Should airlines prohibit the consumption of alcohol due to incidents of intoxicated passengers causing disruptions onboard?

There have been two recent altercations on Ryanair flights from Edinburgh to Tenerife, bringing attention to the issue of drunken behavior on planes. In the first incident, the offenders were detained by Spanish authorities upon reaching the Canary Islands. In the second incident, the flight from Edinburgh was redirected to Porto, Portugal to remove the problematic passengers.

Numerous travelers on various flights have expressed their frightening experience as chaos broke out in a small space.

According to the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA), “air rage” poses a threat to the safety of both passengers and crew. They state that any type of disruptive or violent behavior, whether caused by intoxication, aggression, or other factors, adds unnecessary risk to the proper functioning of a flight.

A considerable number of these occurrences are instigated by excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Being intoxicated and causing disturbance diverts the crew’s attention from their usual safety responsibilities. Additionally, it poses a potential danger during a crisis evacuation, as every passenger needs to be alert and calm.

Amy Leversidge, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa), told The Independent: “These sorts of things are really distracting to the cabin crew and the pilots. There’s lots more that could be done to make sure that there’s a good culture and good behaviours on the flight.”

How severe is the issue and what are the potential remedies? These are the main inquiries and responses.

EASA states that in a year, 1,000 flights are put at risk by disruptive passengers. This equates to an average of three incidents per day. On a monthly basis, there is one emergency landing as a result of unruly behaviour.

Each occurrence is unique, however, many involve the use of alcohol as a contributing factor. The prohibition on smoking and vaping, in addition to the apprehensions some individuals experience about flying, can add to the stress of a traveler. Alcohol is frequently viewed as a substitute.

A disruptive traveller usually enters an airplane after having indulged in multiple drinks and continues to drink more on the flight – either provided by the cabin crew or secretly sipped from duty-free bottles. Drug use may worsen their behavior. This person can then become noisy and confrontational, potentially making threats towards the cabin crew and fellow passengers.

It is not permissible to fly while under the influence of alcohol on an aircraft: you are prohibited from boarding a plane if you are inebriated, and you may not consume excessive amounts of alcohol during the flight.

In the UK, the highest punishment according to the law is a fine of £5,000 and a potential prison sentence of two years. If the offender is convicted of “endangering the safety of an aircraft,” the maximum jail time could be up to five years.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, airlines have the authority to deny boarding to passengers who are deemed a potential threat to the safety of the aircraft, the crew, or other passengers.

However, this doesn’t prevent a considerable number of individuals from consuming alcohol before and during their flights, even after consuming several drinks before boarding the plane.

In the United Kingdom and other countries, it is possible to consume alcohol upon arrival at an airport. Most British airports have bars that are open on both sides of the security check, from early morning until the final flight departs.

A majority of travelers see enjoying a beverage while awaiting their potentially delayed flight as a crucial aspect of their vacation.

The airport hospitality industry is pleased with the increase in spending, as are airports, who receive a significant portion of the revenue and utilize it to maintain lower passenger fees.

There is a growing trend for travelers to pay a set price for access to an airport lounge with unlimited alcohol availability. Some vacation companies are also offering “complimentary” lounge entry to their customers.

Furthermore, tax-free purchases, specifically of small bottles of vodka, whisky, or gin, can offer an extra source of alcohol, at least for those who disregard the condition that they must be taken out of the country unaltered to reach their intended location.

After boarding the plane, passengers are usually given the option to receive complimentary beverages from the flight attendants or to purchase them.

Unfortunately, that is not permitted according to the regulations of most airlines.

Jet2 has been actively addressing unruly behavior caused by alcohol on its flights. The company states that bringing alcohol on board for consumption during the flight is prohibited. Only alcoholic beverages purchased on the flight are allowed to be consumed. While not officially a law, this is considered a directive from the captain and all passengers are expected to comply.

Certain airlines have allowed for a special circumstance. For instance, in the past Royal Brunei has actively encouraged travelers to bring their own alcohol on the flight, and the cabin crew would provide mixers for passengers upon request.

A member of the flight crew for a low-cost airline emphasized that it’s important for passengers to realize that drinking excessively in the airport will not make for a successful beginning to their vacation.

Ground staff at the departure gate have the authority to administer a breath test to passengers who may have consumed more alcohol than the legal limit for driving in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is approximately equivalent to two pints of beer, two glasses of wine, or two double measures of spirits for men (and less for women). This limit is considered reasonable for passengers.

After boarding, there may be stricter monitoring of alcohol consumption – however, cabin crew tasks are already demanding.

In order to prevent passengers from sneaking their own alcohol onto a flight, duty-free drinks could be packaged in a “security tamper evident bag” (commonly referred to as a “Steb”). This would make it more difficult for passengers to open and consume the alcohol during the flight. Additionally, there could be a check at the end of the flight to identify individuals who have broken the seals.

One way to persuade others effectively is to use examples of individuals who cause problems, such as taking legal action against them for the expenses incurred from a diversion. According to the CAA, the average costs for diversions can vary from £10,000 to £80,000 depending on the size of the aircraft and its destination.

In the future, there may be a ban on alcohol in airports or on airplanes. This decision would likely not be well-received, as many people, including myself, enjoy having a drink while waiting for a flight or during the flight. There is a general belief that consuming alcohol in moderation is acceptable and that most individuals can still behave properly after having a few drinks.

Smoking was previously allowed, even on flights. In the late 1980s, British Airways even distributed cigars to Concorde passengers after meals.

BA started banning smoking on its flights in 1990, and by the end of the 20th century the habit was banned more or less globally. The habit is now regarded as entirely unacceptable.

Views can change swiftly – and, heaven forbid, were there to be a fatal incident involving drink-fuelled air rage, calls for a ban will increase.

Many airlines have a strict policy against serving or allowing alcohol on their flights. According to the national airline of Saudi Arabia, Saudia, passengers are not permitted to consume or carry alcoholic drinks during their flights.

Egyptair has a more opaque policy, saying: “You are not allowed to consume alcohol onboard our aircraft (whether purchased as duty free from us or someone else or otherwise obtained) unless it has been served to you by us.”

Drinking alcohol or having an open alcoholic beverage is prohibited on ScotRail and at Scottish stations; on trains and buses in Northern Ireland; and on public transportation in London.

In 2020, ScotRail implemented a restriction on alcohol consumption due to reports from staff about a large number of intoxicated passengers disregarding Covid regulations. Despite the passing of forty months, the ban remains in effect.

The consumption of alcohol is prohibited at all stations in Scotland and on ScotRail trains. Passengers are not allowed to visibly carry alcohol, but it may be transported in a concealed bag.

Some trains in Scotland and services in England and Wales have restrictions on alcohol consumption, especially during significant sports events.

The 9:52am train leaving from Aberdeen to Newcastle on Fridays, operated by LNER, has been highlighted for special consideration. According to the train operator, there will likely be a significant number of large groups on this train. To ensure a positive experience for all passengers, an alcohol-free policy will be enforced for a portion of the journey.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be brought onto or bought on our trains at any stops between Aberdeen and Newcastle.

Travelers considering sneaking alcohol onto the plane should take note: they may be subject to a search before being allowed to board.

Listen to Amy Leversidge, general secretary of the pilots’ union, Balpa, talking to Simon Calder

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