Dear Mr O’Leary, I have just (8.30pm on Saturday 23rd July 2016) flown back – Michael OLeary email address

Simon sent a message to Michael O’Leary – CEO, Ryanair – Email Address that said:

Dear Mr O'Leary,

I have just (8.30pm on Saturday 23rd July 2016) flown back on a RyanAir flight from Portugal (Faro) to Bristol with my wife and four children (aged 6, 5, 3 1).

After boarding the flight we had quickly run out of the water we had (very expensive from the Costa on the boarding side of security). The flight was only slightly delayed but the children had finished it all before we pushed back off the stand. They were all therefore thirsty before take off. My six year old in particular was very thirsty and letting us know that in a constant stream of whinging.

As soon as the seatbelt signs went off I asked one of the stewardesses if she could fill up one of our water bottles with tap water but she said that there was no tap water on the aircraft and we would have to buy water at €3 (I think) for a small bottle. I said that was fine and asked if she could bring us some. She said the trolley service was just starting and we would have water shortly.

I waited (with now two constantly whining children) for some time before asking again and was told the trolleys were working their way along the aisle and would get to us soon. We were sitting in rows 19 and 20 and so were almost the last people to be served - some 25 minutes after the trolley service had started.

By the time the trolleys reached us we were very politely informed that there was no water left, nor any soft drinks suitable for very young children (Fruit Shoots, etc). In fact the only soft drink that was left appeared to be 250ml cans of full fat Pepsi priced at €2.50 (ie €10 per litre!! The same product is for sale in my local supermarket at 50p per litre).

The steward I spoke with (Antonio) was very apologetic and explained that the stocks of food/drink were not replenished at each stop and so they had run out of all sorts of things. It was not his fault, obviously, but he was very apologetic and, out of the kindness of his heart, offered us water out of his own bottle - he ended up giving us about five glasses of his own water for which I am very grateful.

I find it extraordinary that a flight is allowed to take off without enough water for its passengers. In fact, I think, on every other airline I have flown they will give you free tap water if you ask for it. I know all about the small margins on which budget airlines operate but access to water is a basic human right and penny pinching of this nature could be seen as breach of those rights. It was also potentially very dangerous as small children should not be allowed to get dehydrated - especially my three year old who only has one kidney - and we had expected to be able to keep our children hydrated on your flight if not for free then by paying through the nose for the privilege.

I must stress that the cabin crew on the flight were not in any way at fault - in fact they went out of their way to be helpful and apologetic while always maintaining their cheerful demeanour.

Yours sincerely,

Simon

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