Investigators began searching for the cause of a sudden loss of cabin pressure
in a Ryanair aircraft as passengers on board the flight said that they
thought they would die and accused the cabin crew of not knowing what to do.
The Boeing 737 flight from Bristol to Gerona, Spain, dropped thousands of feet
after suffering a “brutal decompression” on Monday night. Sixteen people
were taken to hospital complaining of ear pain after the pilot landed the
aircraft safely at Limoges airport in central France.
The polar explorer Pen Hadow, one of the 168 passengers on board, said
yesterday: “I would say some people thought we were going to die. The woman
sitting in the seat in front of us was whimpering.
“We were descending for about five minutes from what I assume was 30,000 or
40,000ft to 8,000ft. There was absolutely no communication from the flight
crew and that added to people’s extreme fear. We really didn’t see them
during the main situation at all. They didn’t say anything, they weren’t
visible.”
Mr Hadow, who was flying with his wife and two children, also complained about
the oxygen masks. “It was extremely variable as to who got oxygen in their
masks and the cabin crew didn’t seem to know what to do.”
Another passenger, Paul Smith, a builder from Axminster, Devon, said: “I was
scared. I think everyone was scared. I’ve got three kids and my wife on the
flight and I just sat there helplessly thinking it might be the end.”
He added: “I would say the crew didn’t know what to do. They didn’t inform us
for about 20 minutes, which I think was wrong. A little information would
have calmed everyone down.
“My wife’s [oxygen] bag inflated and so did my son’s. Mine stayed flat. All
around me people kept tugging and saying, ‘It’s not working properly’.”
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive, dismissed the complaints, saying
that “exact and correct safety procedures” had been followed. “The first
thing we do in these situations is take the safety-first option. We have to
require that the pilots and the cabin crew also deploy their oxygen masks.
They can’t be making passenger announcements when they have their oxygen
masks on.”
He said engineers had confirmed that the oxygen masks were working.
When The Times put Mr O’Leary’s comments to Mr Hadow, he said he did
not want to comment any further since an official investigation was under
way, only adding: “I know what I experienced.”
David Learmount, safety editor of Flight International magazine, gave
an explanation as to why passengers may have thought there was something
wrong with the masks: “[They] usually inflate when passengers exhale. It’s a
trickle of pure oxygen. You don’t feel a rush of gas. All it’s doing is
enriching the low-pressure air.”
He said that the crew had acted correctly in not making an announcement until
the plane had descended. “The pilot is having to navigate, having to
communicate with air traffic control and having to avoid hitting other
aeroplanes. His priority is to keep the aeroplane safe.”
Transport unions say that Ryanair’s crew are relatively inexperienced by
industry standards, and have criticised the company for offering poor pay
and conditions to its staff. While there there is no suggestion that the
company cuts corners on safety, Liz Williamson, of the International
Transport Workers’ Federation, said: “They satisfy every single safety level
but it is the minimum.”
A Ryanair spokeswoman said: “The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, is five years old
and was last serviced on July 24. The captain of the flight has flown with
Ryanair for five years and seven months and has over 13,400 hours’ flying
experience.”
The article says more about the intelligence of Ryanair passengers than it does about the quality of the airline. However if one were to compare the actions of Ryanair with those of the Quantas flight that had a hole blown Ryanair would probably be found lacking, lack of information seems worrying.
Tom, epsom,
There should be an automatic recording such as…”For those of you who couldn’t be bothered to listen to the safety announcement at the start of the flight – oh dear – never mind. I bet you wish you had listened – because we have a flight emergency. Are you by any chance an Artic Explorer?”.
John H, Woking, UK
I see the usual comments from the rip-off airlines apologists. Why anyone would want to be relieved of hundreds of pounds to fly with the rip-off carriers for what is only worth ten or fifteen pounds more is beyond me. Get over it. The crew reacted in textbook fashion. The oxegyn worked. Story over
gerry, clydebank,
There should be a recorded announcement at the push of a button which both reminds people what to do and reassures them somewhat about what is happening. Either that or some kind of computer which allows staff to type a message which is announced by computer. Otherwise it is terrifying
Jackie, London,
It's probably an industry wide question..... but why don't at least some of the crew have oxygen masks that allow them to make announcements? This is not rocket science.
