For many people the idea of a beer in the morning seems strange, but for passengers waiting for flights at London's Stansted Airport, a pint before departure is considered part of the holiday ritual.
The debate was sparked after Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary proposed banning the sale of alcohol at airports before early morning flights, arguing that problematic passenger behaviour was increasing. He said the airline was being forced to divert almost one flight a day due to incidents involving aggressive behaviour on board.
But many travelers disagree.
“It’s a holiday ritual,” said Dee Wood, a 60-year-old woman who was drinking beer before a flight to Alicante. Her friend, Rachel Almond, added that for them it’s not about the drunkenness, but about the symbolism of the start of the holiday. “We raise our glasses, say ‘cheers’ and off we go,” she said.
Even Michelle Webb, who chose wine over beer, said she wouldn't drink alcohol at that hour under normal circumstances, but the airport creates a different feeling. "It's something different from the routine," she said.
Passengers acknowledge that alcohol can sometimes lead to problematic behavior on planes, but think a total ban is overkill. Some even recall festive flights that seemed like a nice part of the holidays.
“One time the plane turned into a party bus,” Wood recounted, recalling a trip before the coronation of Charles III, where there was singing and humor throughout the flight. “Nobody was bothering anyone else. It was just a festive atmosphere.”
Even 24-year-old Cerys Parnell, who was flying to San Sebastián, considers her morning beer a "symbol of relaxation and escape from routine."
Meanwhile, JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin called O'Leary's proposal "an overreaction" and practically difficult to implement.
Not all passengers opted for alcohol. Some preferred tea or soft drinks, but even they said they had no problem with those who had a beer before departure. “It’s part of British culture when people go on holiday,” said Sean Ryan, a football coach who was travelling to the south of France.
