Reader’s letter: continuous Wizz Air cancellations in Paris

Another passenger that I spoke to stated they booked an EasyJet flight for their first day, then that was cancelled only to have the Wizz Air flight cancelled the next day. Another person had their plane cancelled three times. My flight has been cancelled twice.

Photo sent via email.

On Thursday evening, June 23rd, the flight was supposed to leave at 7:05 PM, but it was delayed and cancelled. Departure was delayed until 7:45 PM. I arrived at the gate, and waited to board the plane. I saw the plane arrive. While waiting until 7:42 PM, I received an announcement that the flight was cancelled from the airport employees. No explanation was given.

We didn’t receive any help for rebooking or accommodations. Nothing was announced about rebooking or accomodations at all. The Wizz airline app would not allow rebooking and online agents were unhelpful because they tried to book me at a later date. I was able to access Wizz through the online website and book it for Friday evening, June 24th.

• Read also: Reader’s letter from a disappointed Canadian Hungarian: Orbán is in bed with Putin

On Friday evening, June 24th, the flight was delayed and cancelled again. The original departure time was 5:20 PM. It was delayed until 8:45 PM. We all boarded the plane, waited inside the plane, then we were told that the departure was cancelled. We were told that Air traffic control finally gave Wizz a time slot, but the arrival time to Paris would be too late. The ORLY airport would be closed on arrival.

We waited on the plane for 30 minutes to 1 hour. We were off the plane before 10:30 PM. We were told to contact Menzies at the airport for rebooking and accommodation. Some of us waited hours to have our flights rebooked or receive information about compensation. I was booked for a flight on the upcoming Tuesday, June 28th. I was told that I would be given hotel accommodations until Tuesday.

After 12:00 AM, we received information about our hotel for the night. They did not pay for our transportation. We all arrived after 2:00 AM. The hotel was unaware of our arrival time and did not receive an invoice. They only knew that they had 10 rooms for 20 people. 17 of us showed up. We had to share rooms with strangers. It was uncomfortable. They only had one night booked for us even though a few of us were rebooked to stay longer.

The next day, June 25th, those of us staying longer and stranded in Budapest realized that we needed to contact Wizz airline or Menzies for longer hotel accommodation. We tried to call Wizz and Menzies, but neither were helpful. Wizz Airline stated they did not help with hotel accommodations. Menzies did not have a working phone number to be reached.

Photo received via email.

• Read also: Reader’s letter: American lady tries to find her “Budapest Angel”

Another passenger and I returned to the airport and we spoke to Menzies. The other passenger was supposed to wait and depart on Friday, July 1. We waited 4 hours at the airport. Menzies rebooked us to the next departure time for June 26th with hotel accomodations. Menzies was able to contact Wizz Airline about moving the departure time, but was unable to contact them about hotel accommodations. Menzies decided to pay for our airport transfer, meals, and hotel accommodations. We hope that Wizz Airline was able to reimburse Menzies for it though.

On June 26th, my plane finally took off with a short delay. My original flight time was 12:35 PM which was earlier in the day, but it was delayed until 1:35 PM. I was finally able to make it to my destination.

Please share our stories to encourage these airlines to have better care and service as well as consider canceling flights in advance if they are aware of staff shortages and issues.