Budget airline Ryanair has launched an online check in system that will some passengers paying £13.50 for a boarding card.

The airline's "Checkn'n'Go" service allows customers to check in for flights online by printing a boarding pass between 4 hours and 3 days before departure. Once printed the boarding card can be used to bypass check in and proceed directly to the security check and departure area.

Like other airlines, the service is intended for passengers with hand baggage only. However, should you print a boarding card and subsequently decide to take hold baggage, Ryanair will charge you £5 per bag checked in and a hefty £13.50 to reissue a boarding card. The same £13.50 charge will apply if you fail to bring the boarding card with you to the airport.

Online Check In Incentives

To encourage you to use the online check in, Ryanair will put you into the priority boarding group, otherwise only available to you if you are amongst the first to check in for the flight at the airport. Rival airline Easyjet does not offer priority boarding, but allows you to present at the gate up to 15 minutes before departure. Ryanair passengers must present 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Unlike Ryanair, Easyjet does not penalise you if you forget the boarding card or if you change your plans to take more than just hand baggage.

It's likely that the regular traveller will adjust to the new check in and benefit from avoiding the queues at the airport. Occasional flyers should check all of the conditions carefully before finalising travel arrangements, remembering that the airline offering the "supposed" lowest fare, may well be trying to recoup revenues in other ways.