Tourist Detained in UAE After Drinking During Flight

Ellie Holman, a dentist from Kent, England, was traveling with Emirates Airline on Friday, July 13 with her daughter, Bibi. They were flying from London to Dubai.

During their flight, Holman had a glass of wine, which was completely legal as Emirate laws allow individuals over the age of 21 to drink at selective locations to include hotels, bars, and on flights.

However, public intoxication is highly prohibited in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). At her checkpoint, an airline representative told Holman that her visa was no longer valid and that she needed to return to the U.K. Because Ellie did not want to get right back on another long flight with Bibi, she began to argue with the gentleman.

As the conservation escalated, he then asked her if she had anything to drink. To which, she responded that she had one glass of wine during her flight. The results of a blood test showed that her BAC was 0.04%. While legal in many countries, UAE forbids patrons from carrying alcohol even if it is in their system.

As a result, both Ellie and Bibi were detained for three days! Holman arranged for her daughter to be picked up and taken back to the U.K., but she must remain in the UAE until her hearing, which could take up to one year!

Furthermore, Holman paid over $38,000 in court fees and had to shutdown her dental practice during her absence.

Some critics believe Emirates should be sued for giving passengers the wrong impression that they can drink during flights to UAE.

**None of the photos above are my original content.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/woman-detained-in-dubai-after-drinking-wine-on-flight