Ryanair wants to limit passengers’ alcohol consumption. The airline is proposing a two-drink cap at airport bars, echoing CEO Michael O’Leary’s comments.
“We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink, but we don’t allow people to drink-drive –– yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet,” O’Leary told The Telegraph. He believes stricter alcohol limits at airports could help prevent mid-air incidents.
Not everyone agrees with Ryanair’s stance, including a former Ryanair pilot. Still, the airline wants to take a hardline approach.
The cost of unruly passengers
Last week, Ryanair filed a legal claim against a passenger whose disruptive behavior delayed a flight overnight. The incident cost the airline more than $15,000 in accommodation expenses.
According to FAA data, there were nearly 6,000 unruly passenger reports in 2021. While that number dropped to 2,100 in 2024, O’Leary insists alcohol restrictions could reduce it further.
Legal consequences for passengers
Ireland-based Ryanair already limits alcoholic drinks on its flights. Under Irish law, passengers who “breach the peace” can face fines or even imprisonment.
The debate over airport alcohol limits continues, but Ryanair remains steadfast. For the airline, smoother skies may depend on keeping pre-flight drinks to a minimum.