Neil, Vancouver, Canada
All this is down to our whinging/compensation grabbing culture today. 250 of us went thro` exactly the same in a new aircraft in 1976. Em. landing in Rome, a few drinks, then on our way. I love O`Leary`s tell it as it is way; unlike grinning Branson. Bet he`d better `Necker` for his island`s name!
Ozzy, Oldham, UK
i dont see why anybody is suprised tha the rynair crew didnt know what to do, they are untrained and inexperienced. ut the pilots are good
nick bacon, london,
If this was any other company other than Ryan Air, would they be praised for landing safely!? I believe so. Well done to all the staff. Surely the safety for ALL on board is paramount (including the staff) rather than them putting themselves at risk repeating the information they have already given.
Tracy, cardiff, uk
One reason why I will never again fly with RyanAir is because they are clueless in an emergency. When things went badly wrong at Stansted in 2003 - a snowstorm, everyone having to bed down on the floor, etc, etc - the RyanAir staff ran away and locked themseles behind a Staff Only door.
Helene, Strasbourg, France
Surely pilots can make announcements with oxygen masks on. If they cannot that must constitute a serious design failing.
Jon , Wimbledon , England
Mr Hadow should concentrate on the safety brief given before take off, instructing you to put your mask on before that of your child.
From what I read the Ryan Air Crew did a text book job in a difficult situation.
Mick, Nottingham, England
this is just typical of the arrogance of many passengers nowadays. I remember a time when passengers were grateful for arriving at their destination in one piece. Not these days! They ignore the safety demonstration because they think either they know it all or it could never happen to them!!!
Kay, East Sussex, UK
As a Ryanair pilot reading these comments, I would like to appreciate those of you who pay attention to the safety demo. Most of your views are more informed than the report. The pilots in this case did exactly what they were trained to do - pilots of all EU airlines are trained to the same standard
DP, London,
Mr. Pen Hadow next time pay attention to the pre-flight safety briefing. Put on your mask before assisting your child. If the mask deploy they may not inflate. Also to your wife, if you have damaged ear durms do you really want to be flying. Maybe you should stick to walking. Good job crew! J.D. US
John, Fort Worth, TX
Being that I was a passanger on the Ryanair plane, I would like to point out that until you undergo such an experience, you are in NO position to comment on how people should react. I beleive that the oxygen was working but to all the know it alls, why were some fully inflated and others not at all?
Richard, Bristol, UK
Is everyone aware that the oxygen masks mix with cabin air?
Edward Block, Langhorne, USA
any landing you can walk away from is a good one
bob, norwich, uk
This reminds me of the safety briefing where the stewardess said, “For those travelling with a child, fit your own oxygen mask first, then your child’s. If you are travelling with more than one child, decide now which one you love the most...”
Paul Taylor, Upminster, England
Every time I have ever flown, during the safety demonstration the cabin crew have pointed out that "the oxygen masks do not inflate". Anyone who expected them to do so clearly wasn't listening.
Hilary, London,
A safety briefing is provided on all flights so that no advice from the crew is needed in an emergency. That briefing also states that your highest priority should be your own mask and then others.
Oxygen is poisonous in large quantities, you barely need a trickle to survive.
Phil, London, UK
Mr Hadow as an "explorer" should know that:
the masks arn't supposed to inflate. they are oxygen masks that deliver a 'flow' of pure o2
his highest proirity in a depressure should have been to get his mask on then tend to his son like you are told to in the safety briefing (better survival rate)
fred, london,
So, is the safety briefing that everyone ignores now supposed to contain something to the effect of "Your oxygen mask is not supposed to inflate like a weather balloon"?
Gordonjcp, Glasgow, Scotland
You'd think an explorer would have had more sense to pay attention to the safety briefing, as these always point out that the bags do not inflate.
However I would have expected the pilots to be able to make an announcement with their masks on. How do fighter pilots do it?
Kelly, Edinburgh,
I have to say the pilot did exactly what he had been trained for, as a passenger who has been involved in a loss of cabin pressure on an Air Malta flight some years ago. The procedure is to get the plane below 10,000ft in order that the plane can equalise the outside pressure. Well done the crew.
Phillip Langdale, Hull, England
All this drama !
When there is a sudden loss of pressure, the 'front-office' becomes rather busy! The preflight-safety briefings informs passengers what to do in such an event. Up front, the pilot & co-pilot are too busy to 'mamsy-pamsy' passengers, the Pilots have to 'Fly-The-Plane' not pussyfoot !
