British tourist arrested in Mallorca over bizarre Ryanair flight incident

A British tourist who allegedly tried to kiss a Ryanair steward on the neck during a flight to Mallorca was reportedly arrested days later when he returned to Palma Airport to fly home. The unusual case began on a flight from London Stansted and ended with a court appearance in Spain. 

Why a British tourist was arrested when he returned to Palma Airport

A British tourist was reportedly arrested in Mallorca days after an alleged assault on a Ryanair steward during a flight from London Stansted to Palma. The 30-year-old passenger had flown to the island on June 29, according to local reports, and was due to return to England on July 7.

But the case took an unusual turn at Palma Airport. Rather than being detained immediately after the outbound flight landed, the man was reportedly arrested days later when he returned to the airport for his flight home. According to Majorca Daily Bulletin, the passenger was arrested by the Guardia Civil on Tuesday 7 July before appearing in court in Palma. He was later released.

The unusual part of the case is not the allegation itself, but the timing of the arrest. What began as an incident reported on board a flight to Mallorca appeared, at least briefly, to have ended when the passenger left the airport after landing.

Ryanair steward reportedly filed the complaint after the flight had landed

The alleged incident happened during an afternoon Ryanair flight from Stansted to Palma. The passenger was reportedly drunk and disturbing passengers and crew. Local reports said he allegedly made advances towards a male flight attendant on several occasions before kissing him on the neck. The aircraft captain was informed and the Guardia Civil in Palma was notified before the plane landed. However, the passenger was not arrested straight away. According to the same report, the flight attendant initially declined to file a formal complaint against the tourist. 

The man reportedly told officers he was staying in Mallorca for a few days and would be returning to England on July 7. He was then allowed to leave the airport. That changed when the steward later decided to make a complaint. Officers reportedly went to the arrivals area to locate the passenger, but he had already left.

Mallorca holiday ended with a court appearance in Spain

The delayed complaint meant the tourist was reportedly detained when he came back to Palma Airport for his return flight. He appeared before a court in Palma and was released, according to local reports. No conviction has been reported, and the case remains an allegation.

The arrest highlights how quickly an incident on a flight can move from the aircraft cabin to the police station, even when there is no immediate detention on landing.

For cabin crew, the case underlines the seriousness of unwanted physical contact at work they can be exposed to. Flight attendants are not only serving passengers during a journey. They are responsible for safety and order on board, often while dealing with alcohol, stress, delays and crowded summer flights.

Cabin crew incidents can affect everyone on board

Unruly behaviour on flights is not only a legal issue for the person accused. It can affect cabin crew, other passengers, onward travel plans and the safe operation of the flight.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says unruly or disruptive behaviour linked to intoxication, aggression or other factors creates unnecessary risk during a flight. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) gives similar advice to passengers, warning that disruptive behaviour may be a criminal offence. It says passengers who are intoxicated, rude, aggressive or otherwise disruptive can distress crew and fellow travellers, risk arrest and criminal charges, face heavy fines or imprisonment, be made to pay diversion costs, or be banned from flying with an airline.

Ryanair has already tightened its stance on disruptive passengers

Ryanair introduced a €500 fine in June 2025 for disruptive passengers whose unruly behaviour leads to them being removed from an aircraft. The airline said at the time that it would continue to pursue disruptive passengers for civil damages where appropriate.

The airline has repeatedly described disruptive onboard behaviour as an industry-wide issue, while saying passengers and crew should be able to travel in a safe and respectful environment.

For Spain-bound passengers, a few drinks before boarding, ignoring crew instructions, touching staff or making unwanted advances can carry consequences far beyond embarrassment. Depending on the incident, it can mean being met by police on arrival, missing a return flight, paying extra accommodation costs, facing court proceedings, or being barred from future travel.

The Majorca case will now depend on the Spanish judicial process and any further action taken after the complaint.