Dear Customer Service Team,
I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding my recent flight with Air Europa from Montevideo to Buenos Aires. As a passenger with thrombophilia, I have specific health requirements while traveling, including the need for adequate legroom and mobility to prevent potential thrombosis risks.
A few days before my flight, I accessed the Air Europa mobile app to purchase a larger seat with extra legroom. The seat map on the app displayed Row 18 as having no seat in front, falsely advertising it as an XL seat. Based on this misleading information, I proceeded with the purchase.
However, upon boarding the aircraft, I was shocked to find that my assigned seat was a standard seat, not the spacious one I had paid for. I immediately addressed the issue with a flight attendant, explaining my medical condition and the need for additional space. I even offered to pay extra for an upgrade to business class or to be moved to an actual XL seat, but the flight attendant flatly refused, stating that the error in the app was a known issue that had occurred frequently—yet no action had been taken to correct it.
After much insistence, I was reluctantly moved to another standard seat at the back of the plane, with an empty seat next to me. This was not what I paid for, nor was it an acceptable solution given my health condition.
Beyond this issue, the overall service was appalling:
The staff was extremely rude, unhelpful, and dismissive.
The food was disgusting, cold, and unappetizing.
Only a small paper cup of water was provided, with no breakfast service in the morning.
Passengers had to pay €3 for headphones, otherwise, no in-flight entertainment was available.
The toilets were filthy, with no toilet paper or paper towels available throughout the flight.
For two weeks, I have been requesting a refund for the seat I paid for but did not receive, yet my claim has been repeatedly denied through all customer service channels. Furthermore, after this horrendous experience, I requested a refund for my return flight—as I refuse to travel with Air Europa again—but this, too, has been denied.
I am now at the point where I will escalate this issue to Consumer Protection authorities in Spain, as this treatment is unacceptable. I emphasize once again that this is not a matter of personal preference but a serious health-related issue, and I cannot risk my well-being due to Air Europa’s negligence and false advertising.
This experience has been utterly disappointing, and I strongly advise against flying with Air Europa to anyone considering it. I expect an immediate resolution to my refund request and a formal response to this complaint.
Sincerely,
MarÃa Agustina Mattera González