Ryanair's mobile boarding passes cause frustration
Ryanair has received complaints about its new mobile boarding passes, with passengers saying they cannot access their tickets after checking via the app.
Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Natalie Paris said she had checked in and viewed her boarding pass the day before flying from Bergamo, Italy, but found the app unresponsive at the airport.
Several other travellers experienced similar problems and contacted the airline via Twitter. One wrote:
Hi @Ryanair. I have checked in on the App and when I press for boarding pass nothing happens! pic.twitter.com/clxSlGjdBK
- Matt K (@Comeragh_) August 20, 2014
Another said:
Just been charged €15 for ticket reprint by Ryanair staff after their new app failed to load my ticket. Nice one @Ryanair#appfail#typical
- futuretech+des(ft+d) (@ft_and_d_UWE) August 18, 2014
While another tweeted:
Dear @Ryanair what's the point on having a mob phone app if its way slower than old plain website? what's the benefit? #scratchingmyhead
- Heidi Leon Monges (@heidileon) August 20, 2014
But Ryanair told the Daily Telegraph that over 10,000 check-ins are completed using the app "without issue" each day and added: "If any customer arrives at the airport and has a problem displaying the mobile boarding pass having checked-in on the app, one is issued free of charge." And at least one customer has tweeted showing their appreciation:
#Ryanair App is so easy and cool . Thank you for saving my printer's ink :)
- hopebg (@hopebg) August 21, 2014
The low-cost airline revealed its new mobile app last month and by the end of July it said the app had been downloaded one million times in the 10 days since its release.
According to Computerworld UK, a Ryanair spokesman said: "We will continue this winter to rapidly develop both our website and mobile platform to deliver more innovative features and services in addition to the lowest fares to our customers."
Just this week, the budget carrier announced a new partnership with PayPal to allow customers to pay for flights using the online payments service.
RTE reported that Ryanair said it was the latest addition to improve its service, among allocated seating, a second free cabin bag and a new website and app.
PayPal's Vice President for Global Operations Louise Phelan said: "As the pioneer of faster, safer online payments, PayPal is delighted to help Ryanair develop its customer experience by making it even easier and quicker for travellers to book and pay for their flights online."
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