Hugh Colgan, Buckfastleigh, England
I have travelled on Ryanair loads of times, I have nothing but praise for Mr O'Leary and his team. They have made flying accessible to the masses. He makes things happen and I expect his safety is as reliable as his plane arrivals, very impressive. Well done for getting people down safely.
bob taylor, castelnau, France
I think id rather swim then take the Worlds Rudest Airline.
David , Osnabrueck, Germany
Oxygen masks wouldn't have 'inflated' to indicate they were working..there is a small indicator in the tube.Cabin crew need oxygen too..hence no announcement initially. The aircraft would have been rapidly taken to an altitude of 8,000 ft where no oxygen is required! All correct procedure.
Mark, crawly, sussex
For such an adventurous fella he doesn't half moan. I reckon Max Clifford is his publicist.
Andrew Doyle, Manchester,
would agree with previous comment; the pilots first job was to land the plane safely, not to provide a reassuring commentary to the passengers, however frightening the experience must have been.....
Billy, Shropshire, England
Mr Hadow should stop carping and be grateful that he and his family are in one piece. Perhaps he'll try and sue someone next, when he should be thanking the designers of the Boeing and the crew.
Stuart, Chichester,
If Mr Hadow had read the safety notices he would have realised that his highest priority is to get his own mask on. That way he would be in a condition to help others and not, possibly, lapse into unconsiousness.
R Symonds, Condeon, France
I think by now most people are well aware that Mr Hadow has absolutely no idea what hes talking about.
Why is this non event still being run and trying to blame Ryanair for following procedures, which worried a man who obviously didnt listen to the safety brief? Perhaps next time he will.
Bill Glanvill, Horsham, Sussex
You try be buratted by middle class fools all day who think they pay beer money to get champagne service, the planes are safe the crew are trained to the letter of the law the same as any other airline, and the boss is not well liked, don't take out your frustrations about him on the staff be polite
IAN, luton, uk
Ryanair has the rudest airline staff I've ever met. I would be rude too in their position. They have to deal with [rightfullly] irate passengers every minute they work.
I have been irritated by Ryan many a time, but continue to fly with them...
...guess why?
Long live low-cost, low-service!
Richard, Groningen, Netherlands
Feelings for Ryanair aside, as others have said, the bag needn't inflate for O2 to be delivered.
I love the breathless reporting from the passengers with "80% knowing they were going to die".
*rollseyes*
JD, London, UK
This is an unnecessary and sensationalised headline. The oxygen masks are not supposed to inflate. If they had not worked, passengers would have lost consciousness. Also, the point of the safety briefing prior to take off is to prepare passengers for this eventuality so they can act in an emergency
Dave, London,
"My highest priority was to get a mask on to my son "
"expected a rush of gas"
Had Mr Hadow ever bothered to listen to the safety instructions? He should have put his own mask on first, and it clearly states that the bag on the oxygen masks may not inflate.
Andrew, London,
What about, "passengers travelling with young children should attend to their own mask first"?
And do the little airbags have to inflate for the masks to work properly? Wouldn't the fact that Mr Hadow and the other passengers remained conscious be a better indicator that they were working?
Tom Crossley, Paris, France
Pay more attention to the safety announcements at the start of the flight! The oxygen mask 'bag' does not inflate when in use.
As for no communication between the Cabin Crew and the Passengers, I think this has to be selected on the website when purchasing the ticket? and incurs an extra charge
Steve, Birmingham, England
If the oxygen masks had failed to work, you would pass out with a minute due to lack of oxygen. The fact that there are no reports of people passing out goes to show that all masks were working.
I'd prefer the pilot to concentrate and fly, rather than try to give out messages!
Ben Potter, Northampton, Northamptonshire
Even I know that the oxygen masks will not 'inflate' and how many times do we have to be told to put your own mask on before assiting others....
Simon, Strasbourg,
people should check the facts before printing . On a commercial airliner the bags attached to the mask do not Inflate when they are in use . oxygen is produced from a chemical generator and it is not force fed - ie it just flows gently to the mask , you wouldn't feel that you were rercieving it .
Sam, BE,
I am assuming that if the masks had not worked, then those starved of oxygen would have lost consciousness due to hypoxia. As this clearly didn't happen, either the drop in pressure was not enough to need oxygen, or the masks worked.
Sean Stevenson, London,
How many of the people transfered to hospital "at their request" are going in the hope of the airline paying out damages.
