With the two May bank holidays fast approaching, many Britons will be looking to capitalise on the extended weekends by arranging getaways. Some of the most popular airlines operating from UK airports include Ryanair, Jet2 and EasyJet, with passengers flying with these carriers urged to familiarise themselves with the latest check-in requirements.

There are specific policies and regulations travellers must be aware of, including various timing considerations to prevent missing their flights. Due to heightened queues at passport control following the implementation of EES (Entry/Exit System) for passengers travelling to non-Schengen destinations, passengers are being encouraged to allow additional time when arriving at and departing from airports overseas.

There are specific times when check-in desks remain open for passengers to drop off their luggage before closing. For anyone travelling abroad with baggage to check in, these are the latest regulations for Ryanair, Jet2 and EasyJet to acquaint yourself with to prevent any last-minute panic.

Ryanair's latest check-in rules

Ryanair has modified how check-in and boarding passes operate to enhance airport procedures. The most significant adjustment on the horizon is that check-in and bag drop desks will close earlier, commencing on November 10, 2026. The current deadline means check-in desks typically open two hours before departure and close 40 minutes prior to your scheduled flight.

From November, desks will close 60 minutes before departure across all airports. The airline is introducing this change to allow passengers greater time to clear security and passport control, particularly in light of potential delays caused by the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), reports the Liverpool Echo.

Should you fail to check in online up to two hours before your scheduled departure, you may still check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before take-off, though an airport check-in fee will be applied. See Ryanair's table of fees. "We urge all passengers to check in online before arriving at the airport to avoid these fees," the airline says.

Towards the end of last year, Ryanair moved to 100% digital boarding passes via the Ryanair App, with certain exceptions for destinations such as Morocco and Turkey, where printed passes are still required. Should you have already checked in but be unable to access your digital pass, staff are on hand to provide a free replacement.

Check-in can be completed via the Ryanair.com website or through the mobile App. Once logged in, simply select check-in and input your travel document details. For your safety and security, and for the safety and security of your fellow passengers and our crew, the check-in process must be completed by you personally, by a passenger on your booking, or by an individual with personal knowledge of you and your luggage.

If you have pre-reserved a seat, you can check in online up to 60 days before the scheduled departure. However, your outbound and return flights must fall within those 60 days of departure. If you have not reserved a seat and one is being randomly assigned to you, check-in opens 24 hours before your flight and closes two hours before.

You can check in for your flight at the airport, though you will be required to pay an airport check-in fee per passenger to cover the additional cost of the service - see Ryanair's table of fees. Should you have already checked in but are unable to display your boarding pass on the app upon arriving at the airport, you will receive a boarding pass free of charge.

Jet2's latest check-in rules

You can check in online via Manage My Booking any time from 28 days up to six hours before your departure through Jet2's website or app. You will need to either print your boarding passes, download them to your device, or check in at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure.

At the airport, Jet2 check-in desks generally open at least two hours and 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time, and potentially up to three hours before. Jet2 says: "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." If you have checked luggage, you must arrive at the check-in desk by the time stated on your itinerary, or at least two hours before your flight departs. You are also required to be at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the flight is due to take off.

Jet2 is unable to offer online check-in for flights departing from Turkey. It says: "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."

In line with European Regulations, passengers are prohibited from carrying certain items into security-restricted areas or aboard an aircraft. To view the complete list of banned items, visit the Jet2 website. At selected UK airports, Jet2 provides a Twilight Check-in service, allowing passengers to drop their luggage off at the airport the evening prior to departure if their flight is scheduled before noon.

Due to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) that commenced on April 10, 2026, travellers should allow additional time at the airport for the required biometric registration. Once you have checked in online, amendments to your booking, such as adding extra baggage or changing names, cannot be made without contacting customer services directly.

Check-in is available from 30 days to two hours before your flight departs, and you can either download or print your boarding passes for all flights. You may be required to present your passport or identity card, and EasyJet may request that you confirm your contact details.

A PDF scan of your boarding pass on a mobile device is not acceptable, as the airline states that airport security staff will be unable to scan it. It must be either the official app version or a clearly printed paper copy. Should you misplace your boarding pass, a new one can be printed. When printing, ensure the entire boarding pass is legible and clearly reproduced.

Should you make any amendments to your booking - such as adding hold luggage or changing your flight - be sure to check in again and print 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."

EasyJet highlights that timing is crucial when travelling with the airline. Passengers are advised to have all necessary documents to hand and allow sufficient time to navigate the airport in order to board punctually. Latecomers risk being refused travel and consequently missing their flight. All timings are based on your flight's scheduled departure time. Unless EasyJet advises you otherwise, these timings remain applicable even if your flight is delayed, as the airline states it always endeavours to makeup any delay. The full list of important timings can be found on the EasyJet website.

A statement on the website reads: "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."

Arrival times differ depending on the airport, however general deadlines are based on 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.