Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Alamy Stock Photo

Ryanair is begging airport bars to cut patrons off after two drinks

The airline thinks the policy would make for “a safer travel experience for passengers and crews”.

RYANAIR IS PLEADING with airport bars to limit passengers to just two alcoholic drinks each.

The airline believes the policy would result in “a safer travel experience for passengers and crews”.

A Ryanair spokesperson claimed that European governments “repeatedly fail to take action when disruptive passengers threaten aircraft safety and force them to divert”.

“It is time that European Union authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports,” the spokesperson said.

“Airlines like Ryanair already restrict and limit the sale of alcohol on board our aircraft, particularly in disruptive passenger cases. However, during flight delays, passengers are consuming excess alcohol at airports without any limit on purchase or consumption,” they said.

“We fail to understand why passengers at airports are not limited to two alcoholic drinks (using their boarding pass in exactly the same way they limit duty free sales), as this would result in safer and better passenger behaviour on board aircraft, and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews all over Europe.”

Ryanair’s call for a two-drink limit was first made by its chief executive Michael O’Leary in August last year, as he reported an increase in disorder on flights.

Ryanair announced last week it has started taking legal action to recover losses against disruptive passengers, as part of a “major misconduct clampdown”.

It said it filed civil legal proceedings against a passenger in Ireland to seek €15,000 in damages related to a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote which diverted to Porto in April last year.

Ryanair contends the passenger’s behaviour caused the diversion.

It said the €15,000 consists of costs such as overnight accommodation for the more than 160 passengers and six crew members (€7,000), Porto Airport landing and handling fees (€2,500) and Portuguese legal fees (€2,500).

Close
81 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Beirne
    Favourite Joe Beirne
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:36 AM

    So they can spend more buying booze from them on the flight

    387
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thomas molloy
    Favourite thomas molloy
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:57 AM

    @Joe Beirne: Safety of others passengers, crew and integrity of flight plan and safety landing slots. The risk to the optimum balance of plane will also not been dealt with until an accident happens. Luggage is weighed without question.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave C
    Favourite Dave C
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:05 PM

    @thomas molloy: Wha?

    122
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gaelactico
    Favourite Gaelactico
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:00 PM

    @Dave C: I’ve been on 2 flights (by invitation) where passengers were offloaded because the weight threshold had had been exceeded.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shelley Keary
    Favourite Shelley Keary
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:06 PM

    @Joe Beirne: did you actually read the article? Obviously not

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute barry williams
    Favourite barry williams
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:31 PM

    @thomas molloy: bit early to be drinking

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute hans vos
    Favourite hans vos
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:56 PM

    @Joe Beirne: They where only genuine if they don’t serve alcohol on the flight. Now it’s only free advertising for Michel o Leary.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Doe
    Favourite John Doe
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 4:14 PM

    @Joe Beirne: Just bar offending passengers from future flights. Job done.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Dermody
    Favourite Jack Dermody
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 4:35 PM

    @Joe Beirne: Got to Laugh
    “We fail to understand why passengers at airports are not limited to two alcoholic drinks….” – Ryanair

    It is about money, Airport wants to make it, just like ryanair.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dominic Leleu
    Favourite Dominic Leleu
    Report
    Jan 14th 2025, 7:47 AM

    @Joe Beirne: may be we should plead a lot on their practice as well

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger Whelan
    Favourite Ger Whelan
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:42 AM

    Ryanair imposes limits on alcohol sales on flights? Since when, any Ryanair flight I’ve ever been on I’ve never heard of anyone being refused alcohol. Most I’ve ever heard is they were sold out of a specific drink and offered the passenger a similar alcoholic drink. How about you ban the sale of Alcoholic drinks on you’re planes Michael. Lead by example and show others how it should be done. Wouldn’t that be better?

