Latest news with #737-800
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Ryanair hits back at couple who were booted off flight after a ‘hack' went wrong
RyanAir has issued a scathing remark to a couple who complained about being booted off a flight after not paying to reserve a seat. Scott McCormick and his girlfriend, Helena Boshwick, 33, were due to fly from Birmingham Airport on May 1 to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a week-long holiday and gym-mentorship event (Picture: PA) The 33-year-old said they had not paid to reserve seats, which typically costs between £4.50 and £33 per seat, because it was a short two-hour flight and they didn't mind if they didn't sit together. Everything went as normal, and the couple were first in the boarding queue when a Ryanair staff member asked them to step aside while the rest of the passengers boarded – and there was only one seat onboard (Picture: iStock/Getty) The pair protested and were eventually put on the next flight together, but not without Ryanair making a joke of the situation. Posting online, the airline wrote: 'Today is a good day to separate couples onboard.' The cheeky remark has garnered tens of thousands of likes and thousands of comments (Picture: Kennedy News) One commenter said: 'You are the reason I only fly with you when I travel with my wife!' Despite the airline's seemingly joking take on the situation, Scott and his girlfriend said they will never fly the budget airline ever again. Scott said there was 'no compassion or care' when they tried to sort out the issue, until they were told both tickets would be reimbursed if they went on the next flight together (Picture: Kennedy News/@ The couple reportedly had to fork out another £100 for the new ticket and waited around four hours to board the next flight to Palma. Scott said he will now avoid flying with Ryanair due to the staff's lack of compassion and empathy. While a Ryanair staff member reportedly told the couple that a refund would be processed for one of the tickets, Scott claims he has still not received it or heard from the company (Picture: Kennedy News/@ A Ryanair spokesperson said: 'This flight from Birmingham to Palma de Mallorca (1 May) was not 'overbooked' – it was scheduled to operate on a 737-8200 (197 seats) but for operational reasons had to be swapped to a 737-800 aircraft (189 seats). 'Mr McCormick's travel companion was not refused boarding but chose not to board and travel on this flight from Birmingham to Palma de Mallorca and was required to pay a Missed Departure fee (£100) to be booked onto the next available flight' (Picture: Kennedy News/@ They added: 'Mr McCormick was notified by email on the day of travel (1 May) that he was entitled to claim back reasonable receipted expenses, however Mr. McCormick has yet to submit any expense receipts to Ryanair' (Picture: Getty)
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Warning greedy airlines can legally 'bump' people from flights with no notice
Following a dispute a Ryanair passenger had with the airline when he asked to give up their place on the flight, a travel expert has offered detail on how such airlines exploit loopholes Greedy airlines can legally "bump" passengers - move them onto other services without their permission - when they overbook flights, a travel expert has warned. Passengers are not guaranteed a seat even when they book one, the professional confirmed, following recent disputes around the practice. One Ryanair passenger was moved onto another flight after the airline switched planes from a Boeing 737-8200 to a 737-800, which has eight less seats. But Scott McCormick and his girlfriend Helena Boshwick, from Birmingham, "hadn't reserved seats" for the two-hour trip to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, something travel expert Rory Boland recommends. However, he added airlines passengers are not guaranteed a seat even when they book one. Mr Boland, travel editor at consumer group Which?, said: "Sometimes a last minute change of aircraft might mean less seats available than planned for, in other cases some airlines actively overbook, betting on 'no shows' to balance things out, while maxing their profits by charging for more seats than the plane can actually accommodate. If an airline ends up with too many people at the gate, it can't just bump someone from the flight because they didn't pay extra to reserve a specific seat." Speaking to Mail Online, he continued: "So long as the flight is either departing the UK, or flying into the UK on a UK or EU based airline, the airline is legally obliged to ask for volunteers before resorting to forcibly denying boarding. "If you volunteer then you surrender your right to statutory compensation, so you should make sure you're happy with the amount you negotiate - at a minimum be sure to get at least get the amount you would be owed if the flight was cancelled - which would be up to £520 each for a long-haul flight, or less for a short-haul journey. "If there are no volunteers, only then an airline can choose to deny a passenger boarding. Anyone who is bumped from a plane should have their flight rebooked as quickly as possible, and be paid cancellation compensation." Those who volunteer to be bumped on a flight must agree compensation with the airline, which will often make an announcement at the gate offering cash or vouchers. Passengers in such cases are also entitled to an alternative flight or a refund. Mr McCormick and Miss Boshwick, both 33, did not book seats, it is understood, because they did not mind sitting apart on the two-hour flight. Because of this, Mr McCormick and Miss Boshwick were each assigned a random seat free of charge upon checking in, which they did online before departure. READ MORE: I flew on hyped new airline claiming to bring back 'golden age of aviation' - it has a long way to go Get holiday recommendations straight to your WhatsApp! In need of a holiday? With the summer in full swing, the Mirror has launched its very own Travel WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest holiday recommendations from our travel experts straight to your WhatsApp. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Responding in relation to the couple's complaint, a Ryanair spokesman said: "This flight from Birmingham to Palma de Mallorca (May 1) was not 'overbooked' - it was scheduled to operate on a 737-8200 (197 seats) but for operational reasons had to be swapped to a 737-800 aircraft (189 seats). "As a result, 1 passenger was unable to travel on this flight, and was reaccommodated onto the next available flight to Palma de Mallorca. "Mr McCormick's travel companion was not refused boarding but chose not to board and travel on this flight from Birmingham to Palma de Mallorca and was required to pay a Missed Departure fee (£100) to be booked onto the next available flight. "Mr McCormick was notified by email on the day of travel (May 1) that he was entitled to claim back reasonable receipted expenses, however Mr McCormick has yet to submit any expense receipts to Ryanair."
