Few things make your heart drop quite like the announcement that a flight is making an emergency landing. That’s what happened to 185 passengers on a Ryanair flight from Berlin to Milan on June 5, 2025, when severe turbulence forced the plane down in Memmingen, Germany.

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Date of incident: June 5, 2025 ·
Passengers injured: 9 (ages 2–59) ·
Flight route: Berlin to Milan ·
Emergency landing location: Memmingen, Germany ·
Cause: Severe turbulence during thunderstorm

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact flight number not officially released (CBS News)
  • Whether the plane was allowed to continue after landing (authorities grounded it) (CBS News)
3Timeline signal
  • June 5, 2025 – turbulence incident (Reuters)
4What’s next
  • Investigation by Bavarian authorities
  • Passengers offered bus transportation

Seven key facts, one pattern: each tells a story of a routine flight turned emergency.

Fact Value
Date of incident June 5, 2025
Injuries 9 (8 passengers, 1 crew)
Age range of injured 2–59
Cause Severe turbulence during thunderstorm
Aircraft type Boeing 737-800
Flight route Berlin to Milan
Emergency landing location Memmingen, Germany

The pattern is clear: weather, not mechanical failure, drove this incident.

What happened on the Ryanair flight?

The turbulence incident

  • The flight encountered severe turbulence around 8:30 p.m. local time over Bavaria (CBS News).
  • The plane was diverted to Memmingen Airport after being unable to land at its initial alternate, Munich (The Berliner).
  • The aircraft carried 179 passengers and 6 crew members (Associated Press).
Bottom line: Nine people were injured when turbulence struck a routine flight. The implication: even well-prepared crews can face sudden weather challenges that change the entire trip.

Passenger injuries and airline response

  • German police reported that eight passengers and one crew member were injured (Associated Press).
  • Three injured people were taken to a hospital in Memmingen for treatment; the rest received outpatient care (Associated Press).
  • Among the injured were a woman with a head injury, a two-year-old child with bruises, and a 59-year-old woman with back pain (Reuters).
  • Authorities did not allow the plane to continue flying after the landing (Associated Press).
  • Ryanair arranged bus transportation for passengers (Associated Press).
Bottom line: The turbulence incident injured nine people and forced a diversion to Memmingen. For travelers, it’s a reminder that seatbelt signs matter. For Ryanair, the grounding shows the airline’s safety-first approach works even when weather turns violent.
The upshot

Rough weather can strike any flight. The real takeaway: Ryanair’s crew got the plane down safely, and authorities acted quickly to care for those injured.

Why does the Ryanair seat 11A have no window?

The structural reason behind missing windows

  • Seat 11A on Ryanair’s Boeing 737-800 lacks a window because the air conditioning duct and overhead bin placement force a structural omission.
  • Rows 11 and 12 on some configurations also have no window on one side.

How to avoid seat 11A and similar rows

  • Check your seat map during booking – seats with no window are often marked with a grey icon or noted.
  • Choose seats in rows 1–10 or 13–33 to guarantee a window view.
The catch

Ryanair doesn’t warn you about missing windows at checkout. If you book a standard seat, you might end up in 11A with a blank wall. Selecting a seat (for a fee) is the only way to avoid it.

What is the 40 minute rule for Ryanair?

How the rule works at check-in

  • Ryanair requires passengers to check in online at least 40 minutes before departure.
  • If you miss this deadline, you may be denied boarding – even if you’re at the gate.

Consequences of missing the deadline

  • You’ll be denied boarding and lose your fare.
  • No refund or rebooking is offered.
Bottom line: Ryanair enforces a strict 40-minute check-in rule. For travelers, the consequence is simple: set an alarm 24 hours before departure, or risk being left behind.

Is priority boarding worth it on Ryanair?

What priority boarding includes

  • Priority boarding allows earlier boarding and includes one cabin bag plus one small personal item.
  • It also guarantees overhead bin space for your larger bag.

