Airline apologises after refusing Jersey Pound

Monday 26 June 2017

When is a pound not a pound? When it comes from Jersey, according to one low-cost airline offering flights to/from from the island.

Jet2.com has now been forced into an embarrassing climbdown after passenger Peter Kinley was frustrated to learn they would not accept his local notes on a flight from Leeds Bradford to Jersey earlier this month.

He had hoped he would be able to purchase some food, drink and duty free on his homeward travels, but, to his shock, was advised by the air steward that a Jersey pound was not accepted, as she couldn't find the right conversion rate into sterling. 

“She attempted to look for Jersey on her handheld machine but of course couldn’t find the exchange rate on it as Jersey currency is worth the same as Sterling,” he said. 

Despite his attempts to explain that the Jersey pound is not foreign currency and that he had used with it before, the steward – and later her supervisor too – maintained that he would not be allowed to pay with Island banknotes.

In an email to the airline’s customer service desk, Mr Kinley wrote: “Imagine all of the people travelling back from Jersey in possession of Jersey notes who want to buy goods on the plane. Seems a strange decision to me as you are missing out on sales. All other airlines, BA, Flybe, Easyjet and Aer Lingus (to name just a few) accept Jersey notes. But apparently not Jet2.”

Pictured: Jet2 staff erroneously told Mr Kinley that they would not accept Jersey money on their flights.

Following a delay of more than two weeks, a Jet2 Customer Service Executive responded:

“I was sorry to learn you were disappointed that we do not accept Jersey Pound as currency on our flights. I appreciate this was not a situation you were expecting prior to your journey, and please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this caused.

‘Having reviewed our website I can see that in out Jet2shop in-flight magazine, we do offer a full list of the currencies accepted on our flights, and I can confirm this does not include Jersey Pounds. I have requested this is reviewed by our Cabin Services team to see if they can advise upon the concerns you have raised regarding this, and review this if necessary.”

But following contact from Express, the airline backed down over the claims of their staff, stating that Mr Kinley’s experience was a one-off blunder.

A spokesperson commented: “The Jersey Pound is accepted on our flights. Unfortunately, this was an isolated mistake and we have contacted Mr Kinley to apologise.”

But this isn't the first time Island coinage and notes have caused confusion on the mainland.

Pictured: Jersey coin chaos left a Blackpool-based mum-of-six without a lift in February.

In February, a Blackpool mum was ordered off a bus after attempting to pay with a Jersey 50 pence piece, with a bus company spokesperson justifying the move by stating that Jersey money isn't 'legal tender'.

The money is, however, 'legal currency', meaning that while it's not automatically accepted in daily transactions in the UK, it can be if the person or business agree.