Denied flight boarding by Easyjet, non-eu spouse

[harrydilu]

Hello, I'm currently at Gatwick Airport having been refused entry onto an Easyjet flight, due to not having a schengen visa for my Sri Lankan husband.

We've travelled before in Europe with our marriage certificate as proof of the right to free movement, including with Easyjet just a month ago, and had very little problem (a few phone calls before they stamped the passport). However this time the supervisor in charge took our documents away and when he returned he told us we couldn't board as his residence visa doesn't have family member of an EU citizen on it. I tried multiple times to explain that as I am an EU citizen I can travel with my family member (husband) if proof is provided, but he wouldn't listen. His mind was made up.

We went to customer services and they first agreed with the supervisor, and pointed to the same argument of missing the "family member" sentence on his visa, but after showing them the previous rulings and laws on the matter, they agreed that we were right and should be allowed to board. They went back to the supervisor but he again wouldn't change his mind. I showed him some documentation that stated border officials "may not refuse entry" if proof is provided by other means, and he took that to mean "may" meant that he could refuse if he decided to, and I had to try and explain the difference between "may" as a possibility of something, and "may or may not" as something that mustn't be done.

We've now booked a flight for tomorrow with Ryanair from a different airport.

My question is what we should do next? Easyjet customer services suggested we get the embassy to email written confirmation that we can travel with just the marriage certificate, but having spoken to somebody there they told me to talk to Easyjet again, who directed me to another department at the airport, who directed me to a check in worker, who told me to phone Dublin (I presume to talk to Ryanair??). I feel like I'm going round in circles, so if anyone could point me in the right direction on how to approach compensation, and the feeling that my and my husband's rights have been abused.

Thank you

[vinny]

See also Travel to Schengen, without visa, for EEA-family members.

Ryanair may have similar reservations, having recently lost a court case.

[harrydilu]

Have just also been denied boarding by Ryanair at Stansted Airport. Asked to get it in writing that we presented a marriage certificate and were together but were still refused boarding. Was told that it had been added to our booking notes which could then be requested from Ryanair. The man we spoke to said that airlines all have their own policies so BA etc may accept this but Ryanair need my husband's residency visa to say family member of EU national on it.

Any suggestions on who to contact next and what our next steps need to be. We of course have given up on the idea of travelling this week.

[CR001]

As you are British and your spouse holds a UK spouse visa (not an EU family residence card), for ease of travel you should apply for a Schengen visa which is usually free for spouse of British citizens.