Bumped off Easyjet flight - EU law 250 euros compensation?

thebrow2000

Last week I was heading back from Prague on an Easyjet to East Midlands.

I was one of the last 20 people in the Q, when we were told 'sorry due to technical problems Easyjet have sent a smaller plane and you will have to fly to Gatwick. The lady told us, we will get 250 euros compensation.

So far it has not arrived in my account.

Ive investigated this and found information regarding the law on the BBC News website:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3040432.stm

1. Is this law now? Has anyone received it?
2. If yes, do I have to claim it?
3. Has anyone sucessfully claimed compensation from Easyjet?
4. Can I claim my taxi fare and extra days car parking back??

I find it very bad, that just because it is cheap, Easyjet can offer a poor service. Afterall i am buying a service at the price they decide and they should be able to honor it.

dmg24

How much later after the original time did you arrive back at East Mids?

sertav

thebrow2000 wrote: »

'sorry due to technical problems Easyjet have sent a smaller plane and you will have to fly to Gatwick.

Doesn't EZY fly an all-737 fleet, presumably with the same config as well?

bantamfan

From the easyjet website;

The easyJet business model was built on the principle of one type of aircraft that can be utilised throughout the network, at anytime, by any crew. It appeared to be a contradiction when, in December 2002, easyJet signed a deal with Airbus to deliver 120 aircraft to the airline from September 2003 over five years, with 'price protection' on a further 120 Airbus A319 aircraft until 2012. There are a number of noticeable differences between the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A319. The Airbus is bigger and heavier (by some 4 tonnes), and is also around 14" wider. These additional inches create a wider aisle to allow crew and passengers to move around the cabin more easily, also helping to keep turnaround times to a minimum. In addition, the A319 has 156 seats, compared to 149 on the 737s, which means that each flight will require four members of cabin crew.

So there is a difference but only 7 seats - I wonder how many were bumped off.

CCCele

Have a read of this site.

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=306

thebrow2000

dmg24 wrote: »

How much later after the original time did you arrive back at East Mids?

Easyjet offered a coach. But I didnt fancy spending all night on a coach, so myself and two other passengers got a taxi and arrived home at 2am

The orginal flight was due at East Midlands at 10:40pm. It landed at Gatwick at 10:50. By the time I left Gatwick it was 12am. So I would estimate the coach would arrive around 4am at EM - 5 and a half hours later.

EM is only one hour from my house, so at this time it maked a huge difference being sent to Gatwick

thebrow2000

bantamfan wrote: »

From the easyjet website;

The easyJet business model was built on the principle of one type of aircraft that can be utilised throughout the network, at anytime, by any crew. It appeared to be a contradiction when, in December 2002, easyJet signed a deal with Airbus to deliver 120 aircraft to the airline from September 2003 over five years, with 'price protection' on a further 120 Airbus A319 aircraft until 2012. There are a number of noticeable differences between the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A319. The Airbus is bigger and heavier (by some 4 tonnes), and is also around 14" wider. These additional inches create a wider aisle to allow crew and passengers to move around the cabin more easily, also helping to keep turnaround times to a minimum. In addition, the A319 has 156 seats, compared to 149 on the 737s, which means that each flight will require four members of cabin crew.

So there is a difference but only 7 seats - I wonder how many were bumped off.

Between 12 - 20 people. So that looks like overbooking???

dmg24

Firstly, it does not take five and a half hours to get from Gatwick to EMA!

As for whether you are entitled to compensation, it depends on how you interpret the Regs.

If you were bumped off because the flight was overbooked, then you would be entitled to 250 Euros compensation. However, it could be argued that this is not the case because the plane was actually changed due to technical difficulties. If this argument was successful, you would only be entitled to care during your period of delay.

Irrespective of whether you are entitled to the 250 Euros, you are not entitled to claim your taxi fare back. A bus was provided back to EMA, it was your choice to take alternative means of transport.

To make the claim, you need to contact Easyjet.

hammy_the_hammer

" To make the claim, you need to contact Easyjet."

which take it from me is like banging your head against a wall.

our flight returned to a different airport, significantly late and we were bussed to our final destination ...they repeatedly told me it was the final airports fault as it had a curfew.....once i proved that this was totally incorrect with proof from the airport they said it didn't really matter what the reason was !!

dmg24

Give them a call.

If that doesn't work, send them a recorded delivery letter, giving them 14/ 28 days to reply (up to you!).

If no reply, send a copy of the previous letter, stating that you intend to take legal action after 14 days.

If no reply, issue small claims court proceedings.

They'll pay up, just might take a while!

thebrow2000

dmg24 wrote: »

Firstly, it does not take five and a half hours to get from Gatwick to EMA![/quote]

dmg24 wrote: »

As for whether you are entitled to compensation, it depends on how you interpret the Regs.

If you were bumped off because the flight was overbooked, then you would be entitled to 250 Euros compensation. However, it could be argued that this is not the case because the plane was actually changed due to technical difficulties. If this argument was successful, you would only be entitled to care during your period of delay.

Irrespective of whether you are entitled to the 250 Euros, you are not entitled to claim your taxi fare back. A bus was provided back to EMA, it was your choice to take alternative means of transport.

To make the claim, you need to contact Easyjet.

If you take in account the size of Gatwick compared to EM, the waiting for the coach and the slow drive in heavy fog, then it does!!

The reason I fly from EM is because of it size. I can park my car and walk two minutes to check in!!!

If you plan your journey to be home by 12 and you get home at 5, well that unacceptable, especially if it results in a day off work.

These low cost airlines seem to have poor service. Just because I drink at weatherspoons doesnt mean that when I buy a pint I only receive a half!!!