A Ryanair passenger faces arrest after vaping during a flight from Manchester to Alicante, sparking chaos and embarrassment as he headed to his own wedding.
A Ryanair passenger was arrested upon arrival in Alicante, Spain, after allegedly vaping throughout his flight from Manchester, England. The incident occurred on a charter flight that also marked the passenger’s journey to his own wedding. As he disembarked, he was met by authorities from the Guardia Civil, underscoring the seriousness of his actions in defiance of the pilot’s explicit instructions against vaping during the flight.
Details emerged after the incident was discussed on social media, particularly on TikTok. Comedian and TikTok user Katrina Robinson shared her thoughts on the situation, describing the atmosphere during the flight as chaotic. “Everything was kicking off,” she noted, emphasising the embarrassment of the situation for the groom, as she quipped, “imagine that being the man you’re marrying, how embarrassing, all for a pineapple vape on a two-hour flight.” She further expressed her dismay at the passenger’s behaviour, referring to it as a source of shame for British nationals.
The passenger’s vaping, which is commonly understood to be prohibited on flights, has drawn a range of reactions online. Comments varied from one user questioning the frequency of disruptions on flights to Alicante—“Do flights ever land in Alicante without the police having to lift someone?”—to another mocking the preference for a “pineapple flavoured vape.” This sentiment was echoed by a third commentator who remarked, “Everyone knows you can’t smoke on planes, come on.”
Ryanair has reiterated its policies regarding onboard behaviour, stating on its website that any passenger who disregards crew instructions, including rules about smoking or vaping, may face significant consequences. The airline warned that it may take measures deemed necessary to address such situations, including the potential for restraint of the offending passenger, removal from the flight, and prosecution for any infractions.
The guidelines also stress the importance of the crew’s ability to perform their duties without interference and the paramount need to ensure the safety of all passengers on board. Such incidents highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining compliance with airline regulations, particularly regarding smoking and vaping practices during flights.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gbnews.com/news/world/ryanair-passengers-booted-flight-disruptive-behaviour-onboard – This article highlights the seriousness of disruptive behavior on flights, as seen in a recent Ryanair incident where passengers were arrested for causing a disturbance. It underscores the strict policies airlines have against such behavior.
- https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2025/03/17/spanish-police-board-two-planes-upon-arrival-in-alicante-from-britain-due-to-disruptive-passengers/ – This article discusses incidents of disruptive passengers on flights to Alicante, Spain, which aligns with the context of the Ryanair passenger’s arrest for vaping on a flight to the same destination.
- https://www.icao.int/safety/iStars/Pages/Aircraft-Operations.aspx – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) provides guidelines on aircraft operations, including safety protocols that prohibit smoking and vaping during flights, which is relevant to the incident described.
- https://www.ryanair.com/en/ie/travel-info/travel-documents/conditions-of-carriage – Ryanair’s Conditions of Carriage outline the airline’s policies regarding onboard behavior, including consequences for disregarding crew instructions, which supports the airline’s stance on handling disruptive passengers.
- https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/newsroom-and-events/news/easa-releases-new-guidelines-smoke-free-flights – The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) emphasizes the importance of smoke-free flights, which includes vaping, highlighting the regulatory framework that prohibits such activities during air travel.
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/what-permitted – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides information on what items are permitted during flights, which indirectly supports the prohibition on vaping by highlighting the strict regulations around electronic devices and substances on aircraft.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears recent, as it discusses a specific incident involving a Ryanair passenger. However, without a specific date mentioned in the text, it’s difficult to pinpoint its exact freshness. The incident’s discussion on social media platforms like TikTok suggests it is relatively recent.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quote from Katrina Robinson is present, but without further online sources confirming it as the earliest reference, it’s challenging to verify its originality. The quote seems to be from a social media post, which might not be easily traceable to its first appearance.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Examiner Live, a reputable local news outlet. However, the reliability could be further enhanced if corroborated by national or international news sources.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The incident described is plausible given the strict regulations against vaping on flights. Ryanair’s policies and the legal consequences for such actions support the narrative’s plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and plausible, with a reliable source. While the freshness and quote verification could be improved with more specific dates and sources, the overall plausibility and source reliability support its credibility.
