Study: Ryanair Leads in Booze, Mayhem

Research by UK consumer group Which? indicates that one in ten airline travelers have been subjected to bad behavior during the course of their travels this year. Many incidents of aggression appear to be fueled by alcohol, with 17 percent of Ryanair passengers experiencing some kind of disruption.

According to research by UK consumer group Which?, one in ten airline travelers have been subjected to poor behavior while flying this year. While shouting and rudeness appear to be a common phenomenon, the results of this research also indicates that “there were also incidents of frightening violence,” some of which appear to be fueled by alcohol.

Because of the increase in these kinds of incidents, Which? reports that some carriers – including Ryanair and EasyJet – are now seeking to restrict the sale of alcohol at airports. However, despite calls for stricter controls on the availability of alcohol on the ground, the study by the consumer group reveals that in-flight sales of alcohol show no sign of wavering.

While airports and airlines may not be in agreement over the handling or root cause of alcohol-related incidents, Richard Stephenson, the director of the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), told Which? that, “Passengers need to know they will face the full weight of the law should they be found guilty of disorderly behavior.”

When it comes to ranking poor behavior in the cabin, Which? results show that 17 percent of Ryanair passengers have been subjected to aggressive or unruly incidents. For those traveling on Thomas Cook and Tui, this figure dropped to 15 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

At the lower end, just five percent of Norwegian and Flybe passengers experienced aggressive behavior while flying with these carriers in the last year.

The full results of the survey are available to view here. According to the Daily Mail, this study involved a sample size of 7,901 Which? Travel members.

Offering his insight to the outlet, Rory Boland, Which? Travel editor, said, “People should be able to take a flight without having to worry about their trip being disrupted or journey diverted by rowdy passengers who have had one too many.”

[Photo: Shutterstock]