A wheelchair user has called out Easyjet online for its ‘Special Assistance’ policy that bans disabled people from flying alone – meaning they have to shell out double to travel with a companion.
Katie Pennick, 23, from London, shared a series of direct messages exchanged with the airline on Twitter in a now viral post.
She tweeted that the company requires passengers in wheelchairs pay double that of able-bodied passengers as they have to travel with someone else, who is required to purchase a full-price ticket.
Having asked if she was able to fly unaccompanied on an Easyjet flight, Katie was told no, with the staff member replying: ‘Airline staff aren’t allowed to offer assistance due to health and safety rules (they’re not even allowed to put passengers bags in the overhead lockers).’
They went on to clarify that the mandatory companion could buy a ticket for the same price as the disabled flyer, but there were no other concessions available.
Katie Pennick, 23, from London, shared her exchange with Easyjet online in a now viral Twitter post, hashtagging it #TheCostOfBeingDisabled
The wheelchair user, who had asked for clarification on whether she could fly unaccompanied, was told that she couldn’t fly alone and would have to pay for a full price ticket for a companion
Thousands responded to Katie’s Twitter post, expressing horror over the statements made by a representative for the budget airline.
One commented: ‘Total rubbish. Of course onboard staff have to help. They are legally required to be trained to do so and insured as well. It’s time the airline industry woke up.’
Katie highlighted their official policy in a now viral tweet, sharing screenshots of the conversations.
She tweeted: ‘Disabled passengers are not permitted to fly unaccompanied. Is there a concession for this *mandatory* companion ticket? No.’
Katie shared screenshots of her exchange with easyJet online, calling it ‘a breach of the Equality Act’
The wheelchair user requested clarification from the company as to their policy for disabled passengers with limited mobility flying alone
She went on: ‘It’s either pay double or don’t fly at all. I fail to see how this is not a breach of the Equality Act.’
She hashtagged the post #TheCostOfBeingDisabled.
In an exchange with a representative for the company, she asked for clarification on the policy, saying: ‘Can you please confirm that it is your policy to not allow disabled passengers with limited mobility – who cannot independently make their way to exits in an emergency – to fly unaccompanied?’
The Easyjet employee responded: ‘I’m afraid so, this is because airline staff aren’t allowed to offer assistance due to health and safety rules (they’re not even allowed to put passengers bags in overhead lockers).
‘This is why we advise on our website that if you do require assistance onboard you would need to bring a companion.’
Katie went on to ask: ‘So do you offer concessions for companions, considering we are not permitted to travel without them?’
The company representative responded: ‘Our prices go up as each seat sells, so we guarantee that we’ll charge your companion the same amount that you paid, and no more.’
Katie’s tweet, which has been liked by more than 2,000 people, was met with uproar, with hundreds commenting on the policy, deeming it ‘total rubbish’, ‘a disgrace’ and ‘outrageous’.
One wrote: ‘Really? This is a disgrace. Obvious discrimination. Easyjet should just print all welcome unless you are disabled. We should take our money elsewhere.’
Another commented: ‘A carer’s/companion’s ticket needs to be provided for free if those with limited mobility are unable to travel without one. Otherwise, a person’s freedom to travel as others do, is seriously restricted.’
One added: ‘Not even allowed to put bags in overhead lockers?? That’s a load of rubbish.
Twitter users were left stunned by the exchange, with thousands responding to the post online. branding it ‘outrageous’
‘I’ve seen plenty of air stewardess helping out, pushing (actually shoving/squashing) bags in overhead lockers! I hope you’ve done something about this.’
In a statement, a spokesperson for Easyjet said: ‘EasyJet flies 1000s of passengers everyday who require special assistance and we do our utmost to identify passenger needs and enhance the quality of their experience at the airport and onboard.
‘As part of easyJet’s special assistance service, and in order to ensure the correct assistance is organised for them, passengers with reduced mobility are required to answer several safety questions regarding their requirements prior to their flight.
‘This is in place for their safety and that of everyone onboard. Only if these safety requirements can’t be met would we ask for them to travel with a companion and if this is the case we will guarantee that the cost of the companion’s seat is no more than the first passenger paid, regardless of when the flight was booked.
‘The safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is our highest priority and we do our best to ensure that all passengers can fly with us safely and comfortably. We have made direct contact with Katie to discuss this with her.’