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Date Published: 10/04/2025

Brit mum escorted off Spanish flight because she couldn't pay for Pringles

Police were called to meet the “disruptive” passenger when the Ryanair flight from Tenerife to Bristol touched down

A British mum looking forward to getting home after a family holiday in Spain was left shocked and horrified when Ryanair cabin crew called the police on her mid-flight – all because the credit card machine wasn’t working and she didn’t have cash.

Ann-Marie Murray, 55, decided to buy some snacks on her flight from Tenerife to Bristol on Friday March 28. She ordered a pack of Pringles, some water and a soft drink from the flight attendants, which came to €10.50 in total. However, the card machine declined her payment and the Briton had no cash on her.

The mum from Gloucester reportedly offered to withdraw cash to pay for the crisps, which she had already started to eat, once the plane landed, but the airline crew decided to radio ahead to Bristol for a police escort, claiming that “ a passenger became disruptive.”

Three police officers met the plane when it touched down on the tarmac and led Ann-Marie off the flight.

“I wasn't disruptive. There were no raised voices. I was doing my best to pay. I tried to tap and pay, but the machine didn't work. They tried with another machine and when it still didn't go through I offered to get cash when we landed but they said I couldn't do that,” Ann- Marie explained.

“I thought it was a joke when the crew said they had called the police. I was shocked when the police came onboard and we were asked to leave.

“It was so embarrassing. I had done everything I could to resolve it. They then told the police I had refused to pay, but that wasn't the case. I wanted to pay, but my card didn't work and I had no cash,” she added.

Once off the plane, the officers took Ann-Marie to a cash machine but after she’d paid, she was stunned when the crew told her she is now banned from flying with Ryanair.

Ryanair said: “During this flight, this passenger attempted to purchase food onboard, however the card did not process payment. As crew looked to resolve the payment issue, this passenger proceeded to ignore crew instructions, consume the items prior to payment and subsequently became disruptive.

“The aircraft was met by local police upon arrival at Bristol Airport and this passenger was removed.

Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.”

In other news: No replacement flights for 12 Ryanair axed routes in Spain

Image: Freepik

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