Smartwings flight returns to Prague to collect passengers left in VIP lounge

A Smartwings flight from Prague to Split experienced significant delays after the aircraft had to return to the gate to collect ten passengers left behind in a VIP lounge. The group, consisting of eight hostesses and two managers from the Hot Peppers club, was traveling to Croatia to film promotional material for a sailing event.

The initial delay caused a ripple effect across the aircraft's subsequent four destinations. By the final leg from Valencia to Prague, the delay had exceeded five hours, with passengers arriving the following day.

Some passengers have filed claims for compensation, including one individual seeking 1,600 euros for his family. Smartwings has rejected these claims, stating that the delays were due to air traffic control regulations on a preceding flight rather than the incident in the VIP lounge.