An Oxford-based author has spoken of how his awful travel experience at the hands of Wizz Air led him to instruct Bott and Co to claim flight compensation on his behalf. As soon as their holiday was over, David said that he will never ever travel with Wizz Air again.
David Rose was due to fly to Athens with his wife and 14 year old son on 14 July 2018 when they were faced with chaos on arrival at Luton Airport. Not only did they endure a stressful start to the holiday but their return flight was delayed for just less than eight hours.
Strapped for time, David turned to Bott and Co to fight his corner. When the firm issued court proceedings against Wizz Air and the judge ruled in the passengers favour, the airline still refused to pay out. Bott and Co has since instructed the high court sheriffs to organise compensation for the family.
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Fights at Luton Airport
On the morning of the trip ten Wizz Air flights were scheduled to leave Luton Airport within an hour of each other, with only three bag drop check-in agents dealing with a mob of impatient passengers. This was causing chaos in the departures area.
David explains : “The journey to Athens was absolutely appalling. We got to the airport only to be greeted by a huge queue bursting out into the departures area. Crowds of people were screaming at each other, groups were pushing in and there were near fist-fights as holiday-makers became agitated. I’ve never seen a more chaotic check-in area in all my life.
It was surreal. Being a journalist, I’ve travelled all over the world and visited some fairly ropey airports but nothing was as bad as this. It was the worst check-in experience I’ve ever had.”
We had to run like hell to get to the gate – so much for our plan to have a nice, leisurely breakfast.
After two hours surrounded by mayhem, the family reached the front of the queue but were told the check-in for their flight had closed and was on its last call for boarding.
“I freaked out and we were then allowed to drop our bags and were admitted through.”
The family only just made it onto the flight and after a stressful start to the holiday; they thought it was behind them as they enjoyed their trip.
Eight Hour Delay in Athens
On the return journey, David was hoping for a smoother experience.
“On the way back we were told that our flight was delayed for one and a half hours but the wait became longer and longer and no one from Wizz Air was in sight.”
The family spent the day sitting in Athens Airport without being offered any information or food vouchers. Eventually, they were called to board and arrived back in London eight hours later than planned, at 2am.
Entrusting a law firm to handle our case
“Due to the nature of my job, I can be extremely busy and as I couldn’t get through to the airline to complain I wanted to take the pressure off so researched a company which could help.
Passengers like David and his family should not have to struggle to secure compensation from airlines when there is a law in place to protect and compensate them..
Once home, I immediately did an internet search and found that Bott and Co had the best reputation for handling these cases. They said we were due 400 Euros each and that they would take 25 percent, while they would take care of the case.
I did not have the time to dedicate to putting in a complaint myself and would have probably given up and so to have Bott and Co continuing to fight our case has been well worth it.”
Sending in the bailiffs
“I’m glad we didn’t try to do it ourselves. Over the next few months, Wizz Air tried to reject our claim by falsely stating we were already suing with someone else, refused to answer numerous legal letters and emails from Bott and Co, refused to settle the case leading to court proceedings being issued and then still didn’t pay when the judge ordered them to do so.
Bott and Co has gone on to instruct the high court sheriffs to carry out enforcement action against Wizz Air on our behalf. The firm has been dedicated to our case throughout .”
Coby Benson, Flight Delay Compensation Solicitor at Bott and Co said: “Passengers like David and his family should not have to struggle to secure compensation from airlines when there is a law in place to protect and compensate them.
In this case, we were left with no other option than to instruct the sheriffs after Wizz Air ignored formal letters, court proceedings and a judgment against them. The people this affects most are the passengers themselves who have to wait longer to get what they are legally entitled to.”
David said: “I will never ever under any circumstances travel with this airline again.”
*Based on 10,211 court proceedings issued between May 2013 and February 2016.