Easyjet 2030 ACE-MAN

RiversandRoads88

Hi all,

I'm sure this is the millionth time someone has posted about something to do with an easyjet claim, but here goes...

My partner and I were due to fly back from Lanzarote to Manchester on 13th September but the plane we were meant to take was delayed leaving Manchester. It was the one that was all over the news for colliding with a tug. Long story short, we were left waiting in Lanzarote Arrecife airport for 9.5 hours while they sent a replacement aircraft, eventually arriving in Manchester too late to make our onward journey home to the Lake District; all trains had stopped running by the time we reclaimed our luggage, we had no other way of getting home, so had no choice but to take a room at the nearest hotel, which cost (an frankly ridiculous) £220.

We, like everyone else on the flight, thought Easyjet would compensate us for such a lengthy delay (which would effectively cover the cost of our hotel) but the airline has refused to compensate anyone, both from our ACE-MAN flight and the MAN-ACE flight that preceded it, claiming that they were not responsible for the tug colliding with the plane. They've also stated that they will not compensate for any onward journey delays once the plane has landed. So basically they're wiping their hands of it.

So, basically, do I have any recourse?

The thing is, for me it's now a point of principle. I'm fortunate in that, while I'm by no means flush, I was able to cover the cost of the hotel that we had no choice but to stay in - but others aren't. People use budget airlines because times are hard and it's often the only way they can afford to take their families on a break, so for other who, like me, were stranded at the airport, I know for a fact that some had to simply find a seat and try to sleep at the airport until morning. This is who I feel Easyjet are turning their backs on.

Thank you in advance for any replies, they'll be very much appreciated

TheMilkmansDad

What has your insurance provider said about this as I believe EasyJet are correct.

Caz3121

it is worth checking your policy although some may only offer a token amount after a period of 12 hours.
The contract with the airline ends when they get you back to the destination airport so not responsible for costs incurred after than point. Hopefully your insurance may cover something.

bagand96

They are correct that once they get you to your destination they are not liable for any consequential costs, no matter how late they get you there.  Their contract is to get you to the destination airport and the Flight Cancellation/Delay Regulations don't cover this scenario.  Your travel insurance may have cover.

In terms of compensation for the delay their refusal will be based on it being "extraordinary circumstances".  You may wish to challenge that if you believe the tug accident is not extraordinary.  They may also cite third party outside of their control - although they employ the handling agents. A few routes to escalate an EC261 refusal, ADR, small claims court etc

Grumpy_chap

RiversandRoads88 said:

we had no other way of getting home, so had no choice but to take a room at the nearest hotel, which cost (an frankly ridiculous) £220.

Why did you have to go to the nearest hotel if you felt the cost was not amenable?
There are many options for hotels and it is easy at any time of day or night to use online booking apps to select a hotel that better suits the budget and easy enough to get to with a taxi.

la531983

Grumpy_chap said:

RiversandRoads88 said:

we had no other way of getting home, so had no choice but to take a room at the nearest hotel, which cost (an frankly ridiculous) £220.

Why did you have to go to the nearest hotel if you felt the cost was not amenable?
There are many options for hotels and it is easy at any time of day or night to use online booking apps to select a hotel that better suits the budget and easy enough to get to with a taxi.

Suspect they walked along the walkway to the Radisson. Plenty of cheaper hotels on the MAN complex.

RiversandRoads88

TheMilkmansDad said:

What has your insurance provider said about this as I believe EasyJet are correct.

Thanks @TheMilkmansDad - I've enquired with my insurance; still waiting to hear back.

RiversandRoads88

bagand96 said:

They are correct that once they get you to your destination they are not liable for any consequential costs, no matter how late they get you there.  Their contract is to get you to the destination airport and the Flight Cancellation/Delay Regulations don't cover this scenario.  Your travel insurance may have cover.

In terms of compensation for the delay their refusal will be based on it being "extraordinary circumstances".  You may wish to challenge that if you believe the tug accident is not extraordinary.  They may also cite third party outside of their control - although they employ the handling agents. A few routes to escalate an EC261 refusal, ADR, small claims court etc

Thanks. Yes, I've heard other people who were on the preceding flight (MAN-ACE, the plane that was hit by the tug) saying the same - that when asked, easyjet staff on the ground at MAN told them the tug driver was part of easyjet staff. But in their compensation claim reply the airline have denied this. Thanks for the info, I'll look into EC261, etc.

RiversandRoads88

Grumpy_chap said:

RiversandRoads88 said:

we had no other way of getting home, so had no choice but to take a room at the nearest hotel, which cost (an frankly ridiculous) £220.

Why did you have to go to the nearest hotel if you felt the cost was not amenable?
There are many options for hotels and it is easy at any time of day or night to use online booking apps to select a hotel that better suits the budget and easy enough to get to with a taxi.

So this is why you call yourself 'Grump Chap', eh? The hotel is not the issue; as I said in the OP, I can absorb that cost, the core issue is the airline washing their hands of all responsibility. As for why that hotel: we'd been 'travelling' for almost 16 hours, were exhausted and needed to be as close to the station as possible to ensure we didn't miss the first train home as we had work commitments. Also, my partner is coeliac, so if you've ever tried to find suitable food on-the-go you'll know that it's nigh-on impossible in this country. But there is an outlet in the neighbouring terminal that offers some options, meaning we would be close enough to grab food before catching the train.