One in seven young holidaymakers travelling to Spain is 'drunk on the plane'
One in seven young holidaymakers travelling to Spain is 'drunk on the plane'
ONE in seven young tourists heading for Spain is already drunk by the time they get on the plane, according to a survey by Jetcost.com.
The research found that holidaymakers of an average age of 18 arrive at the airport a typical three hours and 52 minutes before their flight, giving them more drinking time.
Of those who admitted they were tipsy on board, 49% say they had started consuming alcohol in the airport before embarking, and the remainder began drinking once they were on the plane.
Whilst a few of them said they drank to calm their nerves, as they were scared of flying, most admitted it was the euphoria at being about to go off on holiday that led them to celebrate with wine, beer and spirits.
Nearly a third of their fellow passengers – 31% - said they felt uncomfortable or slightly scared when they shared a plane with people who were drunk.
Jetcost.com chairman Antoine Michelat said getting on a plane drunk is 'never a wise decision'.
“Even the best person in the world can act completely out of character when they are under the influence of alcohol, and when confined to a small space with loads of other people for several hours at a time, all types of situation can arise.”
The survey found that the cabin crew, at times, had to order passengers to be quiet, or attempt to reason with them, because they were making such a racket that the rest of the travellers could not hear the safety instructions.
Airport staff have even seen young holidaymakers riding the luggage carousels, and flight attendants occasionally have to calm down rowdy, drunken passengers, especially when they become offensive or verbally aggressive.
Some airlines are very strict when it comes to allowing passengers on board if they have had a drink, although not many impose specific limits on how much alcohol can be served whilst in flight.
“Having a drink or two on the plane to relax or start out your holidays with a smile is not a bad idea, but ruining the first day of your trip because you're too drunk, is indeed a bad idea,” Michelat states.
