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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Stranded in Egypt, Easyjet are useless.

30 replies

Joco34 · 30/08/2023 16:56

Stranded in Egypt since Monday when our flights were cancelled due to the control tower issues. Placed in a hotel for the night then asked to leave the following morning as easyjet would only pay for one night. Eventually sorted and can stay (there are other groups in same situation here as us) but so much stress. Easyjet have NO reps here and it's all done online. Cannot get through by phone or online chat, Facebook group, via hotel, have contacted embassy/consulate, papers etc. Our earliest flight is next Monday 4th September at 22.00. A whole week stranded here. My children will miss first day back at school, we have commitments and animals at home which has been so stressful trying to sort with poor Internet. We have had 2 emails from Easyjet saying a load of waffle from an email we cannot reply to. Feel abandoned and so angry. Lots of people in this situation but I cannot believe that Easyjet doesn't have reps here and its all done online, what good is that. There are no flights and no updates. There are people with medical issues and running out of supplies and medication. Does anyone have any suggestions please? Thank you

OP posts:

justanothernamechangemonday · 30/08/2023 16:57

Take to social media. Bombard them

DazedandConcerned · 30/08/2023 16:59

[email protected]

if you have money to pay for a new flight and claim back - Pegasus is very cheap and a fantastic little airline. If it’s Hurghada I have loads of friends out there - just in case you need help.

Summerisawashout · 30/08/2023 16:59

That sounds really stressful. Do you have travel insurance? If so, it's worth checking if you can return with another airline.

Worst case, pay for return flights on a different airline yourselves and suck up the cost if you can't claim it.

Growlybear83 · 30/08/2023 17:10

If easyJet won't help, then you should be able to book new flights with another airline and claim off your travel insurance.

Kimten · 30/08/2023 17:16

Where in Egypt are you?

Nowthenhere · 30/08/2023 17:19

This is an absolute nightmare especially with children. Can you in any way make it a new holiday? Book flights to another country with accommodation etc? You've confirmed that they are not starting school on time, you cannot get back for animals etc so being stranded else where might make it less scary?

NewIdeasToday · 30/08/2023 17:30

Can you book flights with a different airline and try to reclaim costs via your travel insurance?

Iam4eels · 30/08/2023 17:36

Contact your insurance company and see what you're covered for with regard to hotel/food/costs and onward travel, get them to help you sort it out.

Madcats · 30/08/2023 17:40

Assuming that you are in Sharm el Sheik there are/were Easyjet flights to Gatwick tonight (at least 2 spaces) and flights to Bristol on Saturday.

Would they do?

waterrat · 30/08/2023 17:41

I would stop waiting for easy jet and buy new flights home

PlanningTowns · 30/08/2023 17:44

Because of the circumstances I think it will need to be a claim through your insurance company.

different options available (so discuss with them first).

wait until the next easyJet flight and use it as an extra holiday keeping receipts for everything (check limits with insurance) and try not to stress
try and find a flight with someone else
try and get a flight to elsewhere (maybe paris or Lille) and connect to the Eurostar back to London then onwards

i don’t think easyJet have reps do they? I just assumed they put holidays together but it’s cheaper because of the lack of reps etc.

maybe have a look at the money saving expert too as I’m sure there will be some chats there about everything.

remember this is outside the airlines control and totally exceptional circumstance.

LlynTegid · 30/08/2023 17:45

Low cost airlines don't do reps, don't have much extra/standby to give support for the unexpected, so what you describe is not a surprise.

Get another flight from whichever airline can take you, then claim.

TheAOEAztec · 30/08/2023 17:50

From what I read there are about 200 000 people stranded. Social media will do nothing. I agree with others about contacting insurance

travelallthetime · 30/08/2023 17:51

Im a travle agent (hence the name). Did you book an Easyjet package or separate, it makes a difference. You can ask easyjet to put you on another airlines flight to get you home earlier or you can book it yourself and try and claim it back. THye should be paying for accomodation and food costs too

Dutch1e · 30/08/2023 17:53

At this point I'd be phoning my travel insurer to ask what the process is for getting home.

TheAOEAztec · 30/08/2023 17:55

THye should be paying for accomodation and food costs too

I think airlines are now arguing that it is not their fault hence don't need to pay this or compensations

Frenchfancy · 30/08/2023 17:57

Your insurance company should be who you are calling. Don't waste your time with easyJet, they have already given you their answer.

mummymeister · 30/08/2023 18:17

low cost airlines are low cost for a reason. they dont spend money on reps, customer service etc they just do the bare minimum to get you from a to b. yes its a complete shitshow but thats what travel insurance is for.

Lastchancechica · 30/08/2023 18:23

For those with emergency medical issues without supplies, if they are unable to locate a dr to help your next step is the consulate.
They can assist.

If you fly to any major capital city - Paris being the easiest connecting with a Eurostar, train or flight may be easier.

GrumpyPanda · 30/08/2023 18:24

They have to book you onto other airlines' flights if those are earlier. I'd research availability - anything on KLM, Lufthansa, etc? Then call EasyJet and ask to be put on those specific flights. I've always had good luck reaching airlines by using a phone app, e.g. the Skype out function in Skype, just put a tenner in your account, and then looking up their customer service numbers for any country likely to have an office open. Could even be the US East coast at this hour..

Figgygal · 30/08/2023 18:30

Tbf to easyjet if you booked a package its clear in the small print they have no reps, they're great the majority of the time but yes when goes wrong its a nightmare.

Things to try:
Try your travel insurance, book onto an alternative earlier flight and claim cost back, keep all receipts.
We were cancelled by EJ last year you have my sympathies

berksandbeyond · 30/08/2023 18:31

Sort it yourself and claim through travel insurance. What kind of hotel are you in, in 2023, that doesn’t have Wi-Fi?
if you don’t have travel insurance then you just learned a very expensive lesson, but be grateful you didn’t get hurt, sick or die out there instead

Castall · 30/08/2023 18:36

@Joco34

its a horrid situation and I do feel for you.

overall the real issue is the way we buy flights purely on cost. Meaning all airways do flight too cheap, we fly to much and then when something goes wrong there is no flex or staff to help.

I have effectively stopped flying as I can thandle the shit and hassle anymore

good luck getting back and well I hope you can make the best of it.

Tippexy · 30/08/2023 18:40

What did your travel insurance company say when you called them @Joco34?

notimagain · 30/08/2023 18:55

TheAOEAztec · 30/08/2023 17:55

THye should be paying for accomodation and food costs too

I think airlines are now arguing that it is not their fault hence don't need to pay this or compensations

Not heard that but have heard the airlines reckon NATS should be footing the bill (but they won't).

As it stands and AFAIK the airlines should cover the cost of accommodation and food, but there's no actual compensation due.

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