Pensioners' Holiday Nightmare: Jet2 Sends Them to the Wrong Island!

Imagine this: You’re all set for a relaxing getaway to Majorca, but instead, you find yourself headed to Menorca—> a shocking mistake that left two elderly women devastated. This is exactly what happened to Linda Trestrail and Wendy Russell, two pensioners whose dream vacation turned into a chaotic ordeal, all due to a stunning blunder by Jet2 Airlines.
At 69 and 71 years old, Linda and Wendy had anticipated a smooth journey, one that was meticulously planned to accommodate their limited mobility. After a thorough check of their travel documents—five times, no less—they were assured they were flying to the right destination. Yet, their excitement quickly morphed into confusion when the pilot announced they were landing in Menorca instead of Majorca.
Jet2 has issued an apology for this blunder, attributing it partly to a “human error” from a special assistance provider at Bristol Airport. However, for Linda and Wendy, the apologies feel hollow. "You hear of bags going on the wrong flights but not people," Linda expressed, highlighting the sheer absurdity of their situation.
They had received extensive wheelchair assistance at the airport, and despite presenting their tickets multiple times, they were still directed onto the wrong aircraft. “A cabin crew member even confirmed our seats were correct,” Wendy recalled, “then suddenly, we’re told we’re in the wrong place.”
The situation escalated as they quickly realized they were occupying seats on a flight meant for an entirely different destination. What made this even more troubling was the revelation that their luggage had made it to Majorca without them—a serious security lapse. “What if there had been dangerous items in those bags? It’s alarming to think about,” Wendy noted, echoing fears that could resonate with anyone who values safety.
The pair eventually found themselves stranded at Menorca airport, where they waited for hours before being rerouted to their intended destination of Palma de Majorca. To make matters worse, upon finally reaching their resort, they were met with further disappointment when their pre-arranged transport had long left. “We collapsed in our room, exhausted and frustrated,” Linda recounted. The trip that should have taken just five hours stretched into a grueling 17-hour ordeal.
In a bizarre twist, a Jet2 representative later offered the duo a complimentary excursion—an absurd suggestion given their mobility challenges. Linda’s incredulity was palpable: “A free excursion? We can barely walk! It’s like offering a fish a bicycle.” The irony was not lost on her, as they struggled with the consequences of a trip that was supposed to be a joyful escape.
News of their misadventure spread quickly, with other travelers recognizing them during their holiday—turning the duo into unexpected celebrities. Yet, the experience left them shaken and questioning the reliability of airline operations. “This could have been so much worse. We may have gotten lucky, but the system failed us,” Wendy stated, reflecting on the broader implications for airline security.
Jet2 has promised to investigate the incident further, emphasizing that such an oversight is extremely rare. They are now implementing additional training to prevent future occurrences. For Linda and Wendy, however, the dream of a peaceful holiday has been overshadowed by a nightmare they won’t soon forget.