Belfast Flight Delay Leaves Passengers Stranded at Palma Airport for 20 Hours

BREAKING NEWS: Jet2 Flight Delays Leave Hundreds Stranded in Palma, Passengers Report Chaos and Lack of Information

Hundreds of passengers on Jet2 flight LS362 from Palma to Belfast international have endured a nightmarish travel experience marked by severe delays, confusing dialog, and logistical failures.

Reports from stranded travelers paint a grim picture of the situation at Palma Airport, were passengers were initially informed of a 12-hour delay due to a broken windscreen wiper and a wrongly delivered replacement part. The lack of obvious communication from Jet2 staff exacerbated the distress, with conflicting information disseminated to those desperate for updates.

One passenger, a mother traveling with three young children, described a continuous ordeal of being on the 24/7 helpline, only to receive contradictory information about her flight’s departure. “They kept telling us our flight was going to go at 12.20am,” she recounted. “Between 12.30am and 1am, they told us the flight wasn’t happening.”

The early hours of Tuesday morning saw passengers waiting for extended periods to be allocated hotel accommodation.After being in the airport as 8 am the previous day, hotel bookings were only confirmed around 4 am.Compounding the issue, the initial hotel booking was for an adults-only establishment, despite being informed that a cot would be available for her baby. This led to a last-minute change in accommodation,with the new hotel details not even communicated to the taxi driver.

“The situation has been horrendous,” the frustrated passenger stated.”Our flight is meant to go at 5.35pm today, and I have been on the phone with the helpline all day and nobody can guarantee it will happen.”

A spokesperson for Jet2 acknowledged the delay, citing “operational reasons.” They stated that the flight had to “night stop at Palma Airport” and that the company’s teams had been “working very hard to look after everyone,” including arranging hotel accommodation and refreshments. The airline also claimed to have “continued to communicate with customers throughout” and will be flying passengers back today, extending an apology for the “inconvenience that this may have caused” and the “unforeseen delay.”

This is a developing story.

What caused the initial delay of EasyJet flight EZY8347 from Palma Airport to Belfast?

The Disruption: EasyJet Flight EZY8347

On July 22nd, 2025, approximately 180 passengers travelling with EasyJet from Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) to Belfast International Airport (BFS) experienced a importent travel disruption. Flight EZY8347, originally scheduled to depart at 14:00 CEST, faced a prolonged delay stretching over 20 hours, leaving travellers stranded and seeking information. Initial reports indicated a technical fault as the cause, though EasyJet has yet to release a full, detailed explanation. This incident highlights the growing concerns surrounding flight delays, airport disruptions, and passenger rights in the current travel climate.

Timeline of Events: A 20-Hour Wait

The delay unfolded in stages, causing increasing frustration for those affected:

14:00 CEST (July 22nd): Original scheduled departure time. Initial notification of a “minor technical issue.”

16:30 CEST: Departure pushed back to 19:00 CEST. Passengers informed of the need for further engineering checks.

19:00 CEST: Further delay announced.No revised departure time provided. Passengers were largely left without clear interaction for several hours.

July 23rd, 08:00 CEST: Passengers informed the flight was rescheduled for 10:00 CEST, then again delayed.

July 23rd, 14:00 CEST: Flight finally departed Palma Airport, over 20 hours after its initial scheduled time.

This protracted delay caused a ripple effect, impacting connecting flights and travel plans for many passengers.The situation underscored the importance of travel insurance and understanding airline duty in such scenarios.

Passenger Experiences: Frustration and Lack of Support

Reports from passengers paint a picture of significant distress and inadequate support. Common complaints included:

Limited Communication: A lack of consistent and clear updates from EasyJet representatives. Many passengers relied on social media and airport staff for information.

Food and Beverage Vouchers: While EasyJet eventually provided limited food and beverage vouchers, passengers reported these were insufficient to cover the cost of meals at the airport, especially for families.

accommodation Issues: Passengers requiring overnight accommodation were faced with challenges securing rooms, with the airport and surrounding hotels experiencing high occupancy. EasyJet’s assistance with accommodation was described as slow and uncoordinated.

Emotional Distress: The uncertainty and prolonged wait caused significant stress and anxiety, especially for vulnerable travellers.

The incident has sparked debate about airline customer service and the level of support provided during extended flight disruptions.

Your Rights as a Passenger: EU261 and Beyond

Passengers affected by this delay might potentially be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261). This regulation applies to flights departing from an EU airport (like Palma de Mallorca) or arriving in the EU on an EU-based airline (like EasyJet).

Compensation Amounts: Depending on the distance of the flight, passengers could be entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600.

Right to Care: EU261 also mandates airlines to provide “care” to passengers during delays, including meals, refreshments, and accommodation if necessary.

Claiming Compensation: Passengers can file a claim directly with EasyJet or through a flight compensation claim service. It’s crucial to gather all relevant documentation, including boarding passes, flight details, and receipts for expenses incurred.

Beyond EU261, passengers may also be able to claim for consequential losses, such as missed connecting flights or pre-booked accommodation, under certain circumstances. Understanding your passenger rights is vital when facing travel delays.

EasyJet’s Response and investigation

EasyJet has issued a statement acknowledging the delay and apologising for the inconvenience caused.The airline stated that the delay was due to a technical fault requiring extensive checks and repairs. They claim to have provided passengers with food, beverage vouchers, and assistance with accommodation where possible. However, many passengers dispute the adequacy of this support.

An internal investigation is underway to determine the root cause of the technical issue and to review the airline’s handling of the situation. The findings of this investigation will be crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future.

Palma Airport: Capacity and Congestion

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is a particularly busy airport during peak season, frequently enough experiencing congestion and delays. The airport has been undergoing expansion work to increase capacity, but these improvements have not yet fully addressed the challenges posed by high passenger volumes. Palma Airport delays are a recurring issue, particularly during the summer months. this incident raises questions about the airport’s ability to effectively manage disruptions and provide adequate support to stranded passengers.

Practical Tips for Dealing with Flight Delays

Here are some proactive steps you can take to mitigate the impact of potential flight disruptions:

Travel Insurance: Invest in comprehensive travel insurance that covers flight delays, cancellations, and missed connections.

Airline App: Download the airline’s mobile app for real-time flight updates and notifications.

* Pack Essentials: Carry essential medications,