Improved Ryanair app lets you check-in and download boarding passes

You can now check-in and download boarding passes.

Ryanair has launched a new app designed to make travelling easier for its passengers.

The no-frills, low-cost airline has introduced a range of new features including the ability to check-in and download boarding passes.

This may come as a relief to passengers angered by the airlines's change in policy earlier this year.

Angered by Ryanair changes

There was uproar in February when Ryanair reduced its check-in window from 14 days in advance of flying to seven days.

It meant holidaymakers who had a trip lasting more than a week had to find a way to check-in and print their pass during their holiday to avoid a £70 charge per flyer for doing it at the airport.

The new app allows passengers to check-in and download boarding passes between seven days and two hours before flying on their device.

Ryanair has denied the new functionality has been introduced because of complaints, though it admitted the app now alleviated any inconvenience that may have been experienced by the change.

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The new Ryanair app

The new app is available to download for free from the iTunes App Store and Google Play for iOS and Android users.

It now allows users to perform a variety of tasks including:

• Log in with the ‘My Ryanair’ profile
• Make quicker flight bookings
• Choose and  book allocated seats
• Check-in and download and travel with mobile boarding passes
• View live flight information

This is on top of what it could already do:

• Search Ryanair’s routes
• Manage bookings and add baggage
• Book hotels and car hire
• Book optional services such as insurance

It’s available in English, Italian and Spanish at the moment but the airline has plans for a bigger range of language versions to follow.

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Typically controversial

Ryanair’s app, which first launched back in September 2012, was typically controversial.

It cost passengers £2.49, when other airlines like EasyJet and British Airways offered theirs for free.

The app was seen as another way for the budget airline to make extra money as its functions were geared up to make customers spend more.

The app initially only allowed you to do things like add baggage to flights and book other add-ons like car hire and insurance.

But crucially it came without the functionality you would expect of an app from an airline; the ability to check-in and download boarding passes.

Since October last year Ryanair has removed the £2.49 charge, making the app available for free but only now has it been improved to be more useful to passengers.

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Improving its image

Ryanair says the changes to its app form part of its wider efforts to improve for customers.

The controversial airline has garnered a reputation for adding on extra charges and poor customer service. Last year it was voted the worst brand for customer service by consumer group Which?

But the airline has been making efforts under its 'Always Getting Better’ programme to improve its service.

It has introduced a 24-hour grace period for minor booking errors, started allowing a second free small carry bag on flights and introduced allocated seating.

The new app is its latest attempt to get on their customers' good side with the launch of a new business product to look forward to in September.

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