As for the bag not inflating, people in panic situations (or stupid people) would just assume the bag not inflating shows a problem but as said by others it means NOTHING!
Dave, castleford, GB
If most passengers listened to the safety briefing then they'd know exactly what to do.
J Bull, England,
Just goes to show that some people never pay attention to the inflight safety briefing (see Michael's post above)
I don't like Ryanair but in this case they seemed to have done everything correctly
steve, darlington, Uk
Whining! If the masks weren't delivering oxygen, then wouldn't people have been passing out? No announcement? Oh ok, let me just stop my emergency descent to keep everyone alive so we can have a talk about it. Give me a break.
Chris, Palma,
Mr Hadow's wife, Mary, complians of being driven by coach?
its amazing.. she nearly died, but forgets she was brought to saftety by Ryanairs pilot and instead of being happy to be alive - still complains of a silly coach journey. people need to look at the bigger picture!
Ramadan Ozdemir, Morden, Surrey
I am a pilot with the most major competitor to Ryanair, the report seems hysterical and ill informed from a very excited and technically ignorant person. WELL done to the Pilots and crew for doing precisely what they were supposed to.
John (pro pilot & engineer), Hove, UK
Why don't Ryan air have a pre-recorded message that can be played at a time of emergency? Most passengers cannot be expected to know what to do.
Dennis Irving, Reading, England
On my last trip with Ryanair ,the stewardess started the safety announcements three times and said that she would continue to do so until the passengers stopped talking and listened.
I think that sums up the British attitude for taking advice and acting upon it.
graham HARRAD,, stowmarket, uk
Is it only me? I am trying to work out how a pilot is expected to use the PA system when he/she is struggling to put their mask as well. I thought thats the point of going through the demo at the beginning. I think this Pen Hadow is still traumatised and was talking thru the back of his neck.
Muhammad, Cambridgeshire,
Ryanair is a major catastrophe waiting to happen. With as many flights as they have, the pilots cannot be all that experienced and the cabin crew are young, immature kids who I could see panicking in an emergency. When push comes to shove, the crew are just as terrified as the passengers.
Mike, Brussels,
Further to Justin's comment - an absolutely brilliant landing is when not only can you walk away but the aircraft can be used again.
David Buchanan, Princes Risborough, UK
Frightening event? Yes. Blame the crew? No. The customer is king, but that doesn't mean he's always right.
Shake the hand of the pilot, thank him or her for landing you safely, and be thankful for and enjoy your time on this Earth.
Ron, Frankfurt,
Ryanair are responding to the oil crisis with the most agressive price cutting of any airline perhaps reflecting the personality of their chief executive. How can we be sure that this has not had an impact on maintainance and passenger safety. Why did the plane depressurise? Plenty of questions left
Dr D Richards, Chester, UK
No one died..no one injured..why do the people are blaming the airline. The crew has taken the safety precautions as they have been instructed. I have flown with Ryanair so many times and i got nothing to blame. Their service is far better than most other airlines.
roshan ranatunga, london,
Lets all blame Ryanair as usual! Some people should fact find before assuming. Ryanair have to comply with the same safety rules & regs as any other airlines. Be thankfull they are all alive, unlike those the week before! If you don't like Ryanair, then pay your extra money and fly high fares!
Andrei, Nuneaton, UK
Although I imagine it would be rather terrifying, surely one would expect a rapid descent should a plane depressurise, and also one would not expect an announcement because the pilot was busy trying to descend! Plus, the oxygen bags aren't supposed to inflate. They always tell you this on flights.
Natalie, Hemel Hempstead,
Mr Hadow, as per the safety briefing, should have put his own mask on and then attended to his son. This allows the adult to be totally in control of the situation and not to lose consciousness after putting the mask on his son.
The sensationalist nature of the reporting is typical.
Marc , Liverpool, UK
To summarize-The aircraft suffered a malfunction,followed procedure and landed safely. Travellers were put on a replacement flight and those who wanted to go to the hospital (presumably to back up any potential compensation claim!) were taken to Girona by coach. What's their complaint?
Al, Birmingham, UK
It would have been good if the person quoted in the article knew what they were talking about. Oxygen masks on jet airliners do NOT inflate when they deploy. Several airlines tell you this during the safety briefing - I'm not sure if Ryanair are one.
Michael, Stornoway,
I think you will find this to be the first of many problems with Ryan Air as O'leary cuts money to maintenance!
