An opinion piece published in The Independent has called for a ban on alcohol on flights, citing its common link to incidents of "air rage." The article, written by Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman, suggests that removing in-flight alcoholic drinks could enhance safety for both passengers and crew.
According to the International Air Transport Association (Iata), there was one incident involving an unruly or disruptive passenger for every 355 flights in 2025. This figure represents a slight decrease compared to 2024, when one incident was reported in every 307 flights.
The piece highlights that alcohol tends to be a common factor in these disruptive incidents. Earlier this year, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary also advocated for a ban on drinking before flights.