British man arrested in Iceland airport for wearing too many clothes
Ryan Hawaii was stopped at Keflavík Airport for wearing eight pairs of trousers and ten shirts
A British man has been arrested at Keflavik airport in Iceland for wearing too many clothes.
Ryan Hawaii reportedly wanted to avoid the excess luggage fee and therefore wore eight pairs of trousers and ten shirts.
He claimed he was denied a boarding pass at the British Airways desk for his flight home after he put on all the clothes that wouldn't fit in his checked luggage.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After being stopped by security staff while trying to board the BA plane, the dispute escalated into a row which he filmed and posted on Twitter.
Hawaii was reportedly then prevented from boarding an EasyJet flight the following day “after the second airline heard about the previous day's drama,” says The Sun.
Shortly after the initial confrontation police were called and had to pepper spray him and wrestle him to the ground, according to local media reports - something which British Airways dispute.
Hawaii eventually made it back to the UK via Norwegian Airlines and says he is being refunded by both BA and easyJet for the flights he missed.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Hawaii believes “his treatment was due to racial prejudice because he had dreadlocks, wore flashy clothes and nail polish,” says Iceland Monitor.
A spokesperson for British Airways told Sun Online: “We give our customers a wide range of fares to choose from to meet their needs.
“Our hand baggage only fares from Iceland are as low as £47 each way, and are designed for customers who are travelling without any hold baggage.
“We do understand that our customers' plans can change so they can choose to pay a fee at the airport if they need an extra bag.”
“We explained our policy to our customer, and arranged an alternative flight to London.”
-
Wilde Cambridge: home-away-from-home in a prime city spotThe Week Recommends This laid-back aparthotel is the perfect base for a weekend of exploring
-
The best alcohol-free alternatives for Dry JanuaryThe Week Recommends Whether emerging from a boozy Christmas, or seeking a change in 2026, here are some of the best non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits to enjoy
-
A lemon-shaped exoplanet is squeezing what we know about planet formationUnder the radar It may be made from a former star
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users