NewsUK NewsEasyJetDevastated groom left at Gatwick after easyJet overbooks honeymoon flightRachel Vickers-Price UK and World News Reporter07:21, 04 Aug 2026A newlywed couple have revealed how their honeymoon got off to a terrible start at the hands of unforgiving easyJet staff, who refused to let both of them board despite being en route to their honeymoon.Londoners Andy and Katya Wedlake arrived at Gatwick Airport on July 26 with time to spare for their 8.25am easyJet flight to Montenegro. They had booked the romantic getaway months in advance and were keen to enjoy their honeymoon - until they went to check-in.The reason why the newlyweds had not been able to check in online the night before was now clear: easyJet had overbooked the flight. Mr Wedlake told the Telegraph: "They could only give us seats once boarding had closed – and if other people didn't turn up to the flight."Overbooking flights is common practice across in aviation. Aircraft carriers often sell more tickets than there are seats in order to maximise the number of bums on seats in the air, and therefore to bring down fuel and operational costs.‌‌As per rules determining the rights of air passengers, airlines must first ask for volunteers willing to travel on a later service in exchange for compensation. easyJet did this and there was one volunteer, and so the couple thought that their early-morning headache was over.Mr Wedlake said: "There was one volunteer, opening one seat on the plane. They said that either my wife or I had to take that seat otherwise we would count as a 'no show' and would lose all rights for rebooking and any compensation."They were essentially being held at ransom, so the newlywed husband chose to stay behind. Mrs Wedlake flew alone to the Adriatic resort and her husband returned to the couple's home in London. 21 hours later, they were finally reunited in Montenegro.Article continues belowWhen asked about the cruel debacle the couple were forced to endure, an easyJet spokesperson said in response: "We are very sorry for Mr and Mrs Wedlake's experience and the difficulty this caused for their honeymoon. Like most airlines, we sometimes overbook a very small proportion of flights and in the significant majority of cases do not result in denying boarding as we use data to select flights with a history of customers not travelling. By filling these seats, it helps to keep fares lower for everyone."In the rare event a customer can't travel, we take our responsibilities seriously and seek volunteers to travel on a later flight in exchange for compensation. Where this is not possible, a decision is made based on order of check in."They added: "Whilst a seat was available for one passenger, we are sorry that an exception was not made on this occasion to book an alternative flight for them together, especially as it was such a special trip. We have since reached out to Mr and Mrs Wedlake to apologise for their experience, provide the compensation due and offer a gesture of goodwill."Under air passenger rights rules, Mr Wedlake is entitled to £350 in compensation after being denied boarding. But that does not come close to covering the actual toll of entire ordeal. He said: "For me that doesn't cover the stress, the sadness of being apart from my new wife, the loss of one full day in Tivat, or the wasted time.""I understand easyJet's terms and conditions allow them to do this kind of thing, but I'm shocked they do it to destinations where they only put on one flight per day – and that they would not be able to predict this flight on a Sunday morning in summer would have a high attendance rate."easyJet have been provided an opportunity to provide a revised comment.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌EasyJetGatwick Airport