    368
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Kennedy
    Favourite Philip Kennedy
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:07 PM

    @Ger Whelan: whatever you say.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Symon
    Favourite Symon
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:12 PM

    @Ger Whelan: * your

    19
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger Whelan
    Favourite Ger Whelan
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:24 PM

    @Philip Kennedy: I do say from my own experiences of flying with Ryanair. If you have experienced anything different feel free to share it.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Kennedy
    Favourite Philip Kennedy
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:36 PM

    @Ger Whelan: Thank you I will share. I never saw a drunk person being served alcohol on a ryanair flight. How’s that.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger Whelan
    Favourite Ger Whelan
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:40 PM

    @Philip Kennedy: That’s your experience. I’ve had a different experience. But the question remains what hasn’t Michael O’Leary banned alcohol from his flights?. Wouldn’t it make more of a statement for him to ban alcohol altogether where he can’t before asking others to limit the sale of Alcohol?

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Me Me
    Favourite Me Me
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 3:21 PM

    @Philip Kennedy: Ditto.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin O Donovan
    Favourite Kevin O Donovan
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:45 AM

    Why does Ryanair not limit their drinks during flights.Maybe the solution is to ban all alcohol drinks during flights.

    211
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute another one? what's going on is the semi state sec
    Favourite another one? what's going on is the semi state sec
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:32 PM

    @Kevin O Donovan: Won’t happen. Revenue loss for the low cost airlines….. Others shouldn’t have to suffer for the bad behavior of a small number…… Hopefully fines and threat of recovering the costs will work.

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patricia Mc namara
    Favourite Patricia Mc namara
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:47 AM

    Alcohol should not be sold at airports.

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimbo
    Favourite Jimbo
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:26 PM

    @Patricia Mc namara: some people have a fear of flying and few drinks helps with anxiety plus I don’t see why everyone should be punished because of a small handful of people who cannot handle there liquor

    164
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian
    Favourite Ian
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:35 PM

    @Patricia Mc namara: Oh piss off.

    88
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Hunt
    Favourite Brian Hunt
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:07 PM

    @Jimbo: In that case, they could bring a small amount with them!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marc McDonald
    Favourite Marc McDonald
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:10 PM

    @Jimbo: maybe the nervous or anxious flyers could use CBD or another canninabinoid prior to departure?
    A recent systematic review found both clinical and preclinical studies supporting the use of CBD in reducing anxiety levels!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patricia Mc namara
    Favourite Patricia Mc namara
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:34 PM

    @Ian: did you manage to construct and spell that sentence all on your own, boyo.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luan Willis
    Favourite Luan Willis
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 3:41 PM

    @Jimbo: *their

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J B
    Favourite J B
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:41 AM

    Money saved at bar you can spend on scratch cards on board.

    120
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sergio Reddan
    Favourite Sergio Reddan
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:19 PM

    @J B: does anyone know what % of the scratch card sale actually goes to the charity ?

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Kearney
    Favourite Gary Kearney
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:28 PM

    @J B: I point blank refuse to buy any of the Ryanair overpriced merchandise, I being my own water and never give them money for any of there overpriced products!

    63
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J B
    Favourite J B
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:36 PM

    @Sergio Reddan: minimal most definitely,,ryanair only do it for tax purposes.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Machine Learning IRE
    Favourite Machine Learning IRE
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:56 PM

    @Sergio Reddan: 1%

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Symon
    Favourite Symon
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 3:07 PM

    @J B: for real? Never thought that cu.nt would be so low.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul
    Favourite Paul
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 3:20 PM

    @Sergio Reddan: about 1%

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David S
    Favourite David S
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 5:55 PM

    @J B: Bought a load of those scratch cards on a flight. Wouldn’t have done it if I was sober. I was mad drunk.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bomber
    Favourite Bomber
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:57 AM

    Maybe if Ryanair is on time on their flights it might make passengers buy less booze at the airport bars.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Don Denar
    Favourite Don Denar
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:54 AM

    Funny, so Ryanair wants to cut serving booze on the airport and let them drink when in the airplane?
    if they see someone intoxicated they can refuse boarding instead, but they won’t do it because they don’t want to be liable for possible civil cases, and complaints.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Temp Stuff
    Favourite Temp Stuff
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:06 PM

    Ryanair excel at FREE ADVERTISMENT! Only one thing worse than being talked about, is not being talked about.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig O'Brien
    Favourite Padraig O'Brien
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:00 PM

    It’s the usual knee jerk reaction. Punish everyone because of bad behaviour by a few.
    I’d prefer to see the few punished severely!

