All day on a plane... and returned to departure airport! No compensation due

Bendy12

Not sure I can do anything about this, as I've been through arbitration & lost.  But thought you guys might be interested:

Early flight out of Gatwick on Easyjet (1 adult, 2 kids)

3hr to destination (Tivat, Montenegro) but bad weather forces 1hr detour to neighbouring country (Zagreb, Croatia)

On the ground 2hrs.  

No water in bathrooms. No food (e.g. proper food: sandwiches, noodles - there were chocolate bars & crisps!)

Not allowed off with hold baggage. No coaches (appx 9hrs coach journey to original destination)

Weather clears up at destination (other planes land)

Plane instead returns to Gatwick

‘To continue scheduled flying programme…(avoid) cancellation to further passengers’

Land Gatwick, 8hrs after departure.

Airline & Arbitrator (Aviation ADR): ‘no compensation due, adverse weather’

I guess I could go civil courts at this point - but not sure I have the energy after being knocked back by the arbitrator.  

b

la531983

Yup, the airlines cant control the weather. I had to spend an extra 24 hours on an island once because of a sandstorm, I got nothing for that either (although I knew that at the time).

Dont waste your money and time perusing a court claim for "compo", you will likely get nowhere. Out of pocket expenses are another matter, if there are any.

silvercar

No compensation but there was a duty of care. The airline should have still flown you to your destination and provided accommodation and food until they could do so.

Bendy12

Should have said, yes we were supplied a flight about 3 days later, so eventually got there.
Just never heard of an 8hr round trip to the same airport! 

la531983

Bendy12 said:

Should have said, yes we were supplied a flight about 3 days later, so eventually got there.
Just never heard of an 8hr round trip to the same airport! 

Ahem

https://www.businessinsider.com/airline-passengers-delay-dubai-emirates-flight-auckland-2023-1

Bendy12

Wowsers!  Ok, it could have been worse...

Westin

“No food (e.g. proper food: sandwiches, noodles - there were chocolate bars & crisps!)”

EasyJet would normally provide light refreshments to delayed passengers. It is very difficult if not impossible for them to uplift spare catering at a diversion airport.  Whilst not clearly mentioned in your report I suspect those chocolate bars & crisps were given from their bar service as complimentary- that as well as a soft beverage or hot drink.  You therefore unlikely had extra costs from that aspect.

If they had on board you could still purchase sandwiches, pot noddle/rice or the hot pasta dish they serve.

Bendy12

Actually, it was emailed beforehand the plane wouldn't be properly stocked - maybe something to do with a tight turnaround?   In any case, they knew about it and no sandwiches/noodles/rice to be purchased whatsoever - none on board.  And, no running water in the bathrooms (but bottled water supplied for drinking).  Appreciate they wouldn't have a deal at Zagreb, and this was an out-of-the-ordinary situation, but still, awful experience