Ryanair Emergency Landing Germany: Incidents and Passenger Tips

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.

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

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

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Timeline

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

Confirmed facts

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.

Frequently asked questions