EasyJet changed flight even though my original flight is still on

Plumjam

Wonder if anyone has any advice or experience of this.  I am due to fly to Turkey for a few days next May.  I booked a return flight at 13.45 but EasyJet have notified me that they have changed it to 23.05.  The flight at 13.45 is still on, still being sold and, if I go to 'my booking', I can change the 23.05 flight back to the original for £55 per person (there are 6 of us flying so a considerable amount)!  Surely this can't be legal - we paid for the flights we wanted and, even at the time, paid a little bit more for good flight times.  I have completed a 'contact us' form on easyJet website but know that they don't get back very quickly and am concerned that by the time they read my email, that they'll have sold my seats.  This is obviously a money making exercise as the flights are selling for quite a bit more than Impaid for them.  Any advice anyone?
Thanks is advance.

maman

I'm interested in your responses because I've got an afternoon flight booked for June. 
Meanwhile, have you tried calling them? I called them 2 weeks ago and got through fairly easily. 

TimSynths

Not surprised. In July they changed our departure airport from Gatwick to Luton without telling us, it was only by fluke one of the party was in the App 3 days before and spotted it, then the day before we were scheduled to go they cancelled the return flight- again zero notification, fortunately we were able to book another flight with them returning to Luton so we managed to square that circle.

Westin

Can you post the flight routing, flight number and date?

Plumjam

It's Dalaman to Gatwick, 19th May 2021.  Should be departing at 13.05, now flight number 8848 departing Dalaman at 23.05.

Westin

I agree that it seems strange/wrong that you are now on 19MAY EZY8848 DLM2305 LGW0120 if you originally selected and booked 19MAY EZY8844 DLM1345 LGW1610.  Does EZY8844 definitely appear on your original flight confirmation paperwork?

Given both services still showing available and for sale a mistake made somewhere. EasyJet certainly should not move you from one flight to another if the original flight is still open and available.

I know you have completed a Contact Us form on the website but you might be best in this instance to call them.  I don’t think you will find that call wait times are that bad.  My son actually got through to them last week with just a few rings.

J_B

Westin said:

.................... but you might be best in this instance to call them.  I don’t think you will find that call wait times are that bad.  My son actually got through to them last week with just a few rings.

I phoned last week and 'only' waited 5 (?) minutes

Plumjam

Thanks for all your replies.  I called easyJet yesterday just after 7am and got through very quickly.  First of all, the man I spoke to said he couldn't do anything because someone had requested a refund.  I soon put him right on that one.  He then said he had a technical issue and would call me back in an hour.  He actually called back within 5 minutes, asked if I wanted the original flight and then transferred me back to that one.  He said that maybe easyJet were thinking of cancelling the flight which is why they had moved me.  I don't believe that for a minute - I honestly think they are trying to sell the seats at a higher price.  I checked the price of the flights whilst I was talking to the agent and as soon as he had transferred me back, the flight price increased by £26.  My sister is travelling on the same flight and has also had hers changed.  Hopefully, she'll call them today and get hers changed back so we can travel together.

Westin

Plumjam said:

Thanks for all your replies.  I called easyJet yesterday just after 7am and got through very quickly.  First of all, the man I spoke to said he couldn't do anything because someone had requested a refund.  I soon put him right on that one.  He then said he had a technical issue and would call me back in an hour.  He actually called back within 5 minutes, asked if I wanted the original flight and then transferred me back to that one.  He said that maybe easyJet were thinking of cancelling the flight which is why they had moved me.  I don't believe that for a minute - I honestly think they are trying to sell the seats at a higher price.  I checked the price of the flights whilst I was talking to the agent and as soon as he had transferred me back, the flight price increased by £26.  My sister is travelling on the same flight and has also had hers changed.  Hopefully, she'll call them today and get hers changed back so we can travel together.

Very glad that it worked out for you.  Calling them you the result you wanted.

I really doubt the issue was as you suspect.  Probably just an error somewhere. They really don’t have time to play those games to gain a few quid.  

The price increased on flight EZY8844 after your new reservation on to it probably because of the way airline pricing works and the fare buckets.  Xx seats at one price before the price increases slightly in the next group of xx seats. 

Thanks for returning to update the thread. Always useful as others in similar situations can see how you approached the issue and gained resolution.

maman

Thanks for the update. I'm going to keep checking my own June flight just in case. 😊

ScoobyZ

Same happened to me. Two flights Gatwick to Dalaman August 2021 - Dalaman to Gatwick Sept next year (Return).  I’m going to call them.


Update: On phone to them now, they tried to say it was social distancing but agreed there was only 44 people on flight for August 2021! They are just swapping them back now. What a con, I'm glad I checked.


Update sorted: Slightly different seats (as had extra leg room one way and sat together back) It looks like there was a plane change and they switched me to different flights. On a positive note Easyjet lady sorted first time.