Common Ryanair cost-saving tactic backfires as furious holidaymaker booted off flight
A furious Ryanair passenger vowed he will 'never fly with the airline again' after what a common money-saving plan eventually cost him his seat on the flight.
Scott McCormick and his girlfriend, Helena Boshwick, both 33, were set to fly from Birmingham Airport on May 1 to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a week-long break and gym mentorship event.
The couple chose not to reserve seats - which typically costs between £4.50 and £33 per seat - prior to boarding as they 'didn't mind' sitting apart during the two-hour flight.
A common tactic among Ryanair and low-cost carrier customers is to skip seat selection and rely on random allocation during check-in to save money on seat fees.
This can be a gamble, as passengers might not get a seat next to their travel companions - or they could find themselves wedged in between two strangers if they've been assigned a less-desirable middle seat.
However, by checking in as late as possible within the 24-hour window, customers might increase their chances of getting a better seat.
But according to Scott, Ryanair gate staff told the couple the flight was full and there was only one available seat left once all passengers had boarded.
The fitness mentor, from Birmingham, West Midlands, said: 'We checked in the night before and we didn't reserve a seat but you normally just get a random one.
Ryanair gate staff reportedly told the couple - who did not reserve seats during check-in - that there was only one available seat left once all other passengers had boarded
'Me and my partner thought it's not that much of a problem if we're not sitting together for a two-hour flight, we're adults here.
He added: 'We were the first ones at the gate ready for boarding. The lady scanned our boarding passes and told us to step to the side for a second. That moment was a red flag, I thought: "There's something happening here".'
'When everyone boarded, she said: "the plane is full, there's only one seat remaining and we will have to reimburse you for the other seat or you'll have to get on the next flight".'
The news led to Scott and his girlfriend having a 'meltdown' as they had wanted to catch the same flight and arrive to their destination together.
He explained: 'There was no compassion or care whatsoever. After going back and forth we said we're not going to take separate flights and be in separate countries for hours.'
The gym owner claims they protested and were finally told that they could both get on the next flight and receive a refund for both tickets.
Scott added: 'I asked if we can have that in writing or an email for them to confirm it in some way. They said it's on the system, and when we go to ticket sales, they will reimburse us and we can get on the next flight.'
But when the couple went to the check-in desk again, they were reportedly told they still had to pay for one of the tickets - while Scott claims he never received a refund.
The couple reportedly shelled out a further £100 on a new ticket and waited four hours for the next departing flight to Palma (Pictured: Scott in Palma de Mallorca after arriving hours later)
According to the holidaymaker, one of the seats had been marked in the system as a cancelled booking, while the other was put down as a missed flight - meaning the pair would be reimbursed for one while the other had to be paid for.
The couple reportedly shelled out a further £100 on a new ticket and waited four hours for the next departing flight to Palma.
Though the pair were assured that a refund would be processed for one of the tickets, Scott claims he has still not received it or heard from Ryanair.
He claims the experience felt like 'discrimination,' and that the couple were singled out because they are 'young' and childfree.
The fitness fanatic said he will now avoid flying with the airline due to the staff members' 'lack of compassion.'
Scott said: 'Ryanair should have asked all passengers if anyone would like to volunteer their seats.
'It felt like discrimination, how do they pick out these people, is it because we're young and we have no kids so there's just two of us, is it to do with something we don't see or understand.
'There was so much of it that was really frustrating, and it's the lack of care, no empathy. You can be bawling your eyes out and they just don't care, they're dead pan.'
'We just had to get over what happened, it was a terrible way to start a holiday. They said at ticket sales they would be doing this themselves and get everything over and start the process so I haven't formally complained.
'I don't think they did, I definitely haven't got the money back. We just got caught in a big company's terms and conditions. I would avoid it [Ryanair] if I could now. Why am I being singled out?'
When Scott shared his ordeal on social media, many were shocked to hear that airlines might overbook a flight - though some suggested reserving a seat can help avoid being 'singled out' for not getting aboard.
One person said: "Prepay for a seat, then problem solved. ALL airlines do this."
When someone suggested queuing early to ensure you get a seat, another swiped: 'Or just book your seat.'
A third wrote: 'This is crazy! Surely if you pay and don't reserve a seat, you still paid with the intention of getting on a flight how can they not allow you on?'
A fourth echoed the opinion of many commenters and said: 'Why do people still fly with Ryanair? It blows my mind! It's the most awful airline.'
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