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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
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Anita McSorley & Iona Young & Gemma Ryder

Family's 'nightmare' on Ryanair flight as pilot threatens to divert over 'out of control' stag party

A family has spoken about their "nightmare" Ryanair flight experience after claiming that a rowdy stag party caused chaos onboard.

Elaine Wilson Duncan and her cousin Linda Bishop were taking their 88-year-old aunt Christine Moreland on her first holiday since her husband died, as she is too afraid to travel alone.

But they say their flight from Edinburgh to Tenerife was taken over by a dozen men on a stag do, who were drinking their own alcohol, shouting, swearing, and even vaping in plain sight.

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Elaine told Edinburgh Live: "When we first arrived at the airport we were excited for the holiday ahead. My aunt lost her husband three years ago and won't go alone on holiday because she is scared in case something happens.

"So me and my cousin decided to take her on holiday and booked a trip to Tenerife. She is 88 years old but she is perfectly fit and well.

"We weren't aware of the stag do when we were queuing to board the plane and then a lot of them were sitting behind us on board. With the rest dotted around the plane - there were about 12 in total.

"When the first refreshments trolley came around, I asked for two drinks as there is normally a long wait in between the refreshments being offered.

"I was told this wasn't available because it was a stag and hen do destination and passengers were only allowed one drink each. The man in front kept asking for more 7up they were sharing a bottle of vodka amongst themselves and drinking it from the juice bottles.

"I reported this to the air hostess as they were getting more and more drunk - and louder. But she told me, they already knew and had to catch them pouring it in, in order to do anything about it.

"There were three messages on the tannoy telling them not to vape in the toilets and that if anyone was caught the flight would be diverted and police would be waiting on landing.

"They kept vaping in the aisle and in the toilets but nothing happened."

She continued: "There was another announcement asking passengers to stay in their seats and that they would be refusing to serve any alcohol on the second refreshments round - instead just tea and coffee.

"I said to the air hostess we were being punished for their actions, as we weren't allowed another drink and she said 'Sorry - I know it's a riot onboard.'

"The guy in front of us was just vaping from his seat, you could see the cloud of smoke in the air and he was waving it about the place.

"They weren't sitting down but going up and standing next to their pals., ignoring the staff."

Despite attempts to report the group's behavior to the air hostess, the situation only worsened as the group continued to cause disruption. The flight staff were unable to do much to stop them.

Elaine explained: "They just got more and more drunk, it was horrendous and the worst flight I have ever had.

"I complained afterwords but the staff told me that there was no section my complaint fit into so they could not process it. I will never fly with Ryanair again by choice."

Elaine's aunt Christine had been looking forward to the special trip for ages and it turned out to be a "horrendous" experience.

"I really felt for my aunt, it was a really stressful experience. There were no male attendants on board but I'm not sure that is the reason nothing was done about it.

"The group were between their late 30s and early 50s so old enough to know better."

Ryanair have been approached for comment by Edinburgh Live.

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