Cost of the add-on Priority & 2 cabin bags

  • Typically costs €6–€12 depending on route and purchase timing.
  • If you book it at the same time as your flight, it’s cheaper than adding it later.

When it makes financial sense

  • Worth it for travelers with a larger carry-on or those who want guaranteed overhead bin space.
  • Not worth it if you only have a small personal item and don’t mind waiting.
The trade-off

For €6–€12, you buy peace of mind and a few extra minutes of boarding time. If you’re flying with a backpack only, skip it. If you have a wheeled bag, you’ll be glad you paid.

How to avoid paying for seats on Ryanair

Free seat assignment at check-in

  • Ryanair assigns seats for free during online check-in, but you cannot choose your seat unless you pay.
  • Check-in opens exactly 24 hours before departure.

Best check-in timing to avoid fees

  • Checking in immediately when the window opens gives the best chance of sitting with travel companions.
  • If you wait, seats are assigned randomly – you might be split up.

What to do if you’re traveling with children

  • Ryanair does not guarantee adjacent seats for children unless you pay for seat selection.
  • Some families report that gate agents will help seat children with parents, but it’s not guaranteed.
Bottom line: You can avoid seat selection fees by checking in exactly 24 hours ahead. But if you’re traveling with kids or want to sit together, spending a few euros might be the safest bet.

Timeline

  • June 5, 2025 – Ryanair flight Berlin to Milan makes emergency landing at Memmingen after severe turbulence; 9 injured.

Confirmed facts

Confirmed facts

  • Nine people injured in turbulence on June 5, 2025 (Reuters).
  • Flight diverted to Memmingen, Bavaria (Reuters).
  • Three injured hospitalized (Associated Press).
  • Seat 11A lacks a window due to structural design on Boeing 737-800.

What’s unclear

  • Exact flight number not officially released.
  • What caused the window to dislodge in the July 2026 incident (not covered here).

Quotes

“Eight passengers and one crew member were injured.”

German police statement, via Associated Press

“The plane landed safely and all passengers were offered bus transportation.”

Ryanair spokesperson, as reported by Reuters

What these voices tell us: police and airline both confirm the same facts – injuries, safe landing, and passenger care. No contradiction, no mystery.

Summary

For anyone flying Ryanair, the turbulence incident is a rare but real reminder that weather can upend even a routine flight. The airline’s response was textbook: safe landing, medical care, and bus transport. But the real takeaway is that you can’t control the turbulence – you can only control how you prepare. For the traveler heading to Memmingen, the choice is clear: check in 24 hours early, avoid seat 11A, and maybe spring for priority boarding if you carry a big bag. Or take the risk and hope for the best. The implication: Ryanair passengers must actively manage these rules or face the consequences.

Additional sources

msn.com, bbc.com, nypost.com, bbc.com, echo24.cz, airlinegeeks.com, bbc.com, bbc.co.uk

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Frequently asked questions

What’s the longest Ryanair flight?

Ryanair’s longest route as of 2025 is from Dublin to Lanzarote, covering about 2,800 km, with a flight time of roughly 4 hours.

How much of Ryanair is owned by Michael O’Leary?

Michael O’Leary owns approximately 4% of Ryanair Holdings, making him one of the largest individual shareholders.

What is the 3-1-1 rule on Ryanair?

Ryanair follows the standard EU 3-1-1 rule for liquids: each container max 100 ml, all containers in a 1-liter clear bag, one bag per passenger.

Do I really need to print my Ryanair boarding pass?

Ryanair requires a printed boarding pass for most flights, unless you use the mobile app and have a digital pass. Printing is still recommended.

How much does it cost to bring a Priority & 2 cabin bag on Ryanair?

The Priority & 2 cabin bag option typically costs between €6 and €12 depending on the route and when you add it to your booking.

Why would anyone pay for priority boarding?

Passengers pay for priority boarding to guarantee overhead bin space for a larger carry-on and to board earlier, reducing stress.