Ryanair hits back at couple who failed with their money-saving tactic in hilarious post
Ryanair has hilariously hit back at a couple who vowed they will 'never fly with the airline again' after their money-saving tactic backfired and eventually cost them their seats.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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)
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.
More than 37,000 people have liked the post, and over 1,000 have commented in appreciation for the airline's audacity.
'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?'
Ryanair has now shared a response to Scott and Helena's complaints, simply saying: 'Today is a good day to separate couples onboard.'
More than 37,000 people have liked the post, and over 1,000 have commented in appreciation for the airline's audacity.
One cheeky person commented: 'Next time we want to break up, we'll just book with you.'
Another knowingly added: 'Why stop there, put em on different planes.'
And a third joked: 'You are the reason I only fly with you when I travel with my wife!'
One person even revealed someone had once offered to swap seats on a Ryanair flight, so she could sit next to her husband.
'I politely declined!' she quickly added.
It comes as Ryanair is at the centre of a 'wild' Simpsons conspiracy on social media in the wake of the Air India crash that that killed all but one of the 242 passengers onboard.
The doomed Gatwick-bound Air India flight AI-171, which had been carrying 53 British nationals, crashed just moments after take-off on Thursday, 12 June.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, from Leicester, miraculously survived the disaster that saw all the other passengers perish in the fireball explosion. His seat, 11A, was near the Boeing's left engine.
Eerily, exactly one month before the crash occurred, Ryanair posted a tongue-in-cheek video to its TikTok account poking fun at its infamous 11A seat - which has no window.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Parents race to Home Bargains for travel set that contains a cabin bag, rucksack, pillow and MORE for less than £20
PARENTS are racing to get to their nearest Home Bargains store, eager to nab a travel set that kids will love. Not only does it contain a cabin bag, a rucksack, a travel pillow and more, but it's super affordable too. 3 3 3 So if you're lucky enough to be jetting abroad any time soon, then you've come to the right place and will need to check this out. Particularly with the costs of holidays rising, if you're desperate to find a luggage solution that won't break the bank, this is just the thing. It comes after one savvy shopper was left beaming after browsing the aisles in her local Home Bargains, when she spotted the brand new 5-Piece Kids' Travel Set on shelves. Thrilled with her affordable find, Catherine Jacinto Dela Cruz took to social media to alert others to the purse-friendly set, leaving many totally stunned. Posting on BARGAIN LOVERS Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, The Range & More, a public Facebook group with 852,000 members, Catherine uploaded a snap of her find and beamed: ' Kids ' travel set spotted at Home Bargains.' Thanks to this epic five-piece set, you'll get a carry-on bag, a backpack and a lunch bag. But that's not all, as it's also complete with a travel pillow and a zip pouch. The carry-on bag and backpacks are perfect for packing your little one's clothes and holiday essentials. Meanwhile, the lunch bag will ensure their snacks don't get squished, while the travel pillow is great for getting some rest on long flights. And if you're worried they'll lose their valuables, the zip pouch is perfect for keeping items safe and secure. Parents are racing to B&M desperate to nab 'the cutest' kids' cabin cases - they're ideal for EasyJet & Jet2 passengers The Home Bargains set is available in three styles - so if your little one can't get enough of sharks, rainbows or camo print, you're sure to find something that's just right for them. It won't burn a hole in your wallet either, as it's priced at just £19.99, which we think is a real steal. Holiday packing tips Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday. 1. Write a list Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase. Or for complete ease, try Google's AI app - Gemini - which will create a list for you and help you not over pack. 2. Involve your kids Jemma said: 'My girls are getting older, they're 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say 'this is what you need' and they follow the list. 'And then I give them a rucksack each - and say to them 'you can have whatever you want in there as long as it's not liquid', and they can take that on the plane. And that's their 'home away from home' items.' 3. Try a hack or two She said: "I think they all work, but for different reasons - and you've just got to pick the right one for your trip. "Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you're trying to get a lot of items into your case, it's a space saver. 'Packing cubes are great - for example, I'm going on holiday with my three kids and we're all using the same suitcase for our clothes. "These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked. "I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we've arrived." 4. Decant beauty products Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets - which are much lighter and smaller. Or, if you'll be popping to the shops when you're abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive. 5. Get organised before you come home Jemma said: 'When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes. 'Also pack it in some form of order - so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person. "Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don't leave it." And it's clear that Facebook users were left beaming with the high-street find, as Catherine's post has quickly racked up 121 likes and 72 comments. One person said: 'I got one of them for my son and he loved it.' Another added: 'That looks good.' Meanwhile, a third tagged a friend and commented: 'If you see this, let me know.' Not only this, but one parent mentioned a loved one and beamed: 'I want these for the kids!' The Sun Travel team's holiday essentials WITH decades of experience and hundreds of countries under their belt, the Sun Travel team have shared some of the essential items they always pack on a trip. Here are some of the game-changing items we always pack - and some will barely cost you a thing. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel - Global travel plug with USB (£64) Caroline McGuire, Travel Editor - Hotel Slippers Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor - Pack of 40 earplugs (£40) Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor - 1 litre water bottle (£8.99) Ryan Gray, Travel Reporter - Bluetooth eye mask (£16.50) Giuli Graziano, Travel Writer - AirTag luggage location tracker (£29.99).
