A British man with mobility issues was removed from an easyJet flight just before departure, sparking a significant emotional response and financial loss.
Barry Dobner, 79, was eagerly anticipating a trip to Athens to celebrate his upcoming 80th birthday. Accompanied by his wife, he had planned a two-week Greek holiday but the journey never materialized after he was asked to leave the aircraft in Manchester. Mr. Dobner, who uses a wheelchair following a stroke eighteen years ago, alleges that the incident began when a flight attendant overheard a conversation about a portable urinal bottle packed as a precaution for potential emergencies.
“A stewardess approached and inquired if I had a urinal bottle,” recounted Mr. Dobner. “My wife confirmed its presence, explaining it was for emergencies. She then returned with the instruction that my husband needed to be able to walk to the toilet.”
He continued, “My wife explained that I am unable to walk at all. Their response was that I would have to disembark the plane. My wife asked why and they said ‘because he can’t walk to the toilet.’ The whole cabin witnessed what was happening; it was deeply upsetting.”
The couple and their companions were forced to leave the plane, with a friend later needing to drive them back home.
Mr. Dobner expressed considerable distress over the incident. “I’ve always been an optimistic person,” he said, “but this has really shaken me. I felt reduced to an object—no longer recognized as a person. My self-respect plummeted.” He added that prior to this experience, his six flights since his stroke had all proceeded without issue and that the airline was aware of his limited mobility when they booked him on the flight.
His wife echoed his sentiments, stating she was “deeply upset” by what transpired, describing the treatment as “appalling” and “ludicrous.” The couple lost approximately £2,000 due to the canceled trip.
EasyJet acknowledged the situation in a statement provided to *The Independent*:
“We are very sorry Mr and Mrs Dobner and their companion were unable to fly as planned with easyJet. We are in contact with Mr Dobner and his party to apologize for this error and to provide them with a full refund for their flight, along with denied boarding compensation.”
The airline emphasized its commitment to accessibility:
- EasyJet aims to make travel accessible for all passengers.
- They assist around one million passengers with special needs annually.
- Their research indicates that 87% of passengers needing assistance are satisfied with their service.
The airline maintains its commitment to serving individuals requiring support, despite the unfortunate situation involving Mr. Dobner and his wife.
