Ryanair Passenger Severely Burned by Hot Water on Flight, Now ‘Scarred for Life’
A Ryanair passenger, Susan Martin, 69, suffered severe second-degree burns after a cup of hot tea spilled on her lap during a flight from Bournemouth to Malta on March 12, 2026. The incident has left her with lasting physical and emotional scars, prompting a warning to others about the potential dangers of hot beverages on flights.
The Incident
Approximately 20 minutes into the three-hour flight, the lid of Martin’s cup of tea came off, spilling boiling hot water onto her lap. The incident caused painful burns to her upper thighs, groin area, and lower stomach. Martin described the experience as immediately shocking, causing her to scream, hyperventilate, and begin shaking.
“I was in shock as it was scalding water,” Martin recounted. “The water came straight out of the water vessel at the back of the plane. They took me into the hold at the back. I took my trousers off and they were pouring cold water on me.”
Ryanair crew responded by applying iced water and gel packs to treat the burns. Martin believes the water was excessively hot, potentially originating from a source at the rear of the aircraft rather than the standard drinks trolley.
Medical Treatment and Aftermath
Upon landing in Malta, Martin was immediately transported to a hospital by ambulance. She received IV antibiotics and daily dressing changes for her burns. After returning to the UK, she underwent six weeks of regular medical check-ups and continued dressing changes.
The burns have left Martin permanently scarred. She is now unable to expose herself to sunlight and must keep the affected areas covered. She as well continues to experience flashbacks related to the incident.
“I am scarred and I have to apply cream every day to keep the scar moist. I’m not allowed to go in the sun and for the rest of my life I have to keep it [the scars] covered. I do still have flashbacks and I think I always will. I have stopped drinking hot drinks since this has happened,” Martin stated.
Warning to Passengers
Martin is urging fellow travelers to exercise caution when ordering hot beverages on flights and to ensure that drink lids are securely fastened. She expressed concern about the potential for similar incidents to occur, particularly involving young children.
“Can you imagine if that had been a young mother with a child or a baby on her lap. That would have been horrendous. I would hate anyone else to go through what I have been through and I’m still paranoid about hot drinks,” she said.
Ryanair has been contacted for comment.