A passenger on a delayed Ryanair flight from Spain to Manchester has recounted how holiday-goers were 'trapped' inside the aircraft for over two hours as temperatures rocketed into the 40s.
Ryanair flight FR6597 was scheduled to depart Barcelona Airport at 4.50pm local time on Monday, but passengers were only permitted to board around 6pm. Instead of taking off, passengers were left sweltering as the Boeing 737 remained stationary on the runway for two hours.
Passengers endure extreme heat
Footage from within the plane showed perspiring passengers attempting to cool themselves down while they endured hours waiting for take-off. Passengers who thought they were being given complimentary water were stunned to find out they had to pay, it was reported.
The temperature at Barcelona Airport hit a peak of 31C outside, but inside the aircraft it exceeded 40C, it was claimed. One traveller on board, Rachel, a 34-year-old teacher and mother of twin six-year-olds, shared a video she filmed on the plane and later told the Manchester Evening News that sweating passengers were 'trapped' on board and had to fork out three euro and 50 cents for bottles of water.
Passenger describes 'horrific experience'
She said: "Everything seemed to be fine at first although it was very hot outside, 32 or 33C. We got a message to sit down as quickly as possible as there would be no air conditioning until the engines were on and we were moving.
"It was getting hotter and hotter and we were sitting there and we weren't moving. Then they gave out water and we thought it was free of charge but then they came though the cabin asking for whoever had taken the water with their payment machines and taking money. After the first 45 minutes people were dripping in sweat and we just weren't getting any information.
"The staff were telling us to sit down or we'd miss our slot and everyone sat down and we thought we were leaving but again nothing happened. Another 20 minutes went by and we were still sitting there and still waiting. Then we were told there would be a further delay.
"At that point it was so hot people were asking to be let off the plane. It got really bad. It was scary at that point because there was no cool air at all. Everyone was pouring with sweat. It was like being locked inside a sauna. It felt exactly like that.
"There were children crying. There was a woman with a heart condition seated behind me who fainted. She was slumped over. The temperature must have been in the high 40s. I was looking at my own children and their faces were all puffy because of the heat. It was actually shocking how they treated us. They wouldn't do that to animals.
"They were telling us if anyone wanted to get off they wouldn't be allowed back onto the plane. A few people fainted. My husband nearly fainted. There was a school trip of about 30 children aged 15 or 16."
Passengers disembark and reboard
Around 8.20pm, with no indication of leaving, all passengers were instructed to disembark. Inside the terminal, some male passengers took off their soaking wet tops but were told by local officials to put them back on, Rachel recounted.
"I felt for the crew to be honest. I don't really blame them. They were just doing their jobs and they were as hot as we were. I don't think they really knew what was going on," Rachel expressed.
Eventually, passengers were asked to re-board the plane which took off just before 1am Spanish time today (Tuesday July 21, 2026), touching down in Manchester at 2am UK time to applause from the weary travellers.
"It was an absolutely horrific experience," Rachel admitted, adding that passengers were given four euro vouchers which could only be used inside the terminal. The terminal shops were shut, she noted.
Ryanair statement
A statement from Ryanair read: "This flight from Barcelona to Manchester (21 Jul) was delayed prior to departure due to thunderstorms at Barcelona Airport. Passengers were disembarked during the delay and reboarded once weather conditions improved.
"Passengers booked on this flight received communications via email and PUSH notifications and were issued with refreshment vouchers during the delay. Once weather conditions improved, this flight departed for Manchester at 00:29am local time."
