Passengers were left shocked at Manchester Airport when a Jet2 flight bound for Spain departed without them. The group of travelers had their passports checked and boarding passes scanned before being left waiting in a stairwell for up to 40 minutes with no explanation.
Despite expecting to board the plane or be led to a bus, the passengers were taken by surprise as the aircraft took off without them. Around 35 passengers were affected by what Jet2 referred to as an ‘error in the stairwell directions,’ prompting the airline to issue apologies and prioritize resolving the situation urgently.
One passenger, Matt, shared his disbelief at the incident, emphasizing that such an occurrence was unprecedented according to Jet2 staff. He described arriving at the airport on time, passing security smoothly, and being among the passengers waiting to board the flight to Alicante.
Matt recounted the confusion that ensued as passengers followed each other down the stairs, expecting to be guided to the plane via a bus. Their wait turned into frustration as they realized the doors remained shut, and eventually, an airport employee informed them that the plane had departed without them.
Expressing astonishment at the lack of a headcount procedure, Matt highlighted the airline’s oversight in failing to ensure all passengers were on board. Despite the inconvenience, Jet2 provided affected passengers with a £10 voucher while arranging alternative flights to Alicante.
In response to the incident, a Jet2 spokesperson acknowledged the situation and reassured that the affected customers were being assisted and rebooked on other flights promptly. Apologies were extended to those inconvenienced by the unexpected turn of events.