A seemingly ordinary Ryanair flight from London-Luton to Alicante turned into a nightmare last Friday, when a heavily intoxicated British passenger attempted to open an emergency exit mid-flight.
The dramatic incident led to an unscheduled landing in Toulouse, France, and the arrest of several unruly men from a stag party.
Authorities are now investigating the situation, with the main accused facing up to five years in prison for endangering the safety of an aircraft.
Stag Party Turns Violent on Board
The trouble reportedly began with a group of drunken men who had been disruptive even before take-off.
Cabin crew and fellow passengers attempted to calm them, with parents asking them to moderate their language around children. Despite these efforts, tensions escalated rapidly.
According to witnesses, the main accused was positioned next to an emergency door and made a terrifying attempt to open it while mid-flight, leaving the pilot with no option but to divert the plane to Toulouse.
Elite Police Step In at Toulouse Airport
Upon landing, a unit from the Air Transport Gendarmerie Company (CGTA) was waiting to intercept the flight.
Four officers restrained and handcuffed the main suspect while several of his friends were also removed and arrested.
The accused, described as “very drunk,” was held in a Border Police cell until sober enough to be questioned.
Investigators say the principal man now faces a judicial inquiry and could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.
CGTA commander Ludovic Fornari praised the “extreme professionalism” of the police teams involved in the operation.
Shocking Passenger Accounts of Disruption
Passengers described a chaotic scene that unfolded as the men ignored safety instructions and continued to drink duty-free alcohol.
Tania Nichols, who captured the arrests on TikTok, said the group had been “loud and unruly” and moving around the cabin before the flight even left London.
She added that one man attempted to harass a fellow passenger before being moved back to his seat, and fights broke out between members of the group.
Some even spat on seats or put their feet on other passengers’ headrests, with one woman reportedly kicked in the head.
Children and Families Caught in the Middle
The incident was especially distressing for families onboard. Several parents were vocal about the inappropriate behavior around young children.
Witnesses say cabin crew worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe and maintain order despite the extreme disruption.
One passenger described the scene as “terrifying for everybody on board” and highlighted the professionalism of the crew throughout the ordeal.
Ryanair’s Response and Wider Concerns
Ryanair released a statement confirming the flight was diverted due to disruptive passengers and praised the crew and police for managing the situation.
The airline reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for unruly behavior.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has long expressed frustration with drunk passengers, advocating for airport bars to limit sales to two drinks per person.
Rising Trend of Unruly Passengers in Europe
The incident is part of a larger issue across European airlines.
The French Civil Aviation Authority reported 40 drunken passenger incidents per 1,000 flights in 2024, up from 30 in 2021. IATA has also voiced concern over the rising number of in-flight disturbances.
Some airlines, including Delta in the U.S., are even calling for a national blacklist to prevent known offenders from flying.
Legal Consequences for Drunken Behavior on Planes
In France, the maximum sentence for endangering an aircraft is five years in prison and a fine of around £60,000.
Drunkenness on a flight carries a lighter penalty, but serious disturbances, like the one on this Ryanair flight, can result in severe consequences.
UK and French authorities are now investigating all members of the stag party involved in the incident, while the main accused faces the possibility of a trial and a lengthy prison sentence.