Easyjet refund advice - 40 weeks pregnant

J_Sh

Can anybody give me some advice please.

Two months ago I booked my return flight to Spain with Easyjet for a friends hen party. I am due to fly outbound on 4th May and return on 6th May. However I found out recently that I am in fact pregnant and am due on 8th May - therefore I will be 40 weeks pregnant by the time of my flight.

I am well aware that, even if I still wanted to, I would not be allowed to fly after a maximum of 36 weeks, (I actually work for a different airline so am aware of the rules regarding flying whilst pregnant.)

Therefore, as Easyjet itself states it would not admit me for travel AND I am giving them seven months notice, I thought I would be due a refund.

However, having just spoken to an Easyjet representative I have been advised that I can either:

Travel earlier in my pregnancy(?!) OR
Give my ticket to someone else (and pay £35-£40 for changing the name)

Apparently I am not entitled to a refund as pregnancy is not considered a serious enough medical condition (however it is serious enough for me not to be allowed to fly with them?)

Does anybody have any thoughts on this, or know where I might stand from a legal point of view? Any help is appreciated, thanks.

photome

If pregnancy is covered by your travel insurance then you could claim from them, otherwise you dont have a leg to stand on, you chose to get pregnant after booking a non refundable ticket

Caz3121

J_Sh wrote: »

Apparently I am not entitled to a refund as pregnancy is not considered a serious enough medical condition (however it is serious enough for me not to be allowed to fly with them?)

I don't think they refund for serious medical conditions either, they would expect the refund to come from the travel insurance if someone was too ill to travel.

You should be able to claim back the taxes (less admin fee) and as said above check if your insurance will cover you for the rest

J_Sh

Just remembered why I never fly Easyjet. In retrospect I should have taken the name of the Easyjet employee I spoke to regarding medical issues. Thanks for your replies although I do not agree that me 'choosing' to become pregnant should really be an issue. What I was really looking for was more of a legal point of view, ie recent changes in the Air Carrier Access Act with regards to discrimination and pregnancy.
In the meantime I will keep my ticket until the last minute as it appears I will not get any of my money back. I wouldn't want them to have to find someone else to sell my ticket to would I?

YorkshireBoy

J_Sh wrote: »

Just remembered why I never fly Easyjet.

Others may remember why they buy travel insurance.

I actually work for a different airline

What I was really looking for was more of a legal point of view, ie recent changes in the Air Carrier Access Act with regards to discrimination and pregnancy.

It sounds like you're more knowledgable, or at least should be, than the people you're asking for help. Surely you have 'contacts', or can read the legislation you mention?

In the meantime I will keep my ticket until the last minute as it appears I will not get any of my money back. I wouldn't want them to have to find someone else to sell my ticket to would I?

Not even one of the bride's other friends, who may wish to go (cheaply) in your place?

J_Sh

Ha ha! I agree Yorkshire Boy, I do have travel insurance and may well be covered, it is something I shall look into I havent yet informed friends of my pregnancy, a little too early you see, just wanted to know what my options may be before springing the situation on the poor beleaguered head bridesmaid.

ferf1223

J_Sh wrote: »

Just remembered why I never fly Easyjet.

I'm not sure you would have had a different answer from many other airlines?

J_Sh

You would on the airline I work for, hence my surprise, although all airlines would impose a fee for administration costs, which is to be expected.

YorkshireBoy

J_Sh wrote: »

You would on the airline I work for, hence my surprise, although all airlines would impose a fee for administration costs, which is to be expected.

So what would your losses have been had you booked with your own airline?

And how much more expensive were they than Easyjet (assuming they fly the same route)?

J_Sh

I wish they did Yorkshire Boy but no unfortunately they don't fly on that route

tomB_3

Honestly, I can't believe some of the responses on this forum! You all seem to be siding with the airline. If you give an airline 7 months notice to cancel a flight they should be able to cancel it and give you a refund. I can understand if there was an admin fee for the cancellation but to not offer any refund is theft, plain and simple. The airline would cancel your ticket, give you no refund and then sell on your ticket and make twice the money!
Finally, I can't believe you are saying that it is the fault of J Sh for getting pregnant! It suprises me how small minded some people can be.