A Ryanair passenger was taken into custody after allegedly punching a police officer during an arrest following an international flight from the United Kingdom to Spain, according to witness accounts and video from the incident, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
The disturbance reportedly occurred on June 16 aboard a Ryanair flight traveling from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Passenger Ritchie Denholm, who recorded part of the confrontation, told Jam Press that the incident began before the aircraft even departed.
‘Drunk’ Ryanair passenger beaten with baton after ‘punching cop in lover’s tiff’https://t.co/9JO7r5ImiY [2] pic.twitter.com/9mmjYfPLPN [3]
— Daily Star (@dailystar) June 22, 2026 [4]
According to Denholm, a couple involved in the altercation appeared heavily intoxicated before boarding the flight.
“They were very drunk before leaving Edinburgh, lover’s tiff, and it all started,” the Edinburgh resident said.
Denholm said an argument between the pair escalated during the flight and eventually required intervention from multiple members of the cabin crew. Staff members were reportedly able to calm the situation temporarily.
However, according to the witness, tensions flared again when the couple realized authorities would be waiting for them after the aircraft landed in Spain.
Video captured aboard the plane shows officers walking down the aisle toward the disruptive passengers after landing.
As officers attempted to remove one of the passengers from the aircraft, the situation quickly escalated.
According to reports, one of the officers grabbed the passenger while attempting to escort him off the plane. The passenger then allegedly struck the officer in the face.
The footage shows officers moving to restrain the individual as a struggle unfolded in the aisle. Authorities eventually gained control of the suspect and completed the arrest.
No information regarding potential charges or injuries was immediately released.
The confrontation unfolded in full view of other travelers on board and reportedly caused concern among passengers who witnessed the incident.
Denholm said many people aboard the aircraft were left shaken by what they saw.
The witness also argued that airlines should do more to prevent heavily intoxicated passengers from boarding aircraft in the first place.
“No one should put anyone at risk on a flight considering things that have happened on flights in the past,” Denholm said.
“There should be more security on flights to stop anyone intoxicated getting on.”
The incident is the latest in a series of alcohol-related disruptions reported aboard commercial flights.
Airlines across Europe and elsewhere have faced recurring problems involving unruly passengers, particularly on routes associated with vacation destinations.
Industry groups and airlines have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement and stronger penalties for disruptive behavior on aircraft.
A similar incident involving a Ryanair flight occurred in February when a passenger allegedly refused to stop using a cellphone while the aircraft was taxiing for departure.
According to reports, the passenger continued speaking on the phone despite instructions from crew members. The situation delayed the flight for approximately two hours.
The captain ultimately elected to return the aircraft to the gate, where authorities boarded the plane and removed the passenger.
The June 16 incident remains under review by authorities as officials continue examining the events that led to the confrontation aboard the Edinburgh-to-Palma de Mallorca flight.