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Ryanair proposes 2-drink limit at airports to tackle unruly passengers

January 14, 2025
Ryanair wants to limit passengers’ alcohol consumption. The airline is proposing a two-drink cap at airport bars, echoing CEO Michael O’Leary’s comments.

“We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink, but we don’t allow people to drink-drive –– yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet,” O’Leary told The Telegraph. He believes stricter alcohol limits at airports could help prevent mid-air incidents.

Not everyone agrees with Ryanair’s stance, including a former Ryanair pilot. Still, the airline wants to take a hardline approach.

The cost of unruly passengers

Last week, Ryanair filed a legal claim against a passenger whose disruptive behavior delayed a flight overnight. The incident cost the airline more than $15,000 in accommodation expenses.

According to FAA data, there were nearly 6,000 unruly passenger reports in 2021. While that number dropped to 2,100 in 2024, O’Leary insists alcohol restrictions could reduce it further.

Legal consequences for passengers

Ireland-based Ryanair already limits alcoholic drinks on its flights. Under Irish law, passengers who “breach the peace” can face fines or even imprisonment.

The debate over airport alcohol limits continues, but Ryanair remains steadfast. For the airline, smoother skies may depend on keeping pre-flight drinks to a minimum.
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Two people found dead in landing gear of JetBlue flight

January 7, 2025
JetBlue confirmed two people were found dead in the wheel well of one of its planes the night of Monday, Jan. 6. The flight landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, from New York City.

Workers, doing a post-flight maintenance inspection, discovered the bodies. As of the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 7, the bodies haven’t been identified.

JetBlue officials said the bodies were found on flight 1801 from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. That flight landed just after 11 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, according to the tracker FlightAware.

The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office will now conduct autopsies to try to determine the cause of death. Airport operations continued without interruption, according to officials.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the landing gear compartment is often used by stowaways. However, there is very little space and the person can lose consciousness due to a lack of oxygen and freezing temperatures at high altitudes.

In December 2024, workers discovered a body in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight that had flown from Chicago to Hawaii. Authorities still haven’t identified that person. The airline said the plane, which departed from O’Hare International Airport, was only accessible from the outside.

In addition, a woman boarded a Delta Air Lines flight over the Thanksgiving holiday and made it from Paris to New York before getting arrested.

On Christmas Eve, a stowaway boarded a Delta flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, bound for Hawaii, without a scanned ticket or boarding pass. When Delta employees discovered the unidentified person, the plane returned to the gate and the person ran off the flight. However, the person was later arrested in an airport restroom.

Former Transportation Department Inspector General Mary Schiavo told CNN, the stowaways post a huge security danger because they could be somebody trying to cause harm.

Investigators are now trying to figure out how the two people, who died on the JetBlue flight, were able to gain access to the plane. A spokesperson for the airline called the situation heartbreaking.
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Delta tops North American list for most punctual flights

January 3, 2025
The busy holiday travel season has ended, with AAA predicting nearly 8 million people chose to fly to get where they needed to go. Now, a new report shows which airlines were the most on-time.

The airline analytics company Cirium has released its rankings for 2024, with Delta Air Lines finishing first.

Researchers found that Delta had an 84% on-time departure rate and an 83% on-time arrival rate.

United Airlines came in at No. 2 with an 82% on-time departure rate and an 81% on-time arrival average.

Alaska Airlines was No. 3, with 82% of its departures and 79% of arrivals being on time.

American Airlines took fourth, with 79% of flights departing on time and 78% arriving on time.

Southwest came in at No. 5. Its flights were on time 77% of the time and its arrivals were 78% on time.

Top 10 on-time airlines in North America
- Delta Air Lines.
- United Airlines.
- Alaska Airlines.
- American Airlines.
- Southwest Airlines.
- Spirit Airlines.
- JetBlue Airways.
- Frontier Airlines.
- Air Canada.
- WestJet Airlines.
According to the report, Delta came in third place when compared to all the airlines around the world. Aeromexico and Saudia Airlines topped the list, respectively.

Top on-time airlines around the world
- Aeromexico.
- Saudia Airlines.
- Delta Air Lines.
Air travel was up in 2024 due to an increase in international trips. According to the International Air Transport Association, from January to October, revenue-passenger miles increased by 11% compared to 2023.

