Ryanair Passenger Chokehold

Overview

Ryanair Passenger Chokehold refers to the controversy surrounding the forced deplaning of a passenger of Ryanair as a result of alleged racial profiling.

Background

On August 7th, 2019, Twitter user @Islam768 tweeted a video of his friend Rafik being placed in a chokehold and dragged off of a Ryanair flight. They wrote, "I can’t believe my eyes right now, my boy was racially profiled and attacked on our flight on our way home ; there was a free seat next to me but the air hostess refused to let him sit there and accused him of punching her when the whole plane has his side." The post received more than 3 million views, 135,000 likes and 73,000 retweets in 24 hours (shown below).

I can’t believe my eyes right now, my boy was racially profiled and attacked on our flight on our way home ; there was a free seat next to me but the air hostess refused to let him sit there and accused him of punching her when the whole plane has his side. @Ryanair #justice pic.twitter.com/uaI9L3bn9z

— Islam (@Islam768) August 7, 2019

Developments

Victim's Response

That day, Rafik, the passenger who was forced off the plane tweeted a video of their experience from their phone. They wrote, "To think that what just happened to us is still happening in 2019 is DISGUSTING. This is not the first time @Ryanair have messed up. Please help me boycott them and sort this out." The post received more than 45,000 views, 1,000 likes and 860 retweets in 24 hours.

To think that what just happened to us is still happening in 2019 is DISGUSTING. This is not the first time @Ryanair have messed up. Please help me boycott them and sort this out. #justice pic.twitter.com/o5IV9gQXoA

— rafik (@rafik19442685) August 7, 2019

Additionally, @Islam768 shared a video of their attempts to reach out to customer support at Ryanair. They wrote, "And now they are refusing to help us, shutting the shutters! I am so annoyed and aggravated at this point. This is a WHOLE MANAGER." The post received more than 124,000 views, 2,600 likes and 1,300 retweets in 24 hours (shown below).

And now they are refusing to help us, shutting the shutters! I am so annoyed and aggravated at this point. This is a WHOLE MANAGER @Ryanair pic.twitter.com/PmN6Zqt4Sy

— Islam (@Islam768) August 7, 2019

Online Reaction

Many reacted negatively to Ryanair's conduct as displayed in video, siding and sympathizing with the passengers experience. Twitter^[1] user @madaxxanuun tweeted, "I swear white people only get involved when it’s their own, and it’s never their own so they’re sat comfy. It’s all entertainment for them." Within 24 hours, the tweet received more than 1,700 likes and 100 retweets (shown below, left).

Twitter^[2] user @MimiAbuMallouh tweeted, "I love how the only people coming to his defense are people of color, while the white people just sit there watching, or ignoring what’s going on.." Within 24 hours, the tweet received more than 7,000 likes and 760 retweets (shown below, center).

Twitter^[3] user @MHus66 tweeted, "Interesting how those who came to the defence of the brother was ethnic people. All the white folks sit down and mind their business because that is what they are told to do. Whereas we are told to stand up against injustice wherever it is. @Ryanair is a disgusting company." Within 24 hours, the tweet received more than 10,000 likes and 1,300 retweets (shown below, right).

Media Coverage

Several media outlets covered the controversy, including The Daily Dot, ^[4] Irish Post,^[5] The Sun^[6] and more.

Search Interest

External References