easyJet established the group in 2012 to provide independent guidance and strategic advice on the evolving needs of passengers requiring special assistance and directly contributing to ongoing improvements for customers, for example the introduction of easyJet’s onboard cabin aisle wheelchair.
The independent advisory group is chaired by former Cabinet Minister, now Member of the House of Lords, David Blunkett.
New members of the board are Josh Wintersgill, a British entrepreneur, aspiring Paralympian and inventor of the easyTravelseat which enables wheelchair users to transfer with more safety, dignity and comfort in and out of their wheelchairs to an aircraft seat; and Emily Yates, an accessibility consultant and broadcaster who advises on disability issues.
Both Josh and Emily use their lived experience as wheelchair users to change the way businesses perceive disability for the better. They join long-standing board members Roberto Castiglioni MBE, an aviation accessibility policy expert and Ann Frye, an international specialist in meeting the transport needs of a diverse range of travellers requiring assistance.
David Blunkett, EATAB Chair, former Cabinet Minister and Member of the House of Lords said: “I am pleased to chair the reconstitution of the Advisory Board, welcome the new members who will provide invaluable advice and have the continued support of the easyJet team and its leadership. The Board’s members will work hard to help to continue to transform the passenger experience, and support the airline in its commitment to bring about continuous improvement.”
Emily Yates, EATAB Board member, accessibility consultant and broadcaster, said: “I’m pleased to be working with easyJet and others with personal and professional lived experience to build positive and sustained change from the inside out: operationally, digitally and within the built environment.”
Antonio Shabbir, Customer Experience Director for easyJet said: “It’s our mission to make travel easy and accessible, no matter what our customers’ needs and so I’m delighted to be relaunching our advisory Board, which has played a key role in helping us to drive improvements in accessibility over the years and we are grateful for the support of all members both existing and new to continue this important work.”
easyJet provides a range of assistance options to support passengers with disabilities. Cabin crew are provided with continuous training on supporting passengers with disabilities and those requiring additional assistance when they fly and a dedicated special assistance customer service team is available to ensure customers with specific needs are supported with their enquiries.
easyJet carries around 2000 customers each day across its network who require special assistance – more than 760,000 this year. The airline’s customer satisfaction scores for those travelling with special assistance have over many years consistently tracked ahead of overall customer satisfaction and the airline remains committed to continuously improve this with the support of EATAB.
Tags: David Blunkett, Emily Yates, EATAB, Antonio Shabbir, easyJet,
