EasyJet Pilot Updates Passengers on England-Switzerland Euro 2024 Match

Passengers aboard an easyJet flight during the recent European Championship quarter-final match between England and Switzerland were kept in the loop thanks to the aircraft's pilot. The captain provided updates on the game every 10 minutes over the PA system, even reaching out to other aircraft to get the latest scores.

On Sunday, as England faced Switzerland for a spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, many English passengers were unable to access the internet during their flight. The pilot took the initiative to keep them informed about the game. A passenger captured some of these announcements and shared them on social media. In one update, the pilot speculated the score might be nil-nil but then shared that he heard a rumor about a goal. He reported that Switzerland had scored, but England quickly equalized, which elicited cheers from the cabin.

The pilot was receiving updates from other aircraft via radio communication. When announcing the final score, confirming England's victory on penalties, he mentioned the information came from another aircraft, not easyJet. Despite his uncertainty about the information's accuracy, the pilot was correct: England won 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time.

England's semi-final match is set for Wednesday in Dortmund, where they will face the Netherlands. The demand for flights has caused prices to surge. Reports indicate no direct flights to Dortmund were available as of Monday, with itineraries requiring a stopover costing over £500 and some return fares exceeding £1,000.

With approximately 80,000 England fans expected in Dortmund, many will travel by car or bus, with half already in Germany. While Dortmund Airport (DTM) offers the most direct route to the Westfalenstadion stadium, its only nonstop UK connection is a daily Ryanair flight from Stansted. Alternatives include flying to Düsseldorf or Cologne, or flying to Amsterdam and crossing into Germany by land.