A teenager from the UK was denied boarding a plane due to an error in his documents

By TravelWiseJan 4, 2024 20:08 PMNews
Share:
A teenager from the UK was denied boarding a plane due to an error in his documents
A passport error cost a teenager from Nottinghamshire and his family 1 thousand pounds. Source: Photo: Pixabay

Ryanair employees denied a teenager boarding a plane due to a passport error. The reason for the refusal was a 1-centimeter gap on the opposite side of the basic photo information page.

Jake Burton, 19, and his parents were going on their first international trip to the Spanish city of Benidorm on New Year's Eve. They were supposed to board a plane from East Midlands Airport on December 28, but problems with documents cost the teenager and his family a holiday trip worth £1,000, The Sun reported.

According to Jake, he probably damaged it during an evening walk, which was the reason for the refusal. At the same time, the boy's parents, Rachel and Chris, say that they were still allowed to board the plane, but they refused to leave their son alone at home.

A teenager from the UK was denied boarding a plane due to an error in his documents
The teenager's parents say it was a one-centimeter gap in the passport. Source: Photo: The Sun

"We went through all the checks, but at the very end Ryanair rejected us. It was absolutely unbearable. It would have been one thing if they hadn't let us on right away, but to get to the boarding gate, you start to go into vacation mode and it's just awful. The worst part is that this woman didn't even look him in the eye when she told us 'no'. We had to be led through the airport, even along the runway, to get out - it was just awful," said the teenager's mother.

In total, the family lost £1,067.64 and £167 in taxis and transfers.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Jet2 aircraft on the runway at a UK airport

Jet2 Opens Early Winter Sun Sales

Jun 13, 2026 06:21 AM
People sitting by the river in Nantes at sunset

Nantes Gets a Direct Canada Link

Jun 13, 2026 06:18 AM

Passport Doodle Forces Last-Minute Flight Change

Jun 13, 2026 06:05 AM

Madrid Gets Its First Nobu Hotel

Jun 12, 2026 22:02 PM
Etihad Airways aircraft flying in a clear sky

Etihad Adds Eight Summer Routes

Jun 12, 2026 21:59 PM
KLM aircraft taking off from a runway at sunset

KLM Adds Flexibility for Long-Haul Trips

Jun 12, 2026 21:46 PM
Interior rendering of the planned Scandic Go underground hotel in Stockholm

Stockholm Is Getting an Underground Hotel

Jun 12, 2026 21:33 PM
Silver suitcase on an airport baggage carousel

Passengers Caught in Baggage Mix-Up Scheme at Toronto Pearson

Jun 12, 2026 21:27 PM
Traveller using an EES Entry/Exit System screen at a European border

Europe Border Queues Could Hit Trips

Jun 11, 2026 22:44 PM

A French Island Retreat Reopens Near Bandol

Jun 11, 2026 22:31 PM

Power Banks Face Tougher Flight Rules

Jun 11, 2026 22:28 PM
Finnair aircraft taxiing on a runway

Finnair Puts Turku and Tampere Back on the Map

Jun 11, 2026 22:15 PM
Aerial view of a small Sardinian beach with cliffs, turquoise water and boats

Sardinia Beach Trips Now Need a Plan

Jun 11, 2026 22:02 PM
Exterior of the ibis Styles Munich Airport hotel with green signage

Munich Airport Gets a New Sleepover Option

Jun 11, 2026 21:59 PM
easyJet aircraft parked at an airport on a rainy day

easyJet Picks Cheap Sun Breaks for Rainy Summer

Jun 11, 2026 21:46 PM

Wizz Air Brings Zadar Closer to Central Europe

Jun 11, 2026 21:33 PM

Helsinki Makes Summer Easy to Plan

Jun 11, 2026 21:27 PM
Whitewashed waterfront buildings and outdoor tables in Mykonos

Bratislava Gets a Summer Shortcut to Mykonos

Jun 10, 2026 16:44 PM
Monk’s Walk at Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel with sea and cliff views

Anantara Links Rome, Nice and Amalfi for Summer

Jun 10, 2026 16:31 PM
Wizz Air aircraft flying against a clear blue sky

Wizz Air Takes Wi-Fi Beyond Airplane Mode

Jun 10, 2026 16:28 PM
Pink suitcase standing on an airport floor beside a passenger

Cabin Bags Can Slow Aircraft Evacuations, IATA Warns

Jun 9, 2026 19:45 PM
Airline executives at Europe Japan joint venture signing ceremony

ITA Airways Joins a Bigger Japan–Europe Flight Network

Jun 9, 2026 19:32 PM

Corsica Gets a Direct Summer Link from Vienna

Jun 9, 2026 19:29 PM

Poland’s Baltic Mega-Hotel Opens with a Catch

Jun 8, 2026 22:26 PM
Air Canada aircraft on the runway at sunset

Toronto Returns to Budapest’s Summer Flight Board

Jun 7, 2026 20:13 PM
Skanderbeg Square in Tirana at dusk

Tirana Gets Six New Ryanair Summer Routes

Jun 7, 2026 20:07 PM