The man is not to be trusted, but you have the choice, fly cheap & possibly die, or pay a bit more, get to where you actually want to be, & live!
Pete, St Albans, England
The passengers should be thankful that the pilots are skilled enough to get the aircraft down quickly to a safe altitude. It may have been unpleasant as hell but it's better than being entirely deprived of oxygen! However, maybe Ryanair should look at updating their in-flight safety briefing?
Peter Anderson, Bicester, Oxon
O'leary has a point, nobody could issue a warning, least of all the aircrew who had other things to do while wearing the oxygen masks, and the cabin crew who would be needed after the descent to8000 feet.
richard john williams, weybridge, uk
I'm so pleased to see that everyone survived this dreadful incident, however, I just wonder whether Ryanair will now try and charge their passengers for using the oxygen masks !
They seem to want to charge for everything else.
Ex regular Ryanair cattleclass passenger.
Mike, Skegness, England
Mr Hadlows first priority should have been to put on his own oxygen mask, eliminating the danger of him blacking out before he was able to finish helping his son. He obviously did not take the time to read the safety instructions or listen to the announcement pre flight
Philip Percival, Durham, UK
Whats the purpose in demonstrating inside the flight how to pull down u r masks and other safety procedures if they dont work or not being tested by the staff's first.
Its so dangerous and annoying for the customers to follow all these safety procedures and checks just to find out nothing works .
Prasanna, Manchester, UK
As pointed out on an aviation website, if the oxygen system did not work, many would have died. I think most passengers expect a full flow of oxygen as with a hospital mask, this does not happen. You are told to "breath normally" and you will get enough oxygen to live.
KW, Bognor Regis, England
I agree that Ryanair cabin crew are very rude, but it's ridiculous to think that their planes aren't maintained properly - they've got one of the newest fleets in the sky.
I'd rather pay 99p for my flight than get ripped off by Britain's so-called favourite airline (also crewed by surly sorts)
Cate, Nottingham , UK
I have been on oxygen in hospital, and I can tell you I thought it wasn't working. I think it was because I expected a huge rush of air, and it doesn't work like that. I expect the people who thought they weren't working were waiting for huge air rushes just as was I. Read the safety manual folks!
Ruth Marie, Swansea, Wales
The explorer has made himself look stupid..........
Phil, Preston,
Ryan Air dont inspire confidence, from the ground up. Im surprized that they dont include Oxygen as an optional extra. I flew with them last month, Cork to Dublin and obviously booked my ticket online. When i got to the desk, I had to pay an extra €5 as i didnt check in online also...pathetic.
John, dublin, ireland
Mr Hadow would be well advised to stick to subjects he knows something about before rushing to criticise the pilots who had just saved his life. They had to descend, divert and land and were too busy to make anouncements. A word of thanks would not go amiss.
Mark, Leicester, UK
Well done to the Pilot, with a situation like this the Pilot has to fly the plane to a level where we can breathe without oxygen, remember we are advised not to talk on our mobile phones while driving yet some people want the Pilot to blether into the pa system in the middle of an emergancy decent
tam, Glasgow, scotland
this is exactly why ryanair should be a bit nicer all round... whenever things go wrong everybody enjoys giving them a great kicking... apart from the press office staff masquerading as customers of course...
andy p, st albans, uk
Ryanair bashing aside, how do you think you would have reacted to such a situation? Even if you had been listening to the pre-flight safety announcements I expect that a good 90% of you would still panic and forget to follow the proper procedure. It's only natural.
Tom, Bristol,
Ryan-AIR pay as you go air..lines
Maybe they will add oxygen to their long list of stuff you have to pay for.. Would not be surprised
They are cheap in every way
henry, cheltenham, Glos
If that had been my son 9or any other child) beside me, I think I would have been counselling him to try to help him equalise his air spaces, rather than doing a survey of the plane's oxygen masks. Might have saved poor Wilf a trip to hospital!
Tim , London,
In what sense is Pen Haddow an explorer ? we all know it is a vast empty expanse of usually frozen water. having heard him on the radio, he appears to be a pretentious publicity seeker.
DEL, LANCASTER, ENGLAND
It actually says in the information you are SUPPOSED to read before take off that 'the bag on the oxygen mask does not inflate' , so it would be the ones that DID inflate that were not working !!
Maybe Mr Explorer needs to read his info before criticising cabin staff..?
