EasyJet pilot offers passengers cash to get off plane
An easyJet pilot offered passengers cash to give up their seats after he realised the plane was too heavy to get off the ground.
He initially offered €250 per passenger, plus an overnight hotel but it wasn’t until he upped the offer to €400 each that four passengers voluntary left the aircraft, said the Daily Mail.
Flight EZY8365 from Gatwick to Bari in Italy was delayed on the tarmac for 50 minutes while the pilot negotiated with passengers, said the newspaper.
One passenger told reporters that the pilot had said unless there were volunteers, the last four people to check in would have to leave. When four people volunteered there were cheers onboard, it said.
EasyJet confirmed to the Daily Mail that four passengers were asked to give up their seats because the aircraft was over its maximum take-off weight.
"This occasionally happens due to factors such as unexpected weather conditions or heavier-than-expected luggage," she said.
"Volunteers are paid according to EU regulations which is based on the distance of the flight.
"Unfortunately the pilot was given incorrect information initially and so later corrected the amount the passengers were entitled to. No bartering took place."
EU regulations state that passengers who are denied boarding are entitled to €400 for flights over 1,500kms.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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