A newlywed couple experienced a distressing start to their honeymoon when the groom was left behind at Gatwick Airport as a result of easyJet overbooking their flight. Andy and Katya Wedlake had planned a special getaway to Tivat, on the Montenegro coast, departing on July 26. Hours before their scheduled 8:25 a.m. departure, the couple discovered they could not check in online.
Upon arriving at Gatwick's North Terminal, they were informed that easyJet had sold more tickets than available seats, a practice common among some airlines, though Ryanair and Jet2 state they do not oversell flights. The couple faced a difficult decision when the airline sought volunteers to give up their seats for compensation. While one passenger volunteered, leaving one available seat, easyJet informed the Wedlakes that if neither of them took the single seat, they would forfeit compensation and rebooking rights. Consequently, Mrs. Wedlake boarded the flight alone, while Mr. Wedlake remained in Gatwick.
This situation resulted in Mrs. Wedlake beginning her honeymoon in the Adriatic resort without her husband, who had to return to London and stay overnight at home. The couple were eventually reunited, but their honeymoon began 21 hours later than planned.
EasyJet stated that it followed its policy of denying boarding to the last passengers to check in and then offering compensation to volunteers for later flights. The airline commented, "We are very sorry for Mr and Mrs Wedlake's experience and the difficulty this caused for their honeymoon." A spokesperson explained that overbooking a small proportion of flights helps keep fares lower, and in rare cases where a customer cannot travel, volunteers are sought. The airline acknowledged, "Whilst a seat was available for one passenger, we are sorry that an exception was not made on this occasion to book an alternative flight for them together, especially as it was such a special trip."
EasyJet has since contacted the couple to apologize, provide the due compensation, and offer a gesture of goodwill. Mr. Wedlake is entitled to £350 in compensation, though he expressed that this amount did not cover the stress, sadness, lost time, or the missed day of their honeymoon.