Jonathan, Stirling,
Well done to the Ryanair crew who managed this incident with professionalism and performed a textbook descent and diversion. In an emergency of this sort – this is precisely the desired outcome. Well done guys.
Pravin, London, uk
Hadow obviously didn't read the safety manual - the fact that he put his sons mask on before his own was a major no-no.
MikeE, Hampton, UK
Well done to the pilots for getting the plane on the ground safely. Interesting reading all of the digs about ryanair, no one has said they are too cheap and I want to pay more for my flight. They are cost effective travel and confirm to international flight safety standards. Stuff happens
phil, Staines, UK
With all his money why was Haddow flying on Ryanair anyway?
As he has been unheard of for quite a while it seems there is no such thing as bad publicity!
Ryanair may be no frills, but it certainly works by the highest international safety standards and the fleet is some of the youngest flying.
bruce, Glasgow, UK
Mr Hadow and family are ok and they are wining about finish their trip by bus? How about finish in a body bag like many ended up last week in Spain?
For those who are mocking about "budget" mindset of Ryanair, ask about the relatives of the deceased in Concorde about the price of the ticket...
wagner, Sao Paulo, Brazil
I have never flown on Ryanair, but I know after always listening to the BA safety information that they mention that oxygen masks do not inflate. Mr. Hadow does not mention that he could not breathe, simply that they did not inflate.
Angie, Bristol, UK
Every time I fly the instructions state." In the event of an unexpected decompression, oxygen masks will fall from the overhead compartments. Often the clear plastic bag will not inflate even though oxygen is still being delivered.Place your own mask first then your children's." This is a non story.
Martin, St. Louis MO, USA
i said exactly the same thing as Anthony!
Rachel, Nottingham,
As anyone who has overheard the pre-flight safety announcements even once knows, the oxygen masks need not, and often do not, "inflate" to function properly. The fact that all passengers survived until descent to a lower altitude seems to indicate that they functioned properly.
John, Paris,
I cannot believe how much exposure Hadow's hysterical comments are getting, particularly as the masks aren't meant to inflate -- and you are warned about this in the pre-flight announcements. Even Hadow's wife is getting involved with the hyperbole with the term 'walking would'.
Tony, Islington, London, UK
I would have thought that an arctic explorer would realise that if you had no oxygen supply for the time it takes to descend 20,000 ft you would at the very least pass out? And surely everyone who flies in any way regularly is aware that the bag isn't supposed to inflate. Good man, Pen.
Steve, Dublin, Ireland
in my experience of Ryanair saftey proceedures are not adequate as a) it was very difficult to understand the foreign accents of the staff; b) they gave the demo so quickly that it was impossible to keep up anyway.... having said that I am sure that this tale of horror is somewhat overblown,
Nick, london,
Whilst I sympathise with everyone on board, it sounds like the Arctic explorer and his wife are expert at soaking up the spotlight. I would have thought a seasoned traveler would be more familiar with the emergency procedure - I'm sure I could recite it myself and I'm hardly an explorer.
Mark, London,
Doesn't the safety briefing include the words: "pull down on the mask to start the flow of oxygen" accompanied by action by the cabin crew?
Maybe those people who insist of talking all the way through the safety briefs will pay attention in future. Did Mr Hadow pull down on his mask?
MarkS, Leeds,
Most pilots say that if you can walk away from a landing, then it's a good one...
Justin, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
aviate, navigate, communicate - the pilots' order of priorities. as uncomfortable as that is for us passengers, isn't it better the pilots focus on flying the plane, rather than talking about it?
however, perhaps ryanair 's cabin crew needed to be more reassuring, as qantas's were recently?
sarah, london,
Yeah, lets take any chance we can to knock Ryan Air. But I regularly fly on pretty packed planes from Beauvais; where most people seem quite content.
But you can spot the moaners at check in. They're the ones struggling with complex concepts like "low cost", 15Kg limit and "read the T&C's"
Tom Crossley, Paris, France
Flying Ryanair on Monday night , I noticed how few people were paying attention to the safety demo (know it all, heard it all before). Could a pre-recorded PA message be available for cabin crew to use to remind passengers what to do during a depressurisation - on ALL aircraft, not just Ryanair's?