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE We sold our home to travel the world in a lavish $1 million RV... here's the truth of the experience
A couple who sold their home and quit their jobs to travel the world in a luxurious $1 million RV has lifted a lid on the highs - and lows - of their nomadic lifestyle. Kris, 58, and Hillary, 37, from North Carolina, both spent years working 'traditional jobs' in the healthcare tech industry.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘My grandmother never used yuzu': global gastronomy is out as Catalan chefs celebrate tradition
They revolutionised cooking worldwide with radical techniques and a highly technical cuisine of playful trompe l'oeil – but now many disciples of Catalonia's iconoclastic chef Ferran Adrià believe it's time to get back to their roots. Catalonia has been named World Region of Gastronomy 2025 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism and later this month 60 Michelin-starred chefs will launch a campaign to position Catalonia as a unique and exceptional gastronomic destination. While not rejecting the techniques of so-called molecular gastronomy introduced by Adrià at his restaurant El Bulli, with its foams, spherification and liquid nitrogen, the emphasis will be on local produce and the region's gastronomic culture. El Bulli closed in 2011. 'Copying El Bulli is over. Now it's become a huge repertoire of techniques that each person can apply to their cooking,' said Jordi Artal, chef at the two-starred Cinc Sentits in Barcelona. 'I wouldn't say there's a backlash; it's part of the natural ebb and flow. We use modern techniques but in ways that hark back to Catalan gastronomic history. That's the ideal.' Artal said there had always been a schism between those who believe you should only cook what's in season and Adrià saying: 'I'm an artist, find me the world's best cherry in January so I can make my dish.' Carme Ruscalleda said: 'The concept may have changed but my cooking has always been based in the Mediterranean and its produce.' The chef was speaking in her home town of Sant Pol de Mar, next door to the restaurant where she won the first of seven Michelin stars. 'We must embrace new ideas without losing sight of who we are. Catalan cuisine has Roman and Greek and medieval roots. We make many dishes that are basically medieval but with modern techniques.' This year chefs such as the Roca brothers in Girona and Jordi Vilà in Barcelona have opened – running alongside their flagship restaurants – more modest establishments where they offer more traditional dishes. 'We are taking a broad but not a simplified view of Catalan cuisine,' said Joan Roca about Fontané, the brothers' latest venture, where prices are well below those of El Celler de Can Roca, twice voted the best restaurant in the world. Vilà, chef at one-starred Alkimia and the more homespun Al Kostat del Mar, said: 'Joan Roca and Carme Ruscalleda have always cooked Catalan food but what happened was that what became important was what we call cocina vanguardista [avant-garde cuisine], when what really matters is to use local produce and express yourself in your cooking. 'Many young chefs don't aspire to be Joan Roca or Ferran Adrià but want to cook the dishes their mothers or grandmothers made.' Tradition doesn't always come cheap, however. The tasting menus at high-end restaurants such as El Celler de Can Roca cost upwards of €200 (£170), without wine. Oriol Castro, one of three chefs – all ex-El Bulli – behind Disfrutar, voted best restaurant in the world last year, said no one expected people to pay those sorts of prices for basic Catalan dishes. 'In Disfrutar we offer many dishes based on traditional recipes, with new techniques but traditional flavours, such as a suquet de peix [fish and potato stew] or mar i muntanya [seafood and rabbit or chicken casserole],' said Castro, who insists there is no backlash against the El Bulli school of cooking. 'People come here to eat modern, creative versions of traditional dishes. What's important is the combination of creativity and tradition. There isn't a war. All of us want to preserve this tradition.' Artal said that while he was no purist, in keeping with his principles there were only Catalan and Spanish wines on his wine list. 'I can't explain to a customer that a dish was inspired by my great-grandmother and that we're using locally sourced ingredients and then serve a wine from Bordeaux,' he said. 'I love yuzu but there's no yuzu on the menu because I couldn't say my grandmother used yuzu.' Everyday Catalan cuisine may be in good health outside Barcelona but in the capital it's far easier to find ramen, sushi, hamburgers or pizza than traditional fare. 'I'm not against ramen or hamburgers, I'm against globalization,' said Vilà, who has published a humorous 'self-defence manual' for Catalan cooking. 'Here there are 50 ramen places and none that serve escudella,' a traditional Catalan stew containing pasta or noodles. Ruscalleda said: 'Young people are attracted to the new, so they order sushi or ceviche but they don't know about their own culture.' She shares the view that the biggest threat to traditional cuisine everywhere is that people have stopped cooking at home. In the meantime, it seems it is up to the culinary elite to maintain tradition, a paradox that Vilà accepts. 'We're in a transition because the grandmothers of the future don't want to stay at home cooking, they want to be out in the world,' he said. 'Obviously, a top chef is no substitute for a grandmother, but it's up to us keep the tradition alive.'
