On 5th September 2019, Don and Carol Webb, aged 65 and 71, from Nova Scotia, Canada, were due to fly with easyJet from Faro to Luton when they were denied boarding. The explanation they were given was that because they hadn’t checked in online, one member from their party would have to choose not to board.
Having been recommended Bott and Co’s services by a family member, Don and Carol were awarded €400 each in flight delay compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
Told That They Couldn’t Fly – At The Boarding Gate
On 5th September 2019, Don, Carol, Janet and David arrived at Faro Airport just before 8am, in plenty of time for their 10am flight. It was only 45 minutes before their flight was due to take off that they were told there wasn’t enough room for all four of them as there were only three seats available, therefore one person would have to stay put in Portugal.
All four felt very upset with the situation, as their flight back to London marked the final night of the transatlantic trip together. What’s more, due to the vast 3,500km distance between their respective homes in Canada, this would be the last time they would see one another until 2021.
Carol says, “It was a very unsettling predicament. We’d never found ourselves in that situation before and we didn’t know why it had to be us. We asked easyJet staff and they said it’s because we hadn’t checked in online – but we never check in online, and haven’t ever encountered any issues before.”
Reflecting on the difficult decision the group faced, she continues, “There was absolutely no chance that we were going to split a couple up, so we tossed a coin. The outcome was that Don and I would stay behind at Faro Airport while Janet and David continued onwards to Luton.
“David had tears in his eyes, and kept saying that he felt guilty. It was horrible; certainly not the farewell we expected. Our lovely trip ended on a sour note, with our precious last night ruined.”
Why Choose Bott and Co?
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A History Of Success
We have claimed over £77m in flight delay compensation from the airlines.
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Recognised not just within our industry but also by Martin Lewis as “pioneers” in our field.
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On Your Side
Completely independent, our only focus is helping you claim for what you are legally entitled to.
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We are members of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Your claim is in safe hands.
Replacement Flight Travelling To Gatwick Instead Of Luton
The Webbs were inconvenienced even further by their replacement flight, which was travelling to Gatwick Airport instead of Luton Airport. With heavy hearts and knowing they had no other choice, Carol and Don boarded the alternative flight at 11.30am, 90 minutes after their original flight had taken off.
Carol says, “We’re not young people, and who needs the aggravation?”
Justice Is Restored With Bott and Co’s Help
When Carol’s sister-in-law heard of the pair’s travel tribulations, she instantly recommended Bott and Co.
Don and Carol say, “We are delighted with the service of Bott and Co as they have successfully pursued our claim against easyJet for bumping us off a flight from Faro to the UK (due to the fact that easyJet overbooked it) on September 5, 2019.
“It was the principle of the whole thing too – we didn’t suffer a delay, easyJet had purposely overbooked the flight. We received our compensation cheques on December 13.”
Coby Benson, Flight Delay Compensation Solicitor at Bott and Co says, “Airlines often overbook their flights, in anticipation of some passengers not turning up to board. But at times, it can backfire for passengers, with very real consequences, such as the ordeal that our clients Don and Carol went through. These clients are a great example to anybody living outside of the UK wishing to make a claim for flight delay compensation under EU Regulation too.
“We are delighted to have secured €400 each under EU Regulation 261/2004 for the Webbs after the irreversible loss of their time and the inconvenience that they suffered.”