The association predicts that by 2025, departures will increase by 4.6% to a level of 40 million. As a result, the airlines are adding flights and increasing premium seating.
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Virgin Australia crew attacked in Fiji on New Year’s Day: Police

January 2, 2025

Fiji police are investigating separate incidents of theft and sexual assault involving two Virgin Australia crew members during a layover in the early hours of New Year’s Day, according to statements from Fiji authorities and the airline. The incidents occurred in Nadi, a popular tourist destination and home to Fiji’s main international airport.

Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew said the two crew members were returning from a nightclub when the alleged theft and sexual assault took place. Virgin Australia confirmed it is aware of the incidents and sent personnel to provide support to the affected employees.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka clarified that the two incidents involved different crew members. He expressed regret over what occurred and said police questioned a suspect in connection with the alleged sexual assault.

Investigations into both cases are ongoing.

The Virgin Australia crew members are staying at a hotel commonly used by the airline for layovers and are expected to return to Australia after assisting local authorities with the investigation.

Tourism is a critical part of Fiji’s economy, with the country welcoming nearly 1 million visitors annually. Gavoka emphasized that incidents like these could happen anywhere, but urged tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night.

The investigation follows recent reports of rising crime rates in Fiji. Police statistics from October 2024 showed a 6% increase in crime compared to 2023.

The country also faced other high-profile incidents involving foreign visitors. This included the hospitalization of seven tourists in December after they consumed cocktails at a resort bar. Authorities later ruled out poisoning by alcohol or illicit drugs, citing toxicology reports.
Body discovered in wheel well of United Airlines flight at Hawaii airport

December 26, 2024
Investigators are continuing to search for answers after a body was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, after a flight from Chicago to Maui.

A United Airlines spokesperson said, “the wheel well is only accessible from outside the aircraft.” The airline is working with law enforcement to figure out how the person was able to get in.

According to flight tracking website FlightAware, the plane had previously flown from São Paulo, Brazil on a direct flight to Chicago. The plane then had about a four-and-a-half-hour layover before the flight to Maui, which takes a little over nine hours on average.

So far, there is no identity of the person who died.
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American Airlines resumes flights after ‘technical issue’ on Christmas Eve

December 24, 2024
American Airlines reported a widespread “technical issue” on Christmas Eve morning, Dec. 24. The Federal Aviation Administration said the airline requested a ground stop for all its U.S. flights.

American Airlines responded to worried travelers on X, saying, “Your safety is our utmost priority, once this is rectified, we’ll have you safely on your way to your destination.” The airline lifted the nationwide ground stop around 8 a.m. ET, but no further details on the “technical issue” have been released.

American Airlines said it was expecting to fly nearly 12.7 million customers during the holiday period from Dec. 18 to Jan. 6^.

The Transportation Security Administration said it expects to screen nearly 40 million travelers from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2, a more than 6% increase from the same time last year.
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Passenger arrested for allegedly trying to divert Mexican flight to US

December 9, 2024
A passenger on a flight in Mexico allegedly tried — and failed — to divert a flight to the U.S. The airline said the passenger attempted to take over the aircraft by force.

Mexican aviation authorities confirmed they arrested the passenger after an emergency landing.

The Volaris flight was heading to Tijuana from Leon when the incident occurred.

The passenger tried to divert the flight, telling crew members that a family member of his had been kidnapped and that he was facing death threats, according to police.

He attempted to enter the cockpit, but the crew restrained him. The pilots made an emergency landing in Guadalajara.

It remains unknown where in the U.S. the suspect was trying to get to. Police have not disclosed whether the suspect was carrying a weapon.

Volaris, a low-cost domestic airline in Mexico, announced all passengers and crew were safe.

After the suspect’s arrest, the flight resumed and arrived safely in Tijuana with no additional incidents reported.
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The Biden administration makes final push for airline-customer protections

December 5, 2024
The Biden administration is making a final push to establish major consumer protections for airline passengers. The administration already put a rule requiring airlines to pay ticket refunds, but this new proposal goes further. It aligns more closely with European standards for airline compensation.

The Department of Transportation announced plans Thursday, Dec. 5, taking steps toward requiring airlines to pay passengers with cash, meals and lodging if their flights get canceled or significantly changed due to a problem with the plane or a computer outage.

What it means for the consumer

The proposal includes payments from $200 to $775, depending on the length of delay.

Current regulations have airlines decide how long a delay must last before issuing refunds. Under the new plan, a significant delay lasts at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

The proposal will also likely include free rebooking on the next available flight. In addition, stranded passengers would receive meals and hotel stays.

The department is also weighing allowing small airlines to pay less compensation than large ones.

Nearing the end of the Biden administration

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the department is considering new protections near the end of President Joe Biden’s term because the airline industry is breaking records.

