'I thought it was a joke!' Ryanair passenger escorted off flight by police after being unable to pay £7 for Pringles

The housing association worker claimed her card would not work, while Ryanair alleged she became disruptive.

Murray had asked for crisps, water and a cola during the flight but was unable to pay when the in-flight card machine would not accept payment.

She had no cash with her at the time.

Three police officers arrived and escorted her off the aircraft, putting her in the back of their van.

"I wasn't disruptive. There were no raised voices," Murray said.

"I was doing my best to pay. I tried to tap and pay, but the machine didn't work."

She also claimed she offered to get cash when they landed but was told this was not possible.

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Her partner even asked a steward if they wanted the Pringles back and was told "no".

Ryanair, however, said crew "called ahead for police assistance after a passenger became disruptive".

The airline stated: "This passenger attempted to purchase food onboard, however the card did not process payment. As crew looked to resolve the payment issue, this passenger proceeded to ignore crew instructions, consume the items prior to payment and subsequently became disruptive."

Upon arrival at Bristol Airport, the aircraft was met by local police who removed Murray.

The officers took her to a cash machine where she paid the £7 for the snacks.

"Luckily the police were lovely and after I explained the situation they took me to a cash machine," she said.

Avon & Somerset Police confirmed they "received a report of a disruptive passenger" but "quickly established it related to a civil dispute and no action was taken."

Murray, from Gloucester, said the incident was "so embarrassing" and ruined her birthday trip to the Canary Island.

"I thought it was a joke when the crew said they had called the police," she added.

She had been visiting Tenerife with her partner for a four-night mini-break to celebrate her birthday.

The 55-year-old claimed that after she paid, the crew told her she was banned from flying with Ryanair.

"After I paid, the crew told me we're banned from flying with Ryanair, but I'd never fly with them again anyway after what happened," she said.

The officers who assisted her reportedly "were laughing and couldn't believe" the situation had escalated to police involvement.