EasyJet pilots wrongly calculated the length of a runway due to an airport's "confusing naming".
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Lenesha Riley said she only realised in Berlin she had her son's passport, not her own.
Read moreEasyjet leads the FTSE winners
Easyjet led the FTSE 100 risers today after it reported "strong" trading in the first quarter of its financial year and lifted its revenue growth forecast.
The budget airline soared 4.62% to 1,517.
Other key risers included L&G, up 1.79% at 307.60, and Melrose Industries, up 1.60% at 241.70.
EasyJet helped by Thomas Cook's demise
EasyJet says one of the factors helping its strong revenue growth was the demise of travel firm Thomas Cook last year, which removed one of its competitors.
The airline said revenue per seat climbed by 8.8% in its first quarter, beating expectations.
The company launched EasyJet Holidays in November last year, and it said this part of its business is expected to at least break-even for the financial year to 30 September 2020.
EasyJet said it expected to report a pre-tax loss for the first half of its financial year that is smaller than last year, when it reported a £275m loss.
EasyJet upgrades revenue outlook after 'strong' quarter
EasyJet has lifted its forecast for revenue growth after enjoying "strong" trading in the first quarter of its financial year.
The airline's revenue rose by 9.9% to £1.425bn in the three months to 31 December 2019, with the number of passengers carried climbing by 2.8% to 22.2 million.
EasyJet said that revenue per seat in the first half of the year was now expected to increase by "mid to high single digits", which was an upgrade on its previous expectation of a rise of "low to mid single digits".
The carrier's chief executive, Johan Lundgren, said: "I'm pleased that we have made a strong start to the year with continued positive momentum.
"The improvement in our revenue per seat has been driven by our self-help revenue initiatives combined with robust customer demand and a lower capacity growth market."
Ryanair profit upgrade lifts rivals' shares
A profit upgrade by Ryanair (see earlier post) boosted share prices for its fellow airlines.
Easyjet is leading the FTSE 100 risers, with its share price up 5.6% at £15.19.
It is followed by BA-owner IAG, up 4.4% at 662.8p.
On the FTSE 250, Wizz Air's share price is 4.7% ahead at £40.37.
Packing company Mondi is the FTSE 100's biggest faller so far, down 1.9% £16.79, after announcing its chief executive Peter Oswald is stepping down.
Discount chain B&M has emerged as one of retail's losers over the Christmas period leads the FTSE 250's biggest fallers, down 7.6% at 367.1p.
The airline said medical assistance was provided after someone was taken ill en route from Alicante.
Read moreHiscox looks set to be replaced by Easyjet in the FTSE 100
The fall in the share price of insurer Hiscox we mentioned earlier - it's now dropped to 1,316 after losing 3.45% of its value - could see it lose its place in the blue-chip index tomorrow.
The insurer has only been in the FTSE 100 since last December but has seen its shares plunge 26% from a July peak of 1,777 after being hit by catastrophic weather events, such as the Japanese typhoon.
It is like to be replaced in the reshuffle - which will be confirmed after tomorrow's close - by Easyjet, reckons Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor.
The budget airline was demoted from the index in June but its expected quick return follows a rise of 57% since its low point in early June.
"Recent strike action within the industry has actually played into Easyjet’s hand in the last few months, given disruption at the likes of British Airways and Ryanair, while the unfortunate demise of Thomas Cook could also provide further opportunities," pointed out Hunter.
Easyjet is 'taking advantage of others misfortune'
Chris Daly, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, is not impressed by EasyJet's relaunch of its package holiday business. He said:
The airline is taking advantage of the misfortunes of others by moving into the package holiday business, filling the gap left by Thomas Cook. Expect to see a big advertising push that creates an emotional connection with consumers as the carrier tries to sell personalised packages as well as flights. The company has been shrewd in paying £36m for Thomas Cook’s runway slots at Gatwick and Bristol, but can chief executive Johan Lundgren and his team convince customers they are more than just a budget airline?
The airline is seeking to move into the gap in the industry left by the demise of Thomas Cook.
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