Using a non EU or UK passport on Ryanair flight?

NornIronRose

I want to book flights from UK to Ireland at the end of July. My child's UK passport will have expired by then. No appointments available to use the fast track service. 

She has a valid Algerian passport. Does anyone know if this is acceptable ID for Ryanair? She will be travelling with 2 adults with British passports and her passport states that she was born in the UK. I can't get to speak to a person at Ryanair. Only a chat bot which keeps referring me back to the FAQs. They just state a valid passport. 

Sandtree

As an Algerian she'd need a visa to enter Ireland and to return to the UK, but not as British citizen. 

Being born in the UK doesn't give you an automatic right to be British, unlike the likes of the USA, and so the fact it says she was born in the UK in her Algerian passport wouldn't be proof that she is also British. 

So yes, they will accept it as official ID however may deny boarding in either direction due to the lack of apparent right to enter the destination country. Personally would be getting that passport renewal off today and keeping fingers crossed than getting denied and potentially being trapped in Ireland until an emergency travel document is issued.

NornIronRose

Just realised when completing the application, that I also have to send off both her British passport and any other current one anyway. So I couldn't use it even if I wanted to. 

Not worried about the nationality bit btw as it clearly states that she is British on her Algerian passport too. And as I was born in N Ireland, she has a right to Irish citizenship also, should she wish to apply for that in the future. 

Voyager2002

NornIronRose said:

Just realised when completing the application, that I also have to send off both her British passport and any other current one anyway. So I couldn't use it even if I wanted to. 

Not worried about the nationality bit btw as it clearly states that she is British on her Algerian passport too. And as I was born in N Ireland, she has a right to Irish citizenship also, should she wish to apply for that in the future. 

I have no idea how an airliine 'Jobsworth' would respond to an Algerian passport stating that someone is a British citizen. I suspect they would respond that anyone with an Algerian passport needs a visa.

I suggest that you either take the ferry; or fly Easyjet etc. to Northern Ireland and then just take the train. Her expired British passport would be more than she needs to satisfy the official requirements to travel to Ireland and to take a domestic flight with most airlines (not Ryanair). Ryanair are particularly difficult in this kind of situation.

TELLIT01

It isn't 'Jobsworth' for an airline employee to apply the rules applicable to a passport.

eDicky

A passport usually states the place of birth of the holder, but this is the first time I've heard of one indicating citizenship of another country.

Anyway, if the UK renewal application has been made and documents sent in, no passport will be available for the journey.

NornIronRose said:

it clearly states that she is British on her Algerian passport too.

Voyager2002

TELLIT01 said:

It isn't 'Jobsworth' for an airline employee to apply the rules applicable to a passport.

In this case Ryanair rules state only that a valid passport must be presented, while other documentation (such as the expired passport) demonstrate that no visa is needed. However, I think it unlikely that a Ryanair 'jobsworth' would make what is legally the correct decision.

powerful_Rogue

NornIronRose said:

Just realised when completing the application, that I also have to send off both her British passport and any other current one anyway. So I couldn't use it even if I wanted to. 

Not worried about the nationality bit btw as it clearly states that she is British on her Algerian passport too. And as I was born in N Ireland, she has a right to Irish citizenship also, should she wish to apply for that in the future. 

100% it doesn't state that. As already mentioned, being born in the UK does not automatically make you British.

CKhalvashi

Voyager2002 said:

TELLIT01 said:

It isn't 'Jobsworth' for an airline employee to apply the rules applicable to a passport.

In this case Ryanair rules state only that a valid passport must be presented, while other documentation (such as the expired passport) demonstrate that no visa is needed. However, I think it unlikely that a Ryanair 'jobsworth' would make what is legally the correct decision.

Ryanair use TIMATIC, as do other airlines, as this is a directly updated tool for airlines to use.

The question in reality would be whether immigration will allow a passenger entry at the other end. Politely asking to call will likely be in order if necessary, as any non-EU/UK document will be subjected to a visa check anyway under the conditions of carriage.

silvercar

This really shouldn't be a difficult question. We may think that Ryanair, as a cheap airline, don't train their staff or apply rules more strictly than necessary, but they use TIMATIC same as any other airline. They don't want to have to pay compensation for involuntary denied boarding, so will apply the rules correctly. It may be that a supervisor needs to be called, so worth allowing extra time.
A valid Algerian passport with an expired UK passport should be fine. The expired UK passport proves she can enter the UK; theoretically an expired UK passport should be all that's needed to enter the UK, but if Ryanair T&C require a valid form of ID then you have the Algerian one.

silvercar

"There are no routine passport controls in operation for Irish and UK citizens travelling between the 2 countries.

However, you must show identification to board a ferry or an airplane, and some airlines and sea carriers only accept a passport as valid identification. You may also be asked by an immigration officer to prove that you are a citizen of Ireland or the UK, so you should carry a passport with you. "

from here: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/ireland_and_the_uk/common_travel_area_between_ireland_and_the_uk.html