“This launch is a process that I think will lead to more improvements for passengers,” Buttigieg told MSNBC. “There’s really two goals here –make sure those kinds of disruptions are less likely to happen in the first place, and make sure you’re taken care of when they do.”

Could airline ticket prices increase?

Industry trade group Airlines for America responded to the proposal, saying it would drive up ticket prices.

“In this highly competitive industry, carriers don’t need further incentive to provide quality service. This proposal is simply one in a long string of ill-conceived and rushed rules from an administration intent on reregulating the U.S. airline industry,” Airlines for America said in a statement.

U.S. senators question airline executives

The move follows a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 4, on the multi-billion dollar business of airline fees, where airlines discussed implementing customer-specific pricing using AI and algorithms. That means everyone would pay a different price for the same seats on the same flight.

A congressional report out last week says that five of the nation’s largest airlines collectively took more than $12 billion in revenue from seating-related fees between 2018 and 2023.

What’s next?

The Biden administration is asking for public comment on its airline-consumer protections proposal as the possibility of these regulations becoming actual policy relies on the incoming Trump administration.
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Airlines may use algorithms, AI for ‘customer specific’ pricing

December 4, 2024
Airlines are exploring ways to implement customer specific pricing using AI and algorithms, meaning everyone would pay a different price for the same seats on the same flight. The revelation was made during a Senate hearing on the multibillion-dollar business of fees, which Senators contend are misleading and deceptive to customers.

“They are piggy banks to be shaken down by these skyrocketing fees that seem to have no connection to any costs that the airlines incur,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said. “In fact, our investigation shows they have no connection to actual costs that the airlines are bearing.”

From 2018 to 2023, five of the nation’s largest airlines made $12.4 billion from seat fees.

Over the last six years they made $25.3 billion on bag fees.

“I mean, you guys do appreciate that flying on your Airlines is a disaster, don’t you?” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said.

Some airlines have offered incentives for employees to charge customers. In 2022 and 2023, budget airlines Frontier and Spirit paid $26 million in bonuses to gate agents who charged customers bag fees. Frontier paid agents $10 for every extra carry-on.

Robert Schroeter, Frontier’s Chief Commercial Officer, said the program is meant to enhance compliance with Frontier’s carry on bag policy.

“This in turn enhances cabin safety and boarding efficiency and ensures that all passengers are treated equally,” Schroeter said.

The committee also said the way fees are applied may break federal law. Senators contend hidden fees may violate consumer protection laws through deceptive practices. They also accused airlines of charging fees that are non-taxable to avoid excise taxes, an allegation United denied.

“United has always paid the seven and a half percent transportation tax on all seat fees, but it’s not displayed in the booking path because United pays this directly to the Treasury,” Andrew Nocella, United Chief Commercial Officer, said.

Overall, the airlines defended their pricing with corporate speak like, “it’s a business model consistent with market demands” and “It’s never been more affordable to fly.”

But it’s clear senators want to tighten the rules so at a minimum the prices are more transparent.

Schroeter said their base airfares are on average 77% lower than legacy carriers and 64% lower even when the fees are included.
Related Stories
- Senate report criticizes airline ‘junk fees’ totaling billions of dollars
- US government fines American Airlines $50 million
Sunday after Thanksgiving sees record number of flyers

December 3, 2024
The Transportation Security Administration reports Sunday, Dec. 1, was the busiest flying day ever in the United States. The record-breaker occurred as Americans tried to get home from the long Thanksgiving holiday week.

TSA agents screened 3.09 million flyers on Sunday, breaking the previous record set earlier this year. 3.01 million Americans flew on July 7, the Sunday after the Fourth of July.

Before that, 2.95 million people flew on May 24, the Friday before Memorial Day, when many people celebrate the unofficial start of summer.

Officials said air travel was relatively smooth compared to past years.

FlightAware reports airlines canceled less than 1% of all flights over the long holiday week. 83% were on time. The biggest difficulty on Sunday was lake effect snow in the east. FlightAware says 120 flights were canceled.

In addition, an air traffic controller shortage throughout the holiday week was a bit of a travel nuisance, especially at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The FAA had to slow some departures, resulting in flight delays.

Overall, the TSA reports 12.6 million travelers flew this week between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sunday, Dec. 1. That topped last year’s total of 12 million.
Related Stories
- Charlotte airport workers go on strike as TSA expects record holiday air travel
- AAA predicts record Thanksgiving week travel, nearly 80 million on the move

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