Ryanair proposes a two-drink limit at airport bars to prevent unruly passenger behavior. Their CEO believes this could curb disruptions.

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Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer

Lifestyle

Ryanair proposes 2-drink limit at airports to tackle unruly passengers

Jan 14

Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer

By Kennedy Felton (Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

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.

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“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.

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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.

Tags: Airlines, Airport, Alcohol, Europe, Federal Aviation Administration, Ireland, Plane, Travel

[KENNEDY FELTON]

“I’m excited, I’m relaxed, and I’m ready to party!” This very scene from “Bridesmaids” is likely Ryanair’s worst nightmare.

That’s because Europe’s biggest airline is once again pushing for a two-drink limit at airport bars per Manchester Evening News, hoping to keep those pre-flight party vibes in check.

Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, has been advocating for this policy for months. He told The Telegraph last year, “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.”

Not everyone agrees with O’Leary’s stance, including a former Ryanair pilot talking to The Telegraph. But the airline is attempting to take a hardline approach. Just last week, Ryanair filed a legal claim against a passenger who disrupted a flight last year, resulting in an overnight delay for passengers and flight crew. The incident cost the airline more than 15,000 U.S. dollars in accommodation expenses.

The FAA received nearly 6,000 unruly passenger reports in 2021. While that number dropped to 2,100 last year, O’Leary believes limiting alcohol sales before boarding can help reduce it even further.

Ireland-based Ryanair already limits the number of alcoholic drinks per passenger on its flights. And under Irish law, passengers who breach the peace on flights face fines and, in some cases, imprisonment.

Ryanair proposes 2-drink limit at airports to tackle unruly passengers

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The cost of unruly passengers

Legal consequences for passengers

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