We echo recent international news that have sparked an interesting debate on drunkenness on the plane and Breathalysers at the airport. We’ll tell you about it below and would love to know what you think about it!
In-flight altercations have increased considerably
It is not uncommon to read about Drunkenness on the plane and resulting in-flight altercations.
Although there are other reasons as well, a very high percentage of in-flight fights are due to passengers who have had one drink too many, triggering uncivic behaviour.
As a matter of fact, the number of aircraft having to be diverted for passengers with drinking problems has doubled between 2019 and 2026.
In the UK for instance, the number of drunken passenger incidents has tripled in the last five years, according to UK airports. EasyJet and Ryanair were named as the airlines where passengers were disrupted by drunken flyers most often, followed by British Airways, TUI and Jet2.
To give you an idea in numbers, in the year 2025 there were between 200 and 250 binge drinking incidents per quarter, that’s almost three a day. Some 1,500 incidents have been recorded in Spain in 2025, that’s 4 incidents a day.
Why are drunkenness on the plane incidents on the rise?
Largely because there are more delays and longer waits at airports and many passengers are having a drink in the meantime.
It is also true that there are certain destinations in Spain, such as Majorca, which are famous for their drunken tourism.
According to a survey, one in seven tourists travelling to Spain admits to being drunk on the plane.
Many of them drink out of euphoria to get to their holiday destination, to try to calm their nerves about flying or to try to pass the time. Some have already had alcohol at the airport, while others have a drink on board.
For most passengers it is simply a small pleasure on their journey. The problem begins when alcohol triggers aggressive and uncivil behaviour in the confined space of an aircraft.
Many of these altercations have forced pilots to divert the flight to hand over the disruptive passenger to the authorities.
Obviously, having to witness such an unpleasant commotion in the middle of a flight and being diverted to another destination, with the corresponding delay to the start of the holiday is a huge displeasure for passengers.
Nevertheless, airlines didn´t action until now, due to the dramatic increase in diversions and the corresponding costs involved.
Ryanair started to take action
A Ryanair Dublin – Lanzarote flight had to be diverted due to the uncivil behaviour of a passenger. This meant landing in Porto (Portugal) at night and leaving for Lanzarote the following morning.
The airline sued this passenger for the considerable sum of €15,000.
Additionally, on the one hand, the airline is calling for the installation of breathalysers at the airport to put an end to drunks on board. On the other hand, it is calling for limits on alcoholic beverages sold at airports.
The debate is raging, with Europe’s Airports Council International (ACI) responding that the idea would be great if airlines did not serve liquor on board. The breathalyser measure is ineffective if, once on board, travellers still have access to alcohol. The sale of alcohol, by the way, is what airlines profit most from when they are in the air.
In fact, airlines have the right to refuse boarding to any inebriated passenger.
Ryanair bans water bottles on board?
To this dilemma is added a new controversy regarding the alleged rumor about Ryanair banning water bottles on board. A supposed solution with the excuse of avoiding drunk passengers. The reason is that they could be filled with alcohol.
The facts
But considering the above, one may wonder what is the real point if they continue to sell alcohol on board.
Ryanair does not have a formal ban on bringing your own water bottles on board. But the airline’s CEO has previously noted that bags are actively checked for water bottles that are secretly filled with alcohol (like vodka).
- However, the airline strictly enforces baggage allowances. All passengers are allowed one small personal bag (such as a handbag or small backpack) that fits within the dimensions of 40 x 20 x 25cm. Your water bottle must fit entirely inside your luggage. If you clip the bottle to the outside of your bag, or carry it in your hand separately, it is counted as a second item of baggage. If you do not have priority boarding or the extra bag allowance, you may be charged a heavy gate fee (up to €60/£50) to bring it on board.
You can bring a water bottle through airport security, provided it is empty.
Is Drunkenness on a Plane illegal?
Drinking at the airport or even on the plane is not a crime. Many passengers enjoy a little drink after the security check meanwhile they wait in the boarding area.
The Catch
Drinking at the airport is generally legal, but getting drunk is a criminal offense.
Buying and drinking alcohol at airport bars or restaurants is perfectly legal. If you become visibly intoxicated before boarding, gate agents and ground staff legally have the right to deny you boarding. If your drunkenness leads to a public disturbance, you can be arrested for public intoxication.
Duty-Free
You can bring duty-free alcohol through the airport and onto the plane, but it must remain sealed.
The Rules on the Plane
- Serving and Limits: You may only consume alcohol that has been purchased from and served by the cabin crew. Flight attendants are legally obligated to stop serving you if you show signs of intoxication.
- Personal Alcohol: Drinking your own miniature bottles or duty-free alcohol during a flight is strictly prohibited and a violation of federal law.
Legislation varies by country
In many jurisdictions, such as the UK and US, simply being drunk on an aircraft is a strict criminal offense, even if you are not being rowdy.
Spain
In Spain, being intoxicated is not, in itself, a criminal offense. However, violating safety regulations on board, disobeying the captain, or endangering the aircraft is. In Spain, such conduct is subject to both criminal and administrative penalties, depending on the severity of the actions and whether safety is compromised.
UK
Meanwhile, in the UK it is a strict criminal offence for anyone to enter an aircraft while drunk, or to become drunk while on board any aircraft.
Consequences: Passengers found guilty can face severe penalties, including up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
Consequences for Disruptive Drunkenness on the plane
Depending on the severity of the disruption caused by a disruptive passenger:
- The airline can kick you off your flight or deny boarding due to being drunk.
- They can blacklist you and ban you from flying with that airline.
- Your travel insurance won´t cover any alcohol related issues. Which means you could lose your holiday and still will have to pay for it.
Why do you feel drunker on a plane?
The decreased pressure in the airplane results in lower oxygen in your body. Consuming the same amount of alcohol makes you more drunk in the air than on the ground. Bear that in mind.