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- North Wales Live
Ryanair passenger kicked off flight after money-saving trick backfires
A holidaymaker's attempt to save money on a Ryanair flight backfired when he was denied boarding. Scott McCormick and his girlfriend Helena Boshwick, 33, were due to fly from Birmingham Airport to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on May 1 for a week-long holiday and gym-mentorship event. The 33-year-old explained they had not paid to reserve seats – which typically cost between £4.50 and £33 per seat – because it was a short two-hour flight and they didn't mind if they didn't sit together. However, upon reaching the boarding queue, a Ryanair staff member asked them to step aside while the rest of the passengers boarded. They were then told only Hannah had a seat on the plane. Scott described how they both had a 'meltdown' as they had wanted to travel together, but said a staff member claimed it was because they 'hadn't reserved a seat'. 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. After sharing his experience on social media, many suggested Scott and Helena were singled out because they had not reserved seats - suggesting a technique many use to keep fares low could end up costing people more, reports Birmingham Live. However, Ryanair clarified the issue occurred because they switched planes from one with fewer seats and as a result "one passenger was unable to travel". Scott, from Birmingham, said: "We checked in the night before and we didn't reserve a seat but you normally just get a random one. "We turned up, everything went as normal, went through security as normal, went to the gate after waiting a couple of hours and 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'. "We stepped to the side and watched all the people board the flight. I asked her to tell us what is going to happen and she said no. "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." Helena was offered a seat on the original flight but chose not to accept it and was subsequently forced to pay a £100 missed departure fee before receiving her new ticket. Ryanair stated that Scott is not entitled to a refund for the flight from Birmingham to Majorca as he was re-accommodated onto the next available flight. A Ryanair spokesperson explained: "This flight from Birmingham to Palma de Mallorca (1 May) was not 'overbooked' - it was scheduled to operate on a 737-8200 (197 seats) but for operational reasons had to be swapped to a 737-800 aircraft (189 seats). "As a result, one passenger was unable to travel on this flight, and was reaccommodated onto the next available flight to Palma de Mallorca. "Mr McCormick's travel companion was not refused boarding but chose not to board and travel on this flight from Birmingham to Palma de Mallorca and was required to pay a Missed Departure fee (£100) to be booked onto the next available flight.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Why Canada hosts more old passenger jets than any other country — by far
MONTREAL — Each morning, travellers and cargo take off from Montreal's Trudeau airport for a 1,600-kilometre flight to Puvirnituq in northern Quebec aboard a nearly 50-year-old Air Inuit plane. This seasoned Boeing 737 previously cruised the skies above Europe and Central Africa for now-defunct carriers in France, Gabon and the Congo. But now its trips are all-Canadian, shuttling people, food and building materials between the country's second-biggest city and a village of 2,100. The aging aircraft is no outlier in Canada, which plays host to more old jets deployed for passenger service than any other country. Their age can pose challenges for maintenance and fuel efficiency, while others question the safety of second-hand haulers, but operators say they are ideally suited for commercial flights to remote destinations. Thirteen of the 30 oldest jets in the world carrying travellers on scheduled or charter routes are operating in Canada, according to figures from ch-aviation, an industry data provider. All 13 are Boeing 737-200s between 42 and 52 years old. Venezuela is the runner-up, with six jets in the top 30. The United States notches three. Counterintuitively, Canada's sprawling geography, harsh weather and rugged airstrips are the reason it relies more heavily on old planes than on newer, sleeker models. 'The reason why Air Inuit still flies the 200 series is not by choice but by obligation,' said CEO Christian Busch, whose 36-plane fleet includes four of the classic narrow-bodies. Three — all among the oldest 30 globally — house passengers in the back half and freight in the front. Much of the rationale boils down to unpaved runways. 