Mike Crosby, who was served the panini lunch on a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Luton Airport following a work trip, has shared his anger on social media to raise awareness
A Ryanair passenger has slammed what he has described as “the worst plane food ever” — an “inedible” £11 panini lunch.
Mike Crosby, aged 60, claims “even cabin crew agreed” the sandwich “was terrible” after he complained on the flight from Dublin to Luton Airport on December 10. Mike said the meal, which also included a coffee and a Snickers bar, cost £10.98 (Euro 12.50), looked “nothing like the photo”.
The father of two, who had spent three days working in Dublin, said: “I don’t like to complain and I’m the first to say how remarkable it is when you get a good meal served 35,000 feet in the air. But, I was disappointed with this one.
“It was supposed to be cheese and ham but that doesn’t look like ham of any sort I recognise and it doesn’t look like the picture showing more of it than was in there. The cheese wasn’t cheese but more of a paste. It was a cheesy spread.”
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A photograph shows the opened panini with two thin slices of ham inside and “unrecognisable cheese paste” slathered on a small section of the bread. Mike, who is from St Albans, Hertfordshire, asked for a refund but staff allegedly told him they were unable to offer this “in the air”. The dad claimed Ryanair has also rejected his appeal since then too.
Mike is now speaking out about his Ryanair sandwich experience as a warning to others. He said before buying one next time he wants to inspect the contents of the bread first — and will continue doing so until he finds one he likes the look of.
Mike, from St Albans in Hertfordshire, said: “The coffee, Snickers and sandwich was part of a meal deal and I paid 12 euros and 50 cents – and for plane food [the price] wasn’t that bad.
“It was all very horrible. I had a couple of bites and thought I’m not eating this and threw it away. It’s the worst plane food I have ever received on a plane and it’s up there with the worst sandwich too.
“It looked nothing like the photo. I don’t actually know what that meat was. I didn’t even get to taste the cheese. I said to the people on the plane that [the panini] is terrible and the cabin crew agreed and gave me a miniature pot of Pringles instead.
“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.
“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. I don’t think it’ll ever look like the picture.”
Since returning home, Mike, who is a project manager, has contacted Ryanair twice on their live chat system but says he was still unsuccessful in getting his refund.
Mike said: “I’ve moved on now and I’m not wasting any more time. I’m not expecting anything from them. It’s a lesson learnt and I won’t be parting with my money until I see what I get next time and have inspected the sandwich.”
After sharing the photos of his panini online, most users agreed with Mike’s disappointment but some suggested he take his own snacks next time.
One user said: “Don’t fly with Ryanair. Do not buy food on Ryanair if you fly with them. You know what they are. Do not waste your valuable time complaining. They do not respect you as a customer.”
Another added: “Ryanair would always be my very last resort when flying. I’d rather pay more, than to increase the owner’s wealth. Not far short of a con man.”
A third said: “Take your own sandwiches.” A fourth commented: “Yes, book with Ryanair…you get Ryanair.”
Ryanair has been contacted for comment.
