Ryanair’s massive new fines for bad passengers

Ryanair lays down the law: €500 fines for bad flight behaviour as airline declares war on drunk brawlers.

Sit down, belt up… or pay up! Ryanair has officially lost its patience with mid-air misbehaviour, slapping a €500 fine on any passenger booted off a flight for bad behaviour. And the low-cost carrier warned: that’s the minimum penalty — with some cases heading straight for the courtroom.

Yes, for those who thought that their cheap holiday flight was a license to booze, shout, or barge their way through the cabin, the jig is up. Ryanair is getting tough, and passengers causing “unnecessary disruption” could now be sued for thousands in damages, not just left red-faced at the gate.

‘Passengers expect to travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment,’ according to Ryanair’s statement, warning that ‘a small number of unruly passengers’ are ruining the experience for everyone else.

The airline, headquartered in Dublin and known for its budget prices and blunt policies, isn’t sugar-coating this one. It’s called the move a “zero tolerance” crackdown and says it’s about protecting crew and customers alike. And they mean business.

A €15,000 statement

In fact, the first signs of turbulence began back in January, when Ryanair made headlines by suing a passenger for €15,000 after an in-flight altercation forced a diversion. That figure included emergency landing costs, hotel bills and compensation for fellow travellers — a sobering price tag for one outburst at 30,000 feet.

Ryanair’s legal team is now circling any disruptive case like a hawk, ready to claw back damages wherever possible. And it’s not just about what happens in the sky — the airline says many flare-ups start before takeoff.

Two drink limit or grounded?

CEO Michael O’Leary, never one to mince his words has been banging the drum for airport alcohol restrictions, suggesting that passengers should be limited to two drinks per boarding pass to curb drunken disruptions on popular holiday routes.

‘The rise in violent incidents is no coincidence,’ O’Leary warned in August 2024, blaming long airport delays and bottomless pints for fuelling mid-flight mayhem.

His solution? A booze ration at the bar, and less time for punters to neck six lagers before boarding. Whether airport authorities will back that remains to be seen — but with peak holiday season approaching, the pressure is mounting.

Tight cabin, tighter rules

While Ryanair admits the incidents are still “isolated,” the airline stressed that a plane cabin is no place for chaos. With passengers crammed elbow-to-elbow and tempers rising faster than the aircraft, even a single rowdy traveller can cause serious disruption.

‘Disruptive behaviour in such a confined space is unacceptable,’ said a Ryanair spokesperson. ‘We hope our proactive strategy will deter future incidents.’

So whether you’re off to Alicante or heading home from a stag do in Kraków, Ryanair wants you sober, seated, and silent — or you could be facing a bill bigger than your entire holiday.

We all love a bargain flight, but if you treat the cabin like a pub, expect the bar tab to include €500 fines and legal fees. O’Leary’s message is loud and clear: don’t turn rowdy, or Ryanair will turn legal.

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