Michael O’Leary wants to crackdown on the 5am airport pint – but his recent comments have sparked a fiery debate among Independent readers.

While in our community some said Britain’s binge-drinking culture has spiralled out of control, others accused airlines of profiting from the very behaviour they now condemn.

Reacting to Imogen West-Knights’ piece admitting she judges early morning airport drinkers, readers shared horror stories of drunken rows, disruptive flights and “lairy” passengers stumbling through airports before sunrise.

Several agreed with O’Leary that alcohol-fuelled behaviour on planes is getting worse, with some arguing British tourists have become infamous abroad for drunken “yobbery”.

Many backed tougher penalties, saying airlines should refuse boarding to disruptive passengers and force those responsible for delays or diversions to cover the costs themselves. But others said Ryanair had little right to lecture passengers while continuing to serve alcohol on board – with one reader recalling cabin crew repeatedly selling wine to visibly drunk travellers.

Not everyone was ready to ditch the pre-flight pint, however. Some argued the real problem is aggressive behaviour, not alcohol itself, while others pointed out that for passengers in transit across time zones, a drink at 5am may feel perfectly normal.

Here’s what you had to say:

Britain’s drinking culture is the real issue

It needs to be borne in mind that we have an awful problem with booze in this country generally. Pubs aren’t supposed to serve people who are obviously drunk any more drinks, yet that rule is never adhered to anywhere in my experience, and I’ve been guilty myself both as a customer and a barman in the past. My bosses would have been furious if I’d refused anyone in the latter situation anyway, as it would have reduced the day’s takings. To serve alcohol to anybody who already seems clearly drunk on an aeroplane is just madness due to the safety issues.

Our drinking culture is infamous around Europe too. I lived in Rome for about four years in the 2000s, and the only punch-ups I ever saw in that time were between or involving drunken Brits. It was really embarrassing if something like that happened while I was out with Italian friends, as they found it appalling. Other countries on the continent view that kind of yobbery in the same way, and it demonstrates a lack of respect for other cultures as much as anything else.

antmanbee

Some drunks are merry, others aggressive

I have been known to have far too much to drink. When I do, I get very talkative (generally spouting rubbish). Then I fall asleep. I don’t get aggressive. I am what you might call a merry old drunkard. Sadly, some people get very aggressive. Some people are aggressive and intrusive even when sober. The question is about behaviour, not whether someone has had a drink.

Passengers should be forced to accept the consequences of their own behaviour. If someone is drunk and causes a flight to be delayed or diverted, they should be forced to fund the entire cost, so all the other passengers get a compensation payment. The landing fees, the extra time on the apron, the fuel wasted, any hotel expenses arising from late arrival, any costs from missed flight plans – just a few cases costing tens of thousands and well publicised would get the message across.

TomHawk

Unforgettable airport sight

Seeing drunk, aggressive men in nothing but see-through babydoll nighties, thongs and high heels at 7am was an unforgettable experience. I’m just glad they weren’t on my flight out of Luton that day. I’m not sure if they were even allowed to board an aeroplane. Who thinks this sort of thing is appropriate?

Gixer

Hold my nose and fly

I’d agree with O’Leary if it wasn’t for the fact that he’s a complete and utter hypocrite.

I was on a Ryanair flight to the Canaries recently and – despite them being legless and disrupting the flight – cabin crew continued to serve a group of about eight guys. One was so drunk his friend had to order for him, and they weren’t drinking beer. They were getting two small bottles of rosé wine each and drinking them with ice. Over the course of four hours, they must’ve consumed the equivalent of three full-size bottles of wine each.

This wasn’t an isolated incident either. I’ve seen the same thing many times when I’ve had to hold my nose and fly with his shower of an airline.

InnocentBystander

Behaviour matters more than alcohol

Airlines should just refuse boarding to anyone who cannot behave themselves, irrespective of whether they have consumed any alcohol.

But then O’Leary should not be serving alcohol on the aeroplane either if he thinks that is what leads to dangerous drunken behaviour.

YetAnotherName

Time zones matter too

There’s also the case of people in transit, for whom five in the morning might feel like lunchtime.

It’s not fair that they should be punished because a few others overdo things.

Epaminondas

Long Island iced teas before flights

Personally, I find three or four Long Island iced teas with a plate of scrambled eggs on toast far better for morning flights…! I then get on the plane and pass out for four to eight hours, and life’s grand!

SpendThrifty

Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.

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