Thursday, 28 Mar 2024

Ryanair passenger with chronic bowel condition ‘refused free seat by toilet’ on flight

The woman, whose bowel condition can cause her sudden bouts of diarrhoea, claims the budget flight operator refused her a free seat near a loo.

Alicia Dillon, 26, booked the flight with her grandmother and boyfriend and is due to fly on August 5.

The travel consultant, who is a frequent flier, said she first contacted the budget airline through its website to request a seat near a toilet.

However, the Liverpool woman said she was met with a “scripted” reply and told that her condition did not meet the company’s disability policy.

Ryanair allegedly told Alicia that if she wanted a seat next to a bathroom that she would have to pay for it.

““It made me feel absolutely awful and embarrassed.”

Alicia Dillon

She told Liverpool Echo: “It is disgraceful.

“I don’t know what gives Ryanair the authority to decide what a disability is and not. I was in shock at the ignorance.

Alicia continued: “I told them that I could provide medical proof even though I would be having to disclose personal information, which I shouldn’t have to, but I was still told no.

“I have flown loads before with EasyJet and British Airways and no questions have ever been asked.”

Alicia’s message to Ryanair read: “My grandmother is already listed as limited mobility however my partner Matthew will be assisting her.

“However I require seat allocation near to a toilet as possible due to suffering with an autoimmune disease Ulcerative Colitis which affects the bowel.

“I will be bringing injections onboard with storage supplied by myself and a medical letter for customs.”

But, a representative for Ryanair responded: “We can only allocate passengers with reduced mobility.

“32F is free for you, you can purchase it from the website.”

Following the reply, Alicia and her boyfriend contacted a manager – but despite going into detail about her symptoms was met with the same reply.

Alicia, who was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when she was 18-years-old, said she has been left traumatised by the affair.

She added: “It made me feel absolutely awful and embarrassed.

“If I have a flare-up, my immune system attacks itself and I can get sudden onset diarrhoea.

“My joints can become very achey, especially my coccyx and I get chronic fatigue which feels like I have been hit by the flu.

“Not having that far to walk to the toilet and having that peace of mind that I can be the first one there really is a big relief when travelling.”

Alicia said she has complained to the Civil Aviation Authority which has requested that Ryanair reply to her within seven days.

Daily Star Online has contacted Ryanair for comment.

  • Ryanair

Source: Read Full Article

Related Posts