A furious Ryanair passenger has taken to social media to brand an £11 in-flight panini lunch "the worst plane food ever", after a disappointing meal on a journey from Dublin to Luton Airport.
The 'inedible' £11 lunch deal
Mike Crosby, a 60-year-old project manager from St Albans, Hertfordshire, was served the meal on December 10 following a three-day work trip to Dublin. He paid £10.98 (€12.50) for a deal that included the panini, a coffee and a Snickers bar.
He stated that the food looked "nothing like the photo" presented on Ryanair's in-flight menu. The cheese and ham panini, when opened, contained two thin slices of an unrecognisable meat and a "cheesy spread" that Mike described as a paste, rather than actual cheese.
Complaints fall on deaf ears
After tasting a couple of bites, Mike declared the sandwich inedible and threw it away. He immediately complained to the cabin crew, who he claims agreed the panini "was terrible" and offered him a miniature pot of Pringles as a replacement.
When he asked for a refund during the flight, staff told him this was not possible "in the air". Since returning home, Mike has contacted Ryanair twice via their live chat system but says his appeals for a refund have been rejected.
A warning to other travellers
Mike is now sharing his experience as a cautionary tale for other flyers. He expressed particular disappointment not just with the poor-quality food, but with the airline's refusal to take responsibility.
"I think the most disappointing thing is not actually what they served, but the way they refused to take any responsibility for serving up rubbish," he said.
His new strategy? "Next time, I'm going to say can you bring me one [a sandwich] before you cook it and before I pay. I'm then going to open the packet up and say that's no good and keep doing that until I find one I like the look of."
Online reaction to Mike's photos was largely sympathetic, with many users advising fellow passengers to simply avoid buying Ryanair food altogether or to bring their own snacks. One commenter summarised a common sentiment: "Yes, book with Ryanair…you get Ryanair."
Ryanair has been contacted for comment on the incident.
