Ryanair is known for sometimes having rowdy passengers who are looking to party. After all, it’s Europe’s largest airline, and it operates lots of leisure routes. The airline is hoping to minimize drama on some popular flights this summer, by limiting the alcohol passengers can bring onboard.
Continue reading: Ryanair Bans Duty Free Alcohol On Spain Flights, Will Search Bags
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Interesting. I've flown Ryanair several times while in Europe. Not fancy but it does the job of getting you from A to B without breaking the bank.
I recall from a few years ago that Ryanair stopped selling onboard alcohol on some of its UK-Ibiza flights, if that's still the case, the cannibalization argument would not make sense anymore. It would rather just be to avoid any disturbances inflight and to provide everyone with a better CEX.
It's a serious issue unfortunately , the cause of many delay and diversions. Seems worse since COVID although alcohol has been banned by Ryanair before on Ibiza flights for quite a few years
So I don't think they're bluffing although how much enforcement there will actually be I'm sure will be a mixed bag
How are we doing with the reviews Ben?
I am pretty keen to read the ones from your trip with your dad.
There is a certain demographic that flies these routes and can often result in trouble. Just google Manchester and plane disturbance and alcohol.
I think saying that Ryan is takin “drastic measures” is a strong statement don’t you think? What a rational thing for the airline to do.
Likewise. Usually fairly short international routes - like Spain to Italy or similar. Those routes are perfectly fine and meet my (admittedly low) expectations. But as another commenter mentioned...certain routes cater to certain demographics that make that route unflyable. I've never been to Manchester (and really no desire to go) but I think I'd still head to LCY or Gatwick as opposed to risking a diversion, cancellation, or some sort of injury because I'm on a plane full of hooligans. I live in Spain half-time and we see that exact demographic in Barcelona ALL THE TIME. Whether it's some footy final or the Rugby Sevens or something else that speaks to rowdy drunkards, they're out in full force - peeing and vomiting everywhere and getting in fights.
Good policy. It respects the rights of the non-binge drinking passengers from the abuse of the drunks.
This has nothing to do with Spain but with the UK. Whenever you have UK people flying you should ban alcohol. They are the rudest and most obnoxious drunk people you can find. Their addiction to alcohol and to get hammered is like no other I have ever seen.
Is a 5 year old news being quoted here? https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/ryanair-has-no-plans-to-change-stricter-alcohol-rules-for-alicante-and-ibiza-flights-15304
Asking because there is already a denial being reported here - https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/read-this/ryanair-denies-banning-duty-free-alcohol-on-flights-from-uk-to-ibiza-after-series-of-anti-social-incidents-4182867
It's funny how everyone talks about "Spanish flights" when in reality it's only "UK-Spanish flights". No such rule seem to be introduced on flights between Spain and the EU/rest of Europe.
Anyway, yet another reason to not fly with them. I never bring my alcohol on board, if I buy something, it's always in my checked bag, but I don't fancy having my bag searched at gate *again*.
When you encourage the dregs of society to fly with you for a dirt cheap fare you should expect the behavior of a typical 11 year old.
A few years ago I flew from Manchester (it's actually a great city) to Madrid on Ryanair and at the gate to my flight was a Ryanair flight to Malaga. My gate was quiet and orderly, they didn't check anyone's bags for sizes and the flight was as pleasant as can be on RY. The Malaga flight gate by contrast... was embarrassing.
Given the comparative expense of flying to the coast over an inland city, I'd rather fly to Madrid or Seville and catch a cheap AVE train if it meant avoiding the rowdy idiots.
Alcohol should not be sold in airports or on airplanes. Too many intoxicated paxs. We survived without alcohol sales during Covid and we can survive a flight for a few hours without a drink.
Have you ever been on a friday night flight to LAS, doubt it is much different.
Enforcement costs money and staff time, with no additional revenue. This is something RyanAir does not do unless there are ancillary fees to be gained.
Sounds to me like you can get a discounted checked bag for whatever the cheapest bottle of liquor at duty-free is now.
Not a good policy. That's not the reason people are rowdy on this airline. They should focus on enforcing not opening the duty free items on board instead. They should look at other airlines and determine why people follow the rules there. Consider you bought a BOTTLE of alcohol so you will consume the entire bottle in flight, that's a bit much!
Enforcing this policy, though depends on other factors. If the staffs give you your duty free items at the gate, for example, then it could be easier to enforce. If they could work with the duty free shop to not allow the sale that would be a solution, but the shop has no incentive to agree!
As many other commenters have stated, your headline is misleading. The real issue is UK passengers travelling to Spain (or many other Southern locations for that matter). Nothing to do with "Spanish" or Spai for that matter.
You should update it accordingly from "Spanish flights" to "UK-originating flights to Spain" or something along those lines...
Given how Ryan boarding process works (they board you and put you to the hold area or make you wait in a staircase) i do not think any enforcement would have an impact on turnaround time. It would require more heads at the airport staff.
Firstly, the price of alcohol in Spain is way cheaper than in UK Duty Free Stores or on board inbound Aircraft Sales. Nobody in their right mind would buy over expensive Duty Free liquor en route to Spain. Local Spanish prices in bars or shops are much cheaper, so Ryanair have a valid case here because only those on a mission to get drunk on board would be stupid enough to buy in a UK Airport.