Easyjet says sorry for charging volunteer doctor for a Kit Kat
EasyJet has apologised for ‘not getting it right’ after charging a retired doctor, who had helped an elderly passenger during one of its flights, for a Kit Kat.
Dr Edward Southall, from Devon, contacted The Independent newspaper to complain that his goodwill was underappreciated by the airline after he had looked after an elderly Greek woman who was taken ill during an easyJet flight from Gatwick to Thessaloniki.
Using the on-board first aid kit, he listened to her chest, took her blood pressure and pulse and monitored her until she eventually fell asleep.
The retired GP believes his actions helped to avoid the plane being diverted.
Later in the flight, when the refreshments trolley was brought round, he asked for a coffee and a Kit Kat and although he was told he could have the coffee for free, he was charged £1.20 for the Kit Kat.
Feeling the charge was inappropriate, he later emailed the airline’s public affairs office to question its policy on recognising volunteer health professionals.
Eventually, easyJet customer services responded offering him one free piece of checked luggage, just one way, on his next easyJet flight, worth around £20.
He then wrote to The Independent, explaining: "I do not care about free KitKats or hold luggage. It is the principle of how much our goodwill saves them."
A spokesman for easyJet told the Independent a diversion was unlikely, but added: "EasyJet is grateful for the help Dr Southall provided to our crew and to the many doctors and medical professionals who assist passengers onboard each year.
"We are sorry we didn’t get this right on this occasion and would like to offer Dr Southall a free flight as a gesture of goodwill."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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