Yahoo News Jet2, easyJet and TUI's strict rules that could get you banned from flying
The summer holidays may be drawing to a close, but many are still planning last-minute trips or waiting for the shoulder season to embark on their break. While most holiday-goers typically encounter few issues (barring those entirely out of their control), tensions can rise when things don't go as smoothly as expected.
This could range from throngs of frustrated travellers at airports dealing with delays and cancellations, to unruly conduct both on the ground and in-flight. As per MirrorOnline, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has cautioned that disruptive passenger behaviour has resulted in costly aircraft diversions, potentially up to £80,000.
All major airlines maintain the right to deny passengers, with many outlining their own guidelines regarding passenger conduct prior to boarding and during the flight. Some airlines even impose bans on excessively disruptive passengers, meaning they could be denied future flights, face cancellations, and bear the cost of any necessary plane diversions, reports the Daily Record.
While it's important to remember that each airline has its own set of rules, here are a few behaviours that could get you removed from flights, and in some instances, banned.
easyJet
easyJet has a comprehensive list of 22 regulations in its conditions of carriage rulebook. Section 12, which pertains to the right to refuse carriage, states that easyJet may decline to transport you and/or your luggage, or even remove you from the flight entirely, if they "reasonably believe" you could cause disruption.
The airline also clarified that they may cancel any subsequent flights included in your booking, deny a refund, or cancel an existing flight, and can even refuse future carriage should any of the scenarios in section 12.1 occur.
These are just a handful of situations which could see you turned away:
You or your baggage may put the safety of the aircraft or the health or safety of any person in the aircraft or airport in danger or at risk
You are drunk or under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the airport or on board
You have smoked or attempted to smoke in the airport (other than in permitted areas) or on board
You are in unlawful possession of drugs
You have caused harm to, injured, or used threatening, abusive, insulting, discriminatory, obscene or lewd language or behaviour towards a member of staff, ground crew or any passengers
TUI
Meanwhile, holiday operator TUI has an extensive list of 43 rules in its conditions of carriage rulebook, detailing how they issue customer banning orders - and even lifetime banning orders. It explains that a CBO or LCBO is a formal written notice informing a passenger that they are prohibited from being carried on the TUI Airways route network.
This implies that passengers are barred from travelling on all flights operated by TUI. The CBO will specify the date when the ban becomes effective, the duration for which it applies, and the expiry date.
If you receive a CBO, it will also request that you refrain from purchasing a ticket or asking or allowing anyone else to do so on your behalf. Conversely, the LCBO will remain in effect indefinitely.
If you attempt to travel while a CBO or LCBO is in effect, TUI will deny boarding to such passengers and they will not be entitled to any refund. Similar to other major airlines, TUI has strict regulations regarding luggage, customer behaviour, and staff abuse.
Under Article 7 of the conditions of carriage rule book, TUI reserves the right to refuse travel on its flights to passengers who violate these rules. Some examples include:
If carrying you or your baggage may put the safety or security of the aircraft, its crew, or other passengers in danger
If you present yourself for travel whilst being – perceived or otherwise – under the influence of controlled substances (including, but not exclusive to alcohol, narcotics, or other medicinal products) which may influence judgement, behaviours, or actions whilst onboard
If you have used threatening, abusive, or insulting words towards any direct employee, appointed representative, or individual acting on behalf of the TUI Group
There are several actions that could result in you being barred from a TUI flight, so it's advisable to familiarise yourself with the rules to avoid the risk of being banned.
Jet2
As reported by MirrorOnline, Jet2 runs an 'On Board Together' campaign, which outlines its zero-tolerance policy towards anyone who jeopardises the safety, comfort and wellbeing of customers and colleagues. The airline stresses that all passengers must behave appropriately at all times, both at the airport and on board the aircraft.
Jet2 also clarified that if, in its opinion, a passenger has failed to behave appropriately either at the airport or on board the aircraft, or it considers you unfit to fly, there may be measures it takes, such as:
You may be prosecuted for offences committed on board the aircraft
Jet2 may decide (in its reasonable discretion) to cancel your flight prior to take-off and/or, after take-off
Divert the aircraft to offload you, in which case you must pay all costs and expenses incurred of any nature whatsoever as a result of or arising out of that diversion
It may decide to cancel any return flight or other future flights you have without refund
The airline provided this list in its terms and conditions that you must not:
contravene any applicable law (for example by being drunk on board an aircraft);
conduct yourself aboard the aircraft so as to endanger the aircraft or any person or property on board;
obstruct the crew in the performance of their duties;
fail to comply with any instruction of the crew;
use any threatening, abusive or insulting words or actions towards the crew or other passengers;
behave in a disorderly manner or in a manner to which other passengers may reasonably object;
fail to comply with the terms of any document signed by you following contravention of one or more of the preceding conditions on a previous Jet2 flight
fail to comply with Jet2's safe travel requirements, including the requirement for you and your travel party to wear a facemask in the airport and on your flight where applicable.
