EasyJet flight to Portugal delayed after special assistance passenger accidentally put on plane to Bristol

‘How do you manage to lose someone and how did this person get on a separate aircraft without a boarding pass?’, asks bewildered passenger

(Nicholas T Ansell/PA) (PA Wire)

Scottish holidaymakers travelling to Portugal last Wednesday were left in disbelief after a passenger booked onto their flight ended up flying to Bristol.

Those who boarded the flight to Faro were left waiting on the runway as easyJet staff spent an hour trying to locate the passenger.

Displeasure at the delay to their holiday eventually turned to surprise as those waiting were informed that the woman, who reportedly needed special assistance, had been put on the wrong flight.

Passenger Ryan McCormick told Glasgow Live that even before boarding, he “knew something was up”.

“One of the assistance staff was looking for somebody and asking all the elderly female passengers their names. We all boarded and sat waiting to taxi on the runway”.

McCormick added that the captain then told them there was going to be a delay due to a missing passenger.

“Half an hour later we were told they still hadn’t found her and that security couldn’t locate her in any of the terminals. We were delayed for another 45 to 50 minutes and there was police coming on and off the aircraft.

“The pilot told us that the company’s hands were tied and the aircraft couldn’t leave until they found the passenger, [and] 20 minutes later we were told that she was located in Bristol Airport”.

The flight took off after further delays for the woman’s baggage to be taken off the aircraft and screened. She was eventually put on a flight to Faro after being found at Bristol Airport.

McCormick questioned how any of this was even possible, asking: “How do you manage to lose someone and how did this person get on a separate aircraft without a boarding pass?

“If she was with a member of staff I assume they had her passport. How is it possible to end up in the wrong country?”

In a comment to The Independent, an easyJet spokesperson confirmed that “a passenger boarded the incorrect aircraft at Glasgow Airport on Wednesday 10 May and travelled to Bristol. As soon as this was realised, it was arranged for them to fly from Bristol to Faro, their original destination. The passenger was looked after by our team throughout.

“The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s number one priority. We are currently investigating with the airport and their special assistance provider, and our ground handler at Glasgow how the passenger boarded the wrong flight. 

“We would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.”