I WILL NEVER FLY MONARCH AGAIN (Monarch Airlines)

Member Name: M. Bennett

Product:	Monarch Airlines
Date:	29/04/09 (214 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: NONE

Disadvantages: PLENTY

No longer will I travel with Monarch, they are an absolute disgrace! I have been a frequent flyer with Monarch for the last six years, travelling from Malaga to Gatwick & return on average every three weeks. In addition I used to book all my family members & friends with the airline. I have always travelled carrying my trolley bag, which conforms to the airlines specifications in size, i.e. it fits into the cage that they use for measurement. In addition since the temporary one item rule was lifted at Gatwick, I carry my laptop bag. On no occasion have I ever encountered an issue with my on board luggage. Last month whilst boarding the flight to Malaga, just as I was walking toward the air bridge, I was stopped by an officious woman and asked to place my luggage on the scales. My trolley case weighed 13.2kg & my laptop bag 6kg. I was told that I had exceeded the weight limit and my trolley case would have to go in the hold and that I had to pay £17.00 on the spot! This was also happening to other passengers boarding the aircraft; the reason given was that the volume of luggage being taken onboard was causing flight delays. This procedure was certainly delaying the boarding of the aircraft! Whilst I appreciate that oversized items, should clearly not be allowed to be taken as hand luggage, baggage conforming to regulations should. The excuse given by Monarch was fallacious and purely revenue driven. As a consequence I refused to board the flight as a matter of principal. I then paid for another ticket with Easyjet, who have no weight restriction on hand luggage. I wrote to the airline's Director, responsible for scheduled services complaining of my experience, needless to say the reply I received just re stated "the party line". Having been a frequent flyer with Monarch, I hold one of their "Gold cards", in an e mail I received this morning, they are now withdrawing the privilege of the free use of the executive lounges, due to cost cutting measures. Somewhat worrying I think, perhaps they won't be around for much longer.

Summary: DREADFULL EXPERIENCE