Easyjet - Am I being conned?

Refund_Queen

Hi,
I have recently booked a flight for 4 of us on an easyjet flight, 2 adults and 2 children under 5. When I booked it online I paid about £40 for their 'speedy boarding' option. They do not allocate seats but offer this speedy boarding instead. As eayjet say; 'you'll be the first to be called for your flight regardless of when you check-in. First on board, first choice of seats.'

As we are travelling with young children, we naturally want the best opportunity of sitting with them and so I paid (did think at the time if all passengers did this then what would happen, but with my parent head on i paid anyway).

So all booked and paid for. Next I email a query about how many seats they have per row, as someone told me they only do 3 seats together. And they have just responded to my query. But in it it also says they following;

Thank you for your e-mail about our seating.

I am pleased to confirm that easyJet offers a free seating policy. This means that if you check in early you will be given a lower boarding pass letter at check in and be called first for boarding. We board passengers in boarding group A first, followed by groups B, C and D.

We have found that by offering a free seating policy, it encourages people to check in and get to the boarding gate early meaning the boarding process is faster and delays are less likely.

We also offer passengers travelling with children under 5 and those needing assistance the opportunity to board the aircraft before group A.

So, reading this, there was no need for me to pay around £40 for this service, when its already provided as standard! On this basis, I have just sent them another email asking them if I could have a refund.

What do you think, any comments much appreciated.
Thanks

barbie_babe

I flew with easyjet with husband and four children i didnt pay anything extra and we were put on first. We were at the back of the queue and they called all children forward to front.(with there adults of course) Luckly there is six of us so my husband and i had to take two children each. But we were seated before any one else got on.

p.s hope you get the refund.

penniesforme

most no-frill airlines gives priority to adults travelling with kids.

My past experiences with easyjet has been good. just explain the situation with them and see what they sa. they may offer you vouchers to spend onboard rather than full refund, but still...better than nothing

Refund_Queen

Thanks for that info, I havent flown since I was a child and dont really know whats the norm.

Do think though that if their standard practice is to board passengers with children first, then they should mentioned that in their speedy boarding description.

Sarahjovi

We got priority boarding with our 2 children on easyjet. We went on via the back steps and sat at the back! with the children in window seats and us sat next to them. However I didn't realise the loo was opposite our row, but no one sat in the aisle seat, so we had a spare seat next to us! And it was handy for the kids to nip to the loo, without us parading up the aisle with them!

Sarah

exel1966

The vast majority of airlines, whether they be scheduled, charter or lo-cost will give priority boarding to those with small children as it is assumed they need a little extra time to get the kids sat and strapped into their seats. Basically comes down to the boarding process being quicker by doing it that way.

Personally I think it's better to board last especially when using a scheduled airline. That way you generally have free pick of the available seating which can often mean having a complete row to yourself.

humancoin

...but you were not conned.

supermum4

Hi it tells you on their website somewhere about boarding with children, we got boarded early with our children and didn't have to pay for it. I don't think they will refund you, as it tells you on the site that travelling with children you get priority. but you can try you have nothing to lose and £40 to gain, best of luck

carol_a_3

Ryanair always used to call families with children forward to board first but now, unless you've paid for their "priority boarding" service whereby you get put in a seperate queue and get on first, you have to just queue with everyone else and take pot luck. I have noticed though that if families are split up the cabin crew try to shuffle people around to accomodate them. No doubt other airlines will follow this trend eventually as it makes them more money.

richardw

I have found that a clear, strong 'Signed For' letter to them by snail mail, has a good effect, a physical piece of complaint is more effective than an e mail in a computer.

xinran

When we flew with Easyjet last month, they called those who had paid for Priority Boarding first, and then they call those with children, then finally the rest.

Even though we had children, we didn't make it into the first busload, and were effectively at no advantage.

So if you have paid for Priority Boarding, you are at least guaranteed to be on amongst the first on.

I'm sure I've read that they have limited priority boarding, so you will never get a plane load who have all booked to go on first.