RYANAIR’s cost-cutting strategies are the thing of tabloid legend.
You are not getting a refund so fuck off
In 2009, Ryanair boss and ‘no publicity is bad publicity’ doyen, Michael O’Leary, famously unveiled plans to attach coin slots to their aircraft’s toilet doors, while years earlier the airline hit the headlines for attempting to charge a passenger with cerebal palsy £18 for use of a wheelchair.
Still, a £320 charge to print out boarding passes proved a step too far for one Manchester airport passenger, who took the airline to court, won the case and had bailiffs visit Ryanair HQ to collect the money.
Lucas Marshall, 34, from Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, told the Daily Mail:
“I don’t like getting walked over. The point is some people will get back and say ‘I’ll leave it, I won’t bother.
“But I thought that’s ridiculous. They take £300 off you for a piece of paper when really everything is already paid for.”
Marshall, who was returning from the Canary Islands to Manchester with his wife and four children, had not printed out boarding cards due to an issue with the booking reference.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary does not take refunds lightly
"To me it was about the principle. I hated the fact that they forced me," he added. "I was at the end of the holiday and I was worried, I thought, “I haven’t got this money to spend”."
To avoid missing the flight, Marshall stumped up the £320 but complained to the airline on his return. Ignoring a court notice the case was automatically awarded to Marshall with a £610 pay-out. When Ryanair continued to ignore the order bailiffs were sent in to the company offices in Stansted, Essex to collect the money. The airline finally paid out in December.
“You can’t picture the bailiffs going in – I would have loved to have been there,” added Marshall.
Mr O'Leary once famously remarked on Ryanair's no-refund policy: "What part of no refund don't you understand? You are not getting a refund so fuck off."
Well, Mr Marshall would beg to differ.
(image credit: wiki)