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laois Weather
    Favourite Laois Weather
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:23 PM

    @Padraig O’Brien: Absolutely. Punishment should be – here’s a parachute and out the tail gate with them.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Mc
    Favourite Ronan Mc
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:24 PM

    Anyone having more than 2 pints in departures needs to take a long, hard look at themselves.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger Whelan
    Favourite Ger Whelan
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:27 PM

    @Ronan Mc: why?

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Kearney
    Favourite Gary Kearney
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:32 PM

    @Ronan Mc: Depending on the length of the flight I have a few beers before I fly, relaxing and chilling out.
    the only people I have seen cause trouble on a plane bring there own duty free on board and drink it.

    26
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Symon
    Favourite Symon
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:35 PM

    @Gary Kearney: * their

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Meade
    Favourite John Meade
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:02 PM

    Won’t happen, why should a bar cut off a customer, ryanair should stick to its own business and leave the pubs to run themselves.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Symon
    Favourite Symon
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:14 PM

    @John Meade: the anti social behaviour happens mostly on Ryanair as they p.ss off the passengers with the silly rules, so a form of retaliation; also because mostly riff raff use Ryanair.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Kearney
    Favourite Gary Kearney
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:30 PM

    @Symon: Sadly sometimes there is no option but to use them!
    Tghey are the only airline flying to the place you need to go!

    22
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger Whelan
    Favourite Ger Whelan
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:03 PM

    @Symon: If a passenger doesn’t understand the rules of Ryanair that’s on them not the airline. If you want to fly with them follow their rules like you would with any other airline. It’s not hard and it’ll make everyone’s life a lot easier.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Symon
    Favourite Symon
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:34 PM

    @Ger Whelan: don’t disagree with you at all. But it’s usually the people who don’t comply as a principle that are the ones causing trouble, hence riff raff.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rui Firmino
    Favourite Rui Firmino
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:56 AM

    Sure. They expect them to voluntarily sell less and make less money just because Ryanair says so?

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bill Fitz
    Favourite Bill Fitz
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:29 PM

    What about ryanair staff cutting of drink to their passengers during flights.there seem to be no end to it during flights..but then again it would cost ryain air the profits they make on them if they did

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute keith fay
    Favourite keith fay
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:32 PM

    Ryanair is ‘begging’? What a bizarre choice of words.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Setanta O'Toole
    Favourite Setanta O'Toole
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:52 PM

    I never go over two pre-flight, because I don’t want to be dying for a slash queuing and waiting to take off.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colonel Gaddafi
    Favourite Colonel Gaddafi
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:51 AM

    Drink as much as I like all day at airport

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael lynam
    Favourite Michael lynam
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 11:54 AM

    @Colonel Gaddafi: Nutter

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimbo
    Favourite Jimbo
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:23 PM

    Why should the masses be punished because of a few people who can’t handle there alcohol

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus Enright
    Favourite Seamus Enright
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:13 PM

    Airport Bars should accept this but then introduce a “priority lane” where you can pay an extra €10 to drink as much as you want.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AnthonyK
    Favourite AnthonyK
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:31 PM

    Just ban pubs from the airport.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave clarke
    Favourite dave clarke
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:05 PM

    Ryanair cabin crew rely on onboard sales commission to make up for the lousy salary they get paid

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Setanta O'Toole
    Favourite Setanta O'Toole
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:01 PM

