Ross Noble wasn’t happy about his recent flight with easyJet (Picture: X/Ross Noble/Getty)
Ross Noble has blasted budget airline easyJet after he claimed the panel over an emergency hatch ‘fell on him’ during a recent flight, leading to a ‘potentially terrifying’ passenger experience.
While most aeroplane emergency doors act as ‘plugs’ and are almost impossible to randomly open mid-flight due to cabin pressure at altitudes, Ross, 48, said the crew onboard did nothing to assure him the flight was safe given the alarming turn of events.
The Have I Got News for You star wanted the crew to apologise for the inconvenience and tell him the emergency cover falling off the door was safe, but instead they told him the water dripping on him was condensation and gave him a ‘shrug’, advising him not to pull the lever.
Taking to social media, Ross attached a picture of him looking up at the exposed emergency lever, and wrote: ‘Decided to fly @easyJet Great value. The emergency hatch falling on me was at no extra charge.
‘Staff didn’t waste time apologising or showing any concern they helpfully informed me the water dripping on me was just condensation. Great job.’
To this, easyJet responded: ‘Hi Ross. I am sorry to hear about your experience. I’ll be happy to take a look at the booking.
The comedian said staff showed ‘no concern’ when the cover of the plane door’s safety handle fell off mid-flight (Picture: Matt Jelonek/WireImage)
He took this picture of the sorry sight (Picture: X / Ross Noble)
‘Kindly pop us DM with the booking reference number, the booker’s full name and the email address used to make the booking?’
However, Ross said he wasn’t ‘looking for compensation’, adding: ‘Maybe ask staff to say, “Sorry for the inconvenience it’s all safe,” rather than with shrug, “It’s just condensation dripping on you. Don’t lean on the door. Or pull the lever.”
‘I am not a nervous flyer but that is potentially terrifying for someone who is.’
easyJet then came back with a fairly standardised response: ‘I am truly sorry to read about your experience Ross. I am glad to know that the cabin crew were able to apologise for this and I hope your journey was a great one. Your patience is greatly appreciated.’
But Ross wasn’t happy with this, and asked: ‘Are you a chatbot?’
easyJet apologised for Ross’ experience (Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
He then fumed: ‘You haven’t read my message. They didn’t! A thing fell on me and then water dripped out.
‘When we have seen news of a plane door coming off maybe show some concern. Apologise even if you don’t mean it. I know it’s a budget business but manners cost nothing.’
An X user who said they work on this type of plane explained how despite appearances, the door handle cover coming off was actually safe – but that didn’t make up for the apathetic crew.
‘As someone who works on the A320 the door handle cover is designed to come off very easily and the crew should’ve known it can be popped back on as easily as it came off,’ wrote @JustAnother_Ben.
‘Condensation is also common on the ground/during takeoff but the crew should’ve done a better job here.’
Another X user Kevin Vine, who said he was also on the flight, chimed in: ‘Ha ha.. I was in row 25 and saw it happen. Luckily I was very near the toilet…’
easyJet said told Metro.co.uk: ‘We are sorry for Mr Noble’s experience onboard. The panel is for cosmetic purposes only and is designed for easy access in an emergency. Safety is our highest priority.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.