The pre-flight pint at the airport is a beloved British tradition, but Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary is calling for a crackdown on excessive drinking before flights to Ibiza. The airline has seen a dramatic increase in unruly passenger behavior, particularly on flights departing from the UK to the party island. O’Leary has stated that assaults on cabin crew are now a weekly occurrence, with Ibiza flights identified as the worst offenders.
Videos on TikTok showcase the chaotic scenes aboard these ‘party planes’ heading to Ibiza. While passengers appear to revel in the boisterous atmosphere, cabin crew paint a starkly different picture. Comments from flight attendants reveal the challenges of managing these rowdy crowds, expressing frustration and concern for their safety.
Beyond the disruptive behavior, there are also serious concerns about passenger safety. Last month, a man was convicted of sexually assaulting a flight attendant on a Ryanair plane from Newcastle to Majorca. O’Leary highlights the difficulty of identifying intoxicated passengers at airports, making it challenging to prevent unruly behavior once the flight is airborne.
To address these issues, O’Leary proposes a two-drink rule for passengers flying from UK airports to Ibiza. He argues that allowing passengers to consume excessive amounts of alcohol before boarding creates an unsafe environment and undermines the enjoyment of other passengers. O’Leary emphasizes that the proposed limit is not intended to stifle passenger enjoyment, but rather to ensure a safe and enjoyable flight for all.
This move by Ryanair reflects a growing concern within the airline industry regarding the impact of alcohol consumption on passenger behavior. As airlines continue to grapple with these challenges, it remains to be seen whether other carriers will follow Ryanair’s lead in implementing similar restrictions.