Richard Majewicz, Peterborough, UK
The amount of oxygen provided per passenger is around seven minutes worth, around the same time scale it takes to take the aircraft below 7000 ft where we can breath unaided. If the oxygen wasn't on, they would be dead, the crew were probably in the jump seats breathing this 'non-functioning' oxygen
Jeff, London, UK
Due to the recent outcry, The company formally known as Ryanair will now be known as Ryan-no air.
Simple, if the oxygen was not working, bodies would have been in a mess. No point in putting something in front of anyone, they won't see it. Safety message? All lived? - End of !!!!
Robert, Glasgow, U.K.
Alasdair Barron,
There has been a press release link on Ryanair's website all morning.
Marc , Liverpool, UK
Mr. Hadow had better stick to walking if he can't be bothered to listen to or read the safety information, "My highest priority was to get a mask on to my son.." Passengers are told, for a very good reason, to put their own mask on first.
Well done the Ryanair crew.
Anthony, edenbridge,
My dear old dad, with 2 Queens commendations for flying always said, "anything you walk away from wasn't a bad one".
Sounds like everyone walked away, nuff said, especially with the other outcomes we've seen this past wee.
Sean, Belfast,
Most people know little about aviation and the media don't bother checking or thinking If the masks had failed, people would have been unconcious before they reached 10,000ft. At typical cruise altitude, you've got about 30-45 seconds before unconciousness. Oh, and the bags don't inflate.
Simon, Southampton, UK
The most important thing was that the aircraft landed safely...The flight crew would have been busy. Obviously the crews concern was to land the aircraft as quickly as possible. But there should have been communication.
kirk, Rotherham, UK
Oxygen masks need to be pulled towards the face before a pin is released to send oxygen to the mask. The 'concentrator' bag will only inflate in low cabin pressure, the fact that so many were not inflated just indicates that the cabin pressure was still at a safe level.
Kevin, Edinburgh, UK
Doesn't the safety briefing say you have to "pull" on the mask to start the oxygen flowing. I'm guessing no-one listened as well.
More worrying is the sudden decompression. Is this another example of poor maintenance done in eastern europe just to save money. There is a high risk of fake parts,too
Simon , Leicester,
Ryanair Oxygen? You have to pay extra for that, don't you?! Pilots can make announcements when they reach 10,000 ft - Cabin crew are supposed to be able to demonstrate how the masks work.... if they speak english it's a Ryanair bonus.
Niall, London, U.K.
Where are the "hurrahs" for a safe landing? Congratulations to the pilots surely? It has given me greater faith to fly as these unforseen incidents are well taken care of.
Non, Norfolk,
Happily all are safe, but...
I've sat on many a Ryanair flight where the "Safety Briefing" has been given by a giggling Eastern European girl. I've often thought that if there is a problem, the people Ryanair pick would be my last choice to help me in an Emergency.
I *hate* Ryanair.
Steve Ferris, Sherborne, England
Errm, on RyanAir flights I believe you have to put a pound coin in the slot before the oxygen mask starts :-)
John H Woods, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks
Depressurisation is serious, it means the plane has a real problem, and nothing was done to put minds at rest. I work in PR and the failure do deal with customer concerns early, or post event equals a PR disaster in the making. Why nothing on Ryanair website? Alasdair
Alasdair Barron, London,
'Anybody who flies with Ryanair has nobody but themselves to blame'.
Paulina, from London, you are of course right. If the plane had crashed and people had died it would have been the passengers fault.
How dare you.
Richard, Manchester, England
Mr Hadow may be an Arctic explorer but that doesn't make him an expert on airplane safety. If oxygen masks had been inoperative for five minutes people would be dead.
Andrew Gallagher, Galway,
The safety message at the start of every flight, when referring to the oxygen masks, make it clear that the masks' bags do not inflate. As much as it pains me to defend Ryanair, to say that their masks 'failed' because they did not provide a large blast of oxygen is just wrong.
Paul, Widnes,
This must have been a traumatic experience for all aboard the plane, I have flown ryanair and found them to be very good. The safe landing and wellbeing of all passengers is a credit to the pilots who reacted superbly.
Kevin, Buckley, Flintshire
Why make "digs" at Ryanair?
I wonder how many of the passengers on board carried out the procedures advised to them at the beginning of the flight and pulled down on the masks to release the oxygen?
Well done to the pilots and crew for landing this plane without serious consequences!
P, Moraira
Pauline, Moraira, Espana
Anybody who flies with Ryanair has nobody but themselves to blame.
