Ryanair Takes Legal Action Against Disruptive Passenger

In a recent incident that caused a 40-minute delay and disturbance to 137 passengers, Ryanair is not taking things lying down. The low-cost carrier has decided to pursue a private criminal prosecution against the disruptive passenger responsible for the commotion. According to a Ryanair spokesperson, the behavior exhibited by the passenger was deemed "inexcusable" after having to be removed from the flight by the Guardia Civil.

The disruptive passenger, who allegedly identified himself as a UN diplomat with "diplomatic immunity," attempted to take a seat that was not assigned to him on January 17, 2024. His refusal to comply and subsequent verbal abuse towards the crew when asked for his boarding card didn't sit well with the airline.

The legal battle is set to unfold in the Spanish courts, with potential consequences for the passenger involving a prison sentence ranging from three to 12 months or a substantial fine equivalent to six to 18 months of their salary, as per Ryanair. This move aligns with Ryanair's tough stance on unruly passengers, a sentiment echoed by their CEO, Michael O'Leary, who has been vocal about the disruptions caused by such behavior.

“It is unacceptable that passengers, many of whom are on a family holiday, are suffering unnecessary delays due to the actions of one unruly individual. This unfortunate incident occurred during a flight from Lanzarote to Santiago in January, where a disruptive passenger caused a departure delay with his misconduct,” remarked the Ryanair spokesperson. The hope is that by holding such offenders accountable, future instances of disruptive behavior will be deterred, ensuring a comfortable and respectful environment for all passengers and crew.

In a separate endeavor to recoup costs incurred during a diversion, Ryanair pursued civil proceedings against another disruptive passenger back in January 2025. The airline claims the diversion led to expenses amounting to €15,350 ($15,670). This proactive approach by Ryanair serves as a strong message that disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, putting the safety and comfort of passengers and crew at the forefront of the flying experience.