DUBLIN– A 14-year-old Irish passenger has received a €20,000 settlement from Ryanair (FR) after suffering a scald injury caused by spilled hot tea during a flight to Zakynthos (ZTH). The incident occurred as the family was travelling for a holiday, and court proceedings later revealed that the cabin crew did not provide immediate assistance.
The case was brought before the Circuit Civil Court in Dublin, where the judge approved the settlement following evidence describing delayed crew response, limited onboard medical supplies, and the distress experienced by both the boy and his mother.
Ryanair Passenger Injury Compensation
A claim filed by the boy’s mother stated that a cabin announcement was made seeking medically trained passengers, as the crew could not access a secondary medical kit without a qualified professional present.
Because no volunteer came forward, the family did not receive additional burn patches or treatment on board.
Ryanair arranged for an ambulance to meet the aircraft upon arrival in Zakynthos, where local medical staff treated the boy with saline spray and burn cream. The injury prevented him from swimming during the family’s week-long holiday, which was described in court as particularly upsetting for him.
Upon returning to Dublin, his GP diagnosed a healing second-degree burn but confirmed that no long-term scarring would remain. Ryanair subsequently offered a €20,000 settlement, which the court approved as reasonable.
Legal proceedings
Judge Sinead McMullan noted that the offer adequately reflected the pain, temporary disability, and reduced enjoyment of the holiday. A separate €60,000 claim filed by the mother relating to her own burns was previously withdrawn by consent.
The solicitor representing the family emphasised the emotional toll on the teenager, stating that the inability to participate in normal holiday activities significantly reduced his enjoyment. The court accepted the settlement and closed the case.
The court also heard that the father escorted the child to the lavatory to cool the burn, while only a single cooling patch and a small bottle of lotion were later provided.
Airline safety context
Passenger burn injuries caused by hot beverages are not uncommon in aviation, as service carts and cabin movement can create spillage risks.
Airlines typically provide standard first-aid kits onboard, although access to advanced kits is restricted to qualified medical personnel under operational safety rules.
Ryanair maintains that it follows established industry procedures for managing onboard medical issues and confirmed that appropriate assistance was arranged upon landing.
The case highlights ongoing discussion within the aviation sector about whether low-cost carriers should expand immediate-care equipment to address similar incidents more effectively.
Bottom Line
The €20,000 settlement underscores the importance of swift cabin crew response, access to medical resources, and clear in-flight safety procedures.
While the teenager sustained a second-degree burn, he avoided long-term injury.
The incident raises renewed questions about the adequacy of onboard first-aid provisions and the role of passenger volunteers when crew face medical limitations.
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