• 

  easyJet

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  U2/EZY (UK) | EC/EJU (Europe) | DS/EZS (Switzerland)

  Airline Type:

  Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Geneva Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Luton Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport

  Year Founded:

  1995

  CEO:

  Johan Lundgren

After a series of delays and a diversion to London Luton Airport (LTN), passengers onboard an easyJet flight were given the opportunity to decide whether to disembark there at Luton or wait more than an hour to be and get off the plane at London Gatwick Airport (LGW). The extraordinary moment was captured in a video on social media.

Democracy?

We have all been onboard a delayed flight, which is a nerve-wracking experience. It alters all your plans and can quickly become a very stressful situation if the airline and crew do not manage it correctly. In Europe, this summer has been called the 'summer of chaos', with thousands of flights canceled, enormous queues through airports, cabin crew, baggage handler, and air traffic controller strikes, and more.

In the case of one easyJet flight, the pilots came up with a controversial solution. They decided to hold an impromptu vote while parked at Luton Airport to see where passengers wanted to disembark. There were two options: either Luton Airport at that moment or Gatwick Airport at least an hour later. Not surprisingly, many decided to get off the plane as soon as possible.

In a video uploaded to Instagram, it can be heard the pilot saying,

“We do not currently know what the Air Traffic Control restriction would be heading towards Gatwick, so we would assume that would be over an hour. So first, we would like to ask those of you who would like to leave the aircraft here at London Luton to please put your hands up.”

What happened afterward?

After the pilot asked who would be interested in leaving the aircraft at London Luton, many passengers held their hands up. Some even held both hands up. An easyJet cabin crew member could be seen in the video counting the hands up. A man is heard commenting that the whole situation is a joke and that the crew may very well play rock paper scissors to decide the future of the flight.

Simple Flying reached the airline for comment. easyJet said,

“This video is taken after the aircraft has landed at Luton and, given its proximity to Gatwick, the pilot is asking if any customers wish to disembark the aircraft or continue to Gatwick warning of a potential air traffic control delay. While air traffic restrictions are outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience this will have caused.”

When a flight is diverted, any decision to land anywhere else rests solely with the pilots. They base their decision on a variety of factors such as safety, weather, and air traffic control restrictions.

According to The Sun, chaos continued after passengers were able to disembark. They were not allowed to get off the plane for two hours because there were no buses available to take them to the terminal, and when luggage was finally delivered, passengers had to wait for the airline to sort taxis.

Who says democracy is dead? What do you think about this decision by the crew? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: The Sun.