Apologies for a bit of a newbie question. But how is Ryanair checking your paperwork for COVID? Since pre-COVID you would basically be expected to only interact with a human being for a couple of seconds as they scan your boarding pass.

When I flew BA recently, I uploaded all of our COVID paperwork, but due to a minor name mismatch we couldn't check in online. But of course there were no issues going to the check-in desk at the airport.

But with Ryanair, they naturally have their exploitative fees for airport check-in and/or boarding pass printing. So, will I be asked to upload documents during online check-in, or will there simply be more Ryanair employees than normal at the gate to check my paperwork before boarding?

Thanks.

There is no information available on the Ryanair website, it just says you must have it available. Here is the link to FR COVID travel information: https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful...virus-covid-19

I've not travelled on FR to a destination where I’ve needed to have my paperwork checked, so can’t offer any insight. Perhaps head to the FR information/sales desk when you arrive at the airport. Depending on your route, the checks may be carried out at the gate.

During (and after) online check-in, there is a section allowing you to upload up to 6 different documents for that check-in.

And then at the airport, you may be asked to show the documents (physical or on the phone) at check-in and/or at the gate during boarding.

MB_again many thanks for that, some very helpful information from firsthand experience - thank you

I have taken several FR flights recently. Regardless whether you upload Covid documentation in advance/in the FR app (actually, there seems little point in doing this), your documents will be checked at the gate. When your BP is scanned you will be asked to show Covid test documentation or vaccination certificat. It is fine to show it on your phone; no need to print.

Perfect... thanks for the data points.

Because my EU Covid passport has a different i.d. number to my passport, it causes all kinds of problems with automated online systems (but a human would ignore...)

If you have the EU digital covid pass /QR code on your phone you will be fine. The gate agents just check that you have it (some agents checked if more than 14 days after getting the 2nd vaccination jab, i.e. fully vaccinated).

Since it is Ryanair we're talking about, how much they charge to check your covid paperwork?

If you upload docs to the app, download boarding pass and don�t have any bags to check in then can you go straight to the gate or do you still need to go to the check-in counters for doc checks?

I recently travelled from Athens to Luton and back. In Athens I queued up at check-in and they verified me (with a sticker added to the back of my passport) and this meant they didn't need to verify me before entering the gate area (some were verified when entering the gate area, so check-in desk didn't seem to be mandatory). In Luton, the queue for Athens was long (due to lots of checked luggage) so I asked at a less busy check-in desk and they told me I could get verified at the gate too, which is what I did (no stickers, just let through). I'd say it's worth first popping around to a check-in desk to get it done there if it's not busy.

It depends on the airport/destination. Most places you are able to enter the transit area/pass security check without and it will done at the gate, but i.a. Krakow you need to obtain a sticker at the check-in desks to be allowed to enter the transit area (you will get the sticker after your docs have been checked). Not easy to deal with...

So at MAN this morning I skipped check-in and went straight to security and the gate. They gate agent at boarding just looked at my boarding pass and didn�t ask for the documents.

Interesting, I'm assuming you had pre-uploaded all the documents in your check-in uploads area, and that perhaps they may have verified you in a back-office and put an electronic marker in the system (logical and efficient to do it this way)... did you notice anyone's documents being verified at the gate? If they didn't check, I think it would be a risk on the airline's part...

Yes I uploaded my documents via app. Maybe the agent saw the green documents uploaded message on the boarding pass and assumed all was good?

I was third in line so only know about the 2 passengers in front of me who didn�t have their documents checked either.

I can assure you that if Covid restrictions apply at your destination you documents/EU digital covid pass willl be checked at the gate.

If no restrictions, there is nothing to check.