'We're still flying aircraft on gravel runways, and the 737-200 is the only aircraft approved to land — jet aircraft approved to land — on gravel to this date,' he said. That's because the beefy Boeing, which entered into service in 1968 and ceased production 20 years later, was designed to be fitted with a gravel kit. That modification includes a deflector on the nose wheel that shields the underbelly from flying rock fragments. It also blows compressed air in front of each engine to prevent debris from entering the turbofans, which could be damaged and shut down. All but seven of Canada's 117 "remote northern airports" are unpaved, according to a 2017 auditor general's report on aviation infrastructure in the North. "We have a 737-800 on the fleet. I would love to fly that aircraft up north, but where can I land it?" asked Marco Prud'Homme, president of charter airline Nolinor Aviation. "I mean, it's all unpaved runways." While some of its vintage Boeings fly to villages, about half of Nolinor's flights descend on a half-dozen remote mines, transporting workers, groceries and supplies via 737-200 to an open-pit project in Nunavut and other northern operations. Mining companies avoid paving runways in part because asphalt and concrete are harder to rehabilitate when the site closes. More importantly for northern areas, permafrost can melt in the summer, creating cracks or large ripples in the runway. 'If you pave the runway, after one year you will have to start again,' Prud'Homme said. While many airlines deploy a mix of turboprop planes — which can land on gravel — and jets, the former are far slower and thus less appealing for passenger travel. 'If you have to use a turboprop aircraft to get there, it's going to take forever,' said Prud'Homme, whose 14-aircraft fleet includes nine "well-loved" 737-200s — more than any other carrier, he claims. Eight are among the 50 oldest passenger jets in the world deployed for passenger service, according to ch-aviation. The two longest-serving veterans are 50 and 51 years old, making them third- and fourth-oldest globally, right behind a pair of U.S.-based charter jets, the oldest of which was built in 1971 — for the now-defunct Canadian Airlines. Geriatric planes are not without issues. They guzzle more fuel and cause greater maintenance headaches, said Air Inuit's Busch. 'It's not as easy as maintaining new or modern aircraft,' whose components may be more readily available, he noted. Seemingly basic items can pose big problems. Finding parts to swap out a broken washroom lock can be tougher than changing an engine starter, Busch said. But Prud'Homme says components come at a lower cost than parts for newer jets and can be sourced easily enough. While flying on a creaky plane from the '70s might give some passengers the jitters, there is little evidence of safety issues. A 2014 study by the MIT International Center for Air Transportation found there is no link between aircraft age and fatal accident rates in North America and Europe. Proper maintenance is far more important than the manufacturing date, said Pierre Clément, director of aviation at Glencore Canada's Raglan Mine, which sits in Nunavik near the northernmost tip of Quebec. 'There's no concern as far as safety is concerned because the airplanes are maintained,' he said. Glencore, whose two 46-year-old 737-200s rank among the 15 oldest passenger planes worldwide, flies a mechanic on every trip along with numerous replacement parts, Clément said. To avoid unexpected repairs, the company takes precautionary steps such as changing the tires after fewer landings than most carriers would. 'We know that if an airplane breaks down at the mine, it will cost a lot of money to fix it there,' he said. Though still a linchpin of remote air travel, Canada's stable of senior 737-200s may shrink as new solutions emerge. Glencore is taking ground temperature tests year-round to see if decreasing permafrost would allow for an asphalt runway. An airstrip made of aluminum planks is another option, but pricier. The Quebec government announced last year it would commit up to $50 million to treat the gravel runway in Puvirnituq with a product that will make the strip harder and less prone to kicking up debris, among other renovations. "We're working with Transport Canada to be able to fly a modern jet on a new surface type," said Busch. He hopes to get a greenlight for newer planes to take off there as early as next year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025. Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
18-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Why Canada hosts more old passenger jets than any other country — by far
MONTREAL - Each morning, travellers and cargo take off from Montreal's Trudeau airport for a 1,600-kilometre flight to Puvirnituq in northern Quebec aboard a nearly 50-year-old Air Inuit plane. This seasoned Boeing 737 previously cruised the skies above Europe and Central Africa for now-defunct carriers in France, Gabon and the Congo. But now its trips are all-Canadian, shuttling people, food and building materials between the country's second-biggest city and a village of 2,100. The aging aircraft is no outlier in Canada, which plays host to more old jets deployed for passenger service than any other country. Their age can pose challenges for maintenance and fuel efficiency, while others question the safety of second-hand haulers, but operators say they are ideally suited for commercial flights to remote destinations. Thirteen of the 30 oldest jets in the world carrying travellers on scheduled or charter routes are operating in Canada, according to figures from ch-aviation, an industry data provider. All 13 are Boeing 737-200s between 42 and 52 years old. Venezuela is the runner-up, with six jets in the top 30. The United States notches three. Counterintuitively, Canada's sprawling geography, harsh weather and rugged airstrips are the reason it relies more heavily on old planes than on newer, sleeker models. 'The reason why Air Inuit still flies the 200 series is not by choice but by obligation,' said CEO Christian Busch, whose 36-plane fleet includes four of the classic narrow-bodies. Three — all among the oldest 30 globally — house passengers in the back half and freight in the front. Much of the rationale boils down to unpaved runways. 'We're still flying aircraft on gravel runways, and the 737-200 is the only aircraft approved to land — jet aircraft approved to land — on gravel to this date,' he said. That's because the beefy Boeing, which entered into service in 1968 and ceased production 20 years later, was designed to be fitted with a gravel kit. That modification includes a deflector on the nose wheel that shields the underbelly from flying rock fragments. It also blows compressed air in front of each engine to prevent debris from entering the turbofans, which could be damaged and shut down. All but seven of Canada's 117 'remote northern airports' are unpaved, according to a 2017 auditor general's report on aviation infrastructure in the North. 'We have a 737-800 on the fleet. I would love to fly that aircraft up north, but where can I land it?' asked Marco Prud'Homme, president of charter airline Nolinor Aviation. 'I mean, it's all unpaved runways.' While some of its vintage Boeings fly to villages, about half of Nolinor's flights descend on a half-dozen remote mines, transporting workers, groceries and supplies via 737-200 to an open-pit project in Nunavut and other northern operations. Mining companies avoid paving runways in part because asphalt and concrete are harder to rehabilitate when the site closes. More importantly for northern areas, permafrost can melt in the summer, creating cracks or large ripples in the runway. 'If you pave the runway, after one year you will have to start again,' Prud'Homme said. While many airlines deploy a mix of turboprop planes — which can land on gravel — and jets, the former are far slower and thus less appealing for passenger travel. 'If you have to use a turboprop aircraft to get there, it's going to take forever,' said Prud'Homme, whose 14-aircraft fleet includes nine 'well-loved' 737-200s — more than any other carrier, he claims. Eight are among the 50 oldest passenger jets in the world deployed for passenger service, according to ch-aviation. The two longest-serving veterans are 50 and 51 years old, making them third- and fourth-oldest globally, right behind a pair of U.S.-based charter jets, the oldest of which was built in 1971 — for the now-defunct Canadian Airlines. Geriatric planes are not without issues. They guzzle more fuel and cause greater maintenance headaches, said Air Inuit's Busch. 'It's not as easy as maintaining new or modern aircraft,' whose components may be more readily available, he noted. Seemingly basic items can pose big problems. Finding parts to swap out a broken washroom lock can be tougher than changing an engine starter, Busch said. But Prud'Homme says components come at a lower cost than parts for newer jets and can be sourced easily enough. While flying on a creaky plane from the '70s might give some passengers the jitters, there is little evidence of safety issues. A 2014 study by the MIT International Center for Air Transportation found there is no link between aircraft age and fatal accident rates in North America and Europe. Proper maintenance is far more important than the manufacturing date, said Pierre Clément, director of aviation at Glencore Canada's Raglan Mine, which sits in Nunavik near the northernmost tip of Quebec. 'There's no concern as far as safety is concerned because the airplanes are maintained,' he said. Glencore, whose two 46-year-old 737-200s rank among the 15 oldest passenger planes worldwide, flies a mechanic on every trip along with numerous replacement parts, Clément said. To avoid unexpected repairs, the company takes precautionary steps such as changing the tires after fewer landings than most carriers would. 'We know that if an airplane breaks down at the mine, it will cost a lot of money to fix it there,' he said. Though still a linchpin of remote air travel, Canada's stable of senior 787-200s may shrink as new solutions emerge. Glencore is taking ground temperature tests year-round to see if decreasing permafrost would allow for an asphalt runway. An airstrip made of aluminum planks is another option, but pricier. The Quebec government announced last year it would commit up to $50 million to treat the gravel runway in Puvirnituq with a product that will make the strip harder and less prone to kicking up debris, among other renovations. 'We're working with Transport Canada to be able to fly a modern jet on a new surface type,' said Busch. He hopes to get a greenlight for newer planes to take off there as early as next year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025.
