Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, has ignited controversy after urging airports across the UK to ban alcohol sales in departure lounges during early morning hours. His proposal to stop pubs serving beer before flights departs from airports like Stansted has been met with strong resistance from holidaymakers.
Many travellers view a pre-flight pint as a cherished part of their holiday ritual. Speaking to The Guardian, one passenger described it as “the start of the holiday,” explaining, “We don’t get drunk, we just have a pint, say cheers, and off we go.” Another echoed the sentiment, noting, “You wouldn’t be drinking a pint at home at this time of day, but it’s just nice to do something different.”
While acknowledging the concerns, some passengers understand the potential issues caused by intoxicated flyers onboard. “If you were working on the plane and you’ve got people who have had a few drinks, it can be a bit threatening, I guess, so I completely understand,” said one traveller. “But for us, it’s just a drink before boarding to say our holiday starts here.”
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The pre-flight drink also symbolizes a break from the daily routine, providing a “sense of freedom and venturing out” that many holidaymakers cherish. One visitor remarked, “It’s probably the only socially acceptable time you can have a pint before 10am.” They suggested the issue is more about the amount consumed rather than the timing: “I don’t see any harm in having a single pint… If it was seven at night and someone was antisocial, I would also say they shouldn’t be drinking, even though that is a socially acceptable time.”
O’Leary criticises airports for financially benefiting from early morning alcohol sales and contributing to disruptive behaviour on flights. “There should be no alcohol served at airports outside [licensed] hours,” he stated. “Airports have bars open at five or six in the morning and during delays, they sell as much alcohol as they want, knowing they will export the problem to the airlines.”
It’s worth noting that being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence in the UK, punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and up to two years in prison.