Paulina, London, UK
If the masks on a plane are like the ones used in hospital, they will still deliver oxygen whether the plastic bag attached to the yellow mask inflates or not - the bag acts as a reservoir to increase the inspired O2 percentage when the rate of breath inhaled exceeds the rate of oxygen delivery.
Chris, Newcastle, UK
Anybody who has listened to a safety announcement on a plane knows;
a. you put your mask on first before helping others
b. the oxygen mask does NOT inflate
Michael, London,
Much as I dislaike Ryanair as the world's rudest airline...
Whatever the cause was , the outcome was the plane is on the ground in one bit with everyone talking about it, not their relatives crying about it. That has to be good
Pete, Edinburgh,
Well I was on a Ryan Air flight last August and the emergency door had issues. The flight attendent seated next to the door told us that the door may or may not open during our flight to Spain and if it did oxygen maks would be available. Shocking that Ryan Air flies under such poor safety!
Lee-Ann, London, UK
These passengers went through a terrible time but to say the staff didn't know what they were doing is completely unfair. The plane landed safely and nobody was killed, these staff are hero's, they done enough and everyone walked away.
Stop trying to make a case to claim compensation; pathetic!
Richard Irwin, Bristol, UK
Its wonderful how many experts there are without qualification that respond/contribute to these articles. Individuals have different expectations of various situations, but that does not mean that procedures were wrong, or not carried out. Wait for a report rather than sensationalism.
jimd, Norwich, uk
Please pay attention to the safety briefing before take off...
Elena, Rome, Italy
If the procedure is (a) act first, (b) explain later, then surely the safety briefing should say this: "The pilot act will first to get the plane to a safe height, and explain later. Don't expect a strong flow of air from your mask. The crew need oxygen too, so don't expect help straight away.
Julian Turner, Derby, UK
Nobody knows what to do in such situations. I was on a BA 737 that had a birdstrike on take-off. Lots of screaming, no messages from the pilots, no sign of the aircrew until minutes after the passengers had already calmed themselves.
Training can't prepare you unless you have prepared yourself.
Danny Prior, Forth, Scotland
Silly Ryanair Passengers: they were no doubt dreaming having consumed the hospitality drinks served by Michael.
Ryanair passengers are really expecting a lot if they expect the crew to know anything about what to do in an emergency.
Don't they know the crew is mainly there to sell lots of rubbish?
Michael Donlon, Dublin, Ireland
If the crew had taken the time to speak to the passengers instead of putting on their own masks maybe 168 passengers wouldnt have landed safely? Where were the interviews with the passengers that praised ryanair, but that doesnt make a good story for the media does it? Well done to Ryanair.
Angie, Morecambe,
Ryanair and other short haul flight crews get far more experience in flying then long haul aircrews. It is said, that if a flight emergency ends with all the passengers and crew walking out safely, then that is an emergency well handled.
DaveP, Beverley, UK
I flew Ryan this summer back from Valencia and thought they were spot on. From previous comments from the Scouse family who alegedly flew in too fast...are you qulaified to make such comments? The crew probably saved your life!!!!
Wilhelm, Sydney,
I have flown Ryan Air on a number of occassions when travelling in Europe. I have found them to be really professional. It is not rocket science to understand that a Pilots top priority in an emergency is to get the plane down rather then to keep passengers informed. Well done crew.
Judith Scott, Auckland, New Zealand
I did a bit of flying years ago and knew a bloke who became an airline pilot.
He told me if he turned the aircraft at any more than a rate one turn, then the passengers would be moaning and complaining to head office.
Anything except straight and level seems to terrify a lot of people
Bruce Sinton, Gisborne, New Zealand
We had a terrible flight with Ryan Air..never again. Flight from Liverpool to Gerona...coming in to land far to fast . Just as about to land aborted landing and took off again. People screaming in rear of plane.No info from flight crew so people feared worst.
Pete Pletcher, Chester, GB
I flew with Ryan Air last summer all through Europe. I took over 50 flights in a period of 4 months. They are not a luxury airline and for 12 Euros a flight, you get what you pay for. As for this situation, this is the reason why there are safety instructions before the plane takes off. Follow them!
Anna, Calgary, Canada
we flew with ryanair from stanstead to perpengan last month and as the plane climbed cracking noises could be heard, the turn -around time is so quick I can't see how it is safe.
we would not rush to fly with them again.
richard weatherley, northampton, uk