Dozens of passengers were left stunned and stranded at Manchester Airport on Monday morning after their Jet2 flight to Spain departed without them. The group, which included elderly travellers and children, were left waiting in a stairwell for up to 40 minutes, only to be told their plane had already taken off.
A Baffling Wait in the Stairwell
The incident occurred on Monday, January 19, involving flight LS879 bound for Alicante, scheduled for a 7am departure. Passengers, including Matt from Denton and his son, had arrived on time, cleared security, and had their boarding passes scanned at the gate. Following the boarding call for rows 26 to 40, the remaining passengers, including Matt, were called forward.
Instead of walking directly onto the aircraft, they were directed down a set of stairs into a holding area. "The herd mentality is that we all went down the stairs and followed each other," Matt told the Manchester Evening News. The group expected a bus to transport them to the plane or for staff to open doors leading to the aircraft stairs.
However, no one came. "We were there for 10 minutes, 20, 30, then we thought 'what's going on'. We were literally stuck like caged animals," Matt recounted. After the lengthy and confusing wait, an airport employee approached from the tarmac side and delivered the shocking news: the plane had already gone.
Airline Admits to Directional Error
It is understood that at least 35 passengers were left behind due to what has been described as an 'error on the stairwell directions'. According to reports, a red rope that should have diverted passengers directly onto the aircraft was missing, leading the entire group down the wrong path.
Matt expressed disbelief that the airline did not perform a headcount before departure. "I am gobsmacked at the fact they don't do a headcount. That plane is at least 36 people light, it's bizarre. You'd think the captain would ask if they had a full flight," he said. He also claimed Jet2 staff told him such an incident had 'never happened before'.
Apologies and Rebooking Efforts
In the immediate aftermath, the stranded travellers were given a £10 voucher by Jet2 while they waited for news. The airline has since issued a full apology and arranged alternative flights to Alicante for all affected customers on the same day.
A Jet2 spokesperson stated: "We are aware that flight LS879 from Manchester to Alicante departed without some customers this morning, and we are investigating this as a matter of urgency with the airport. Our team are looking after these customers, and we have already arranged for them to take other flights to Alicante today. We would of course like to apologise to these customers."
The incident has raised serious questions about boarding procedures and passenger communication at busy UK airports, leaving many to wonder how such a significant logistical failure could occur.