    Terminal 3 in manchester Airport was the worst drinking i’ve ever seen in an airport. There is barely seats in there. Just english lads skulling peroni.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Raymond Gilbourne
    Favourite Raymond Gilbourne
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 5:01 PM

    Cut off after two pints?
    It’s not as if I’m flying the plane, is it?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alberto Balsam
    Favourite Alberto Balsam
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:18 PM

    Airport pints are slop anyway. Arguably the worst poured pint of Guinness in the Country.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamon De Valera
    Favourite Eamon De Valera
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:21 PM

    I’ll drink as much as I like Mr o Leary

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David S
    Favourite David S
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 5:57 PM

    The price of drink at the airports. 2 drinks would pay for the flight.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute 4g4mPnNi
    Favourite 4g4mPnNi
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:32 PM

    A simpler, sensible and easily workable solution would be to extend the driving alcohol and drug limits to EU airside passengers.
    Passenger notices dipso (very obvious in my experience) at check-in or boarding cue, report it to attendant and attendant passes it on to airport police for testing, all done before flight, preventing delays. These tests only take 10 minutes or less. Fines for failed test to cover completely the cost of implementing the service.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vincent B
    Favourite Vincent B
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 1:16 PM

    @4g4mPnNi: how is that sensible? The huge majority of people who might have 2-3 pints cause no trouble at all and yet they’re over the drink driving limit. Punish the fools who cause trouble and make them pay for the costs of diverting the plane and the message will get out.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darth O'Leary
    Favourite Darth O'Leary
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:32 PM

    Two double Black Russians in pint glasses would probably get me over the line so I’m not seeing any problem with this

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wolfgang Bonow
    Favourite Wolfgang Bonow
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:04 PM

    How could this even work?
    You would need a centralised database for all pubs\facilities serving alcohol on the airport. Otherwise, people would just hop from pub to pub.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Minnie Mouse
    Favourite Minnie Mouse
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 5:23 PM

    More free publicity for Ryanair. Why don’t they just add a mandatory breathylyser test to the existing myriad of conditions one has to accept to fit with Ryanair?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute well done to all the rescue teams
    Favourite well done to all the rescue teams
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 4:29 PM

    Fine all drunk passengers that cause trouble or diversions,they cause much distress to staff and other passengers…fine them big…its a great deterrent…
    also mabye consider 2 drinks per passenger?
    what do others think?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mark mc cann
    Favourite mark mc cann
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 12:59 PM

    Good luck that….with.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Boyle
    Favourite Niall Boyle
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 4:32 PM

    Ah Michael O’Leary, do as I say, not as I do

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roman Walczak Sadlowski
    Favourite Roman Walczak Sadlowski
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 9:33 PM

    Airports don’t give a rats about the flights lol… It’s about screwing us out of our 8 euro for a pint or 5 for a coffee… It’s in their best interests to sell as much as they can.. duty free is only an enticement but the sales of overpriced food and alcohol and so forth is where they make their cash and no cares given.. it’s the same at concerts where you have peddlars selling cans for 10 euro a piece. Michael may as well be talking to a wall, the guys who run these airports are as handy as bankers..

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute socheallaigh
    Favourite socheallaigh
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 2:31 PM

    As far as I’m aware it has never been compulsory to show boarding cards at airport shops unless purchasing duty-free products such as alcohol or tobacco.
    Nontheless retail staff ask for this all the time. Their epos systems do not require this information and you can refuse to give it.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Ridge
    Favourite Martin Ridge
    Report
    Jan 14th 2025, 9:14 AM

    Ban alcohol sales on your planes or refuse to board passengers who are drunk you can play your part to O,Leary.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute S Os
    Favourite S Os
    Report
    Jan 14th 2025, 7:17 AM

    Why don’t Ryanair just stop them getting on the plane if their drunk?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Donnell
    Favourite Cian O Donnell
    Report
    Jan 13th 2025, 10:51 PM

    Would this not constitute interfering in the ‘free market’ though? I thought O Leary hated that?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds