on the easyJet website.
A statement on the site explains: "Please note - airport times may change after you've booked. For example, if there's major disruption or new airport procedures such as increased security. We'll send any updates using the contact details we have for your booking, so please check with the booker that we have the correct details. Please also check our Flight Tracker for the latest updates about your flight." Check-in requirements differ according to the airport, although standard cut-off periods are calculated from your scheduled departure: Bag drop opens: Usually two to three hours before departure. Bag drop closes: Strictly 40 to 60 minutes before departure, depending on the airport. Gate closes: Promptly 30 minutes before departure.
