flying with children & animals

flying with infants

Monarch will do everything possible to assist passengers with young children. Here is our advice for a stress-free journey:

• Don't forget that you can pre-book your seats*. This is a good way to make sure you will be sitting next to your children during the flight. (*subject to availability).
• Please note that unfortunately we cannot offer emergency exit row extra legroom seats to anyone under the age of 16. For safety reasons and to comply with CAA regulations, anyone occupying those seats must be able bodied and over 16 years of age. For more information click here.
• We advise passengers with children to check-in early to avoid queuing. Our check-in desks open at least 2 hours prior to departure.
• Infants travel on their parents laps with the use of an extension seat belt. Parents carrying infants will be issued with seats that allow for an extra drop down oxygen mask for infants in the event of an emergency.
• Infants do not receive any baggage allowance; however items for an infant such as a buggy or travel cot should be accepted for carriage free of charge.
• Infants do not receive a meal on board as part of the normal catering service, however parents are welcome to take their own baby food on-board and the crew, where possible, will help with heating bottles or jars of baby food.
• All Monarch aircraft have nappy changing facilities on-board in at least one WC.
• We do not have any heating facilities on the aircraft, however our crew can provide hot water to help baby feeding bottles.

infants in car seats

• Car seats may be used for any child under 3 but older than 6 months. In all cases the child's parent/guardian must occupy the adjacent seat.
• The seat must be capable of being secured firmly using the aircraft lap type seatbelt and must be forward facing.
• The lower part of the shell must not extend far beyond the forward position of the passenger seat cushion. Minimum seat cushion dimensions: depth 17in, width 16in.
• The car seat must have a rigid frame, the 'bucket' type seats with the carrying handle are not permitted.
• It's not possible for us to guarantee in advance that a seat is suitable for use. In the interests of safety, we reserve the right to refuse permission for the use of an infant car seat on any aircraft.

disabled children - the Travelchair

Monarch Airlines offers a specially designed chair for disabled children, known as the Travelchair. The Travelchair fits into the airline seats with adjustable security straps offering upper body support.

The Travelchair is suitable for most children aged 1 to 9 years and is available on request from our customer services department free of charge.

Click here to view a picture of the travel chair.

special needs adults/children - the Support Harness

We now offer a specially designed harness for special needs adults/children known as the Support Harness. The Support Harness is secured onto the airline seats with adjustable security straps offering upper body support.

The Support Harness is suitable for most special needs passengers and comes in two sizes, child