A Shattered Anniversary Trip: The Saga of the Bargteheide Couple
Airline Ejects Passenger Couple from Flight
With excitement bubbling for their anniversary getaway, a pair from Bargteheide (Stormarn district) prepped for a Eurowings flight to Ibiza. However, their journey turned sour before it even commenced, as detailed by the "Abendblatt."
"Medical English" and Seats with a View
Facing issues even before boarding the plane, the couple encountered a challenge when booking their seats two weeks prior. All that was left were seats at the emergency exit. While these spots offered more legroom, they came with certain conditions, such as a proficient understanding of English and no physical limitations. If passengers don't meet these criteria, the Lufthansa Group, which Eurowings belongs to, can relocate passengers.
As the couple spoke English and the wife could understand, they booked these seats. During boarding, a Eurowings employee quizzed them about "medical English" in a tone that seemed impossible. Given it was an English Eurowings plane staffed by an English-speaking crew, medical language skills were not indicated as a prerequisite when booking.
Off the Plane and Left in the Lurch
Remaining composed, the couple was reassigned to new seats in the second row, despite the wife's fear of flying. With their new boarding passes in hand, she told her husband, "If we crash, it doesn't matter where we sit" - a statement with dire consequences.
Shortly afterward, the couple was asked to depart the plane following a conversation between the boarding employee and the crew. Upon questioning why they were ejected, the employee claimed they had made light of an airplane crash and the loss of lives. The employee reportedly overheard the wife's comment and relayed it to the captain, who subsequently refused to let the couple fly.
When the husband threatened the employee with repercussions for Eurowings, she retaliated by shouting that she would call the police. The officers who arrived sought the captain's agreement to board the couple, but to no avail. Eventually, the couple managed to book a Eurowings flight for the following day free of charge. Yet, they remain disheartened, as they felt like they were treated as terrorists.
Eurowings' Take on the Matter
Upon inquiry, Eurowings expressed regret over the inconvenience they caused, especially considering the emotional significance of the trip. The airline reiterated that one partner merely speaking English is insufficient for a seat at the emergency exit. All passengers occupying these seats must be "physically and linguistically able to aid in the event of an unusual evacuation."
In cases where staff harbors doubts about whether passengers adhere to safety regulations, they must confer with the captain. The circumstances around the couple's case led to uncertainty about the couple's commitment to safety regulations.
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The police were summoned due to an employee interpreting the couple's statement, "we'll see each other again," as a potential threat. Eurowings expressed deep regret over the incident and hoped for understanding that prioritizing passenger safety takes utmost precedence. (mwi)
The Bargteheide couple, who were preparing for their anniversary trip to Ibiza, encountered a challenge when booking their seats on Eurowings two weeks prior, with only emergency exit seats available, which have English language and no physical limitation requirements. Despite the couple speaking English and understanding it, they were reassigned to new seats during boarding due to a Eurowings employee's question about their "medical English," even though it was an English-speaking Eurowings plane and crew.
