Ryanair's Phantom Flight Fiasco Leaves Passengers Stranded and Out of Pocket
A Ryanair flight from Bristol to Dublin became a nightmare for passengers when it was diverted to Manchester due to severe weather during Storm Amy in October last year. The aircraft made two unsuccessful attempts to land in Dublin before rerouting, where travelers were left sitting on the plane for a grueling six hours without any complimentary food or drinks.
Abandoned at Midnight in a Deserted Terminal
Upon finally disembarking close to midnight, passengers were told that Ryanair staff would arrange taxis and hotel accommodations. However, no crew members exited the aircraft with them, and the terminal was completely empty. One passenger, RC from Bishop's Tawton in Devon, described being forced to take a taxi to a hotel for the night at personal expense.
With no communication from Ryanair and no available flights showing for the next day, RC had to take two buses back to Bristol, turning what should have been a short trip into a costly ordeal totaling £900.
Ryanair's Bizarre Refusal Based on a Nonexistent Flight
When RC submitted a claim for £240 to cover hotel and transport costs, Ryanair refused, astonishingly because the airline's records indicated the flight had landed in Dublin. Customer service agents initially directed RC to use an online portal that did not list the flight as delayed or cancelled.
After two weeks of back-and-forth, Ryanair claimed that RC had been rebooked onto a Dublin flight that supposedly departed while passengers were still stranded on the diverted aircraft. Since RC failed to board this phantom flight, the airline asserted there was no entitlement to expenses.
Requests for evidence of this replacement flight or passenger numbers were ignored, with Ryanair simply reiterating its position and washing its hands of the matter.
Eventual Reversal After Media Intervention
Only after media inquiry did Ryanair admit that RC had been incorrectly advised. The airline has now refunded the flight cost and agreed to cover hotel and transport expenses. Regarding the lack of refreshments during the six-hour delay—where airlines are legally required to provide free amenities after two hours—Ryanair first disingenuously claimed the bar was open, later admitting it was a paying bar.
Passengers were told they could claim back costs via the online portal, a process likely to yield little success based on prior experience. This incident highlights significant issues with passenger rights and airline accountability during operational disruptions.
