Two passengers hoping to enjoy a sunny holiday in Tenerife received a shock after they were ‘dragged off’ their plane by flight attendants – after one unfortunate incident
A couple were escorted off a plane by police after their card was unable to process a £7 transaction for onboard food.
Ann-Marie Murray, 55, was flying from Tenerife to Bristol on March 28, with her partner. They decided to buy a bottle of Coke, water and Pringles while onboard the flight – but had trouble paying. The Barclays card they attempted to use failed to process the payment, and they’d used up all their cash on holiday, they said. Ann-Marie said she offered to withdraw cash from an ATM when they landed – but she claims this was initially refused by flight crew.
The couple then had their boarding passes taken by flight crew – who claimed they were refusing to pay – and told the police would be waiting for them at Bristol Airport. Despite their protestations and other passengers coming to their defence, flight crew maintained their position, she said.
They were escorted off the plane by police who Ann-Marie claims later branded the situation as “ridiculous”.
Ryanair said “this passenger proceeded to ignore crew instructions, consume the items prior to payment and subsequently became disruptive”.
Ann-Marie, a retirement living assistant from Gloucester, Gloucestershire, said: “It was really embarrassing – they stopped everyone getting off the plane and we had to be escorted off I think they thought we had another card or cash, but I emptied my bag and showed them I had nothing else.
“It was £7.00 – we ordered a Coke, a bottle of water and some Pringles. So the flight attendant then said she’d pay for it and we’d give her the cash – but we had used all our Euros up.
“Then another girl came back, and she tried the machines again, and they still didn’t work. I suggested that when we land, I’d be happy to withdraw the cash from the airport and pay. But they took our boarding passes, and I asked why, and she said we’ve done something wrong – refusing to pay.”
She added: “Other passengers stuck up for us and said we can’t pay, it’s your machines not working but she doubled down and said we were refusing and being rude.”
Ann-Marie said flight attendants confirmed to her that this had happened with similar cards before.
She added: “As she went to get another machine, the other flight attendant turned round and said this had happened before with these cards. This has happened to other people on flights we’ve been on before; the machines seem to have problems with these credit cards.”
To make matters worse, after retrieving their car from the Silver Zone Aiport Parking at Bristol Airport, they found the front bumper “smashed.” Ann-Marie said: “We got in the car and heard scrapping on the floor.
“We got out and found the front bumper smashed up. We went to complain, and the car park owners said it wasn’t their problem – they looked at our car and said it was undrivable. They said we have to get it towed away and repaired and then go home.
“Eventually, they decided to get us a taxi home. We asked for CCTV footage, and they said they couldn’t give it to us.
“I’ve emailed, and they are saying they won’t take responsibility.”
A Ryanair spokesperson said: “The crew of this flight from Tenerife to Bristol (28 Mar) called ahead for police assistance after a passenger became disruptive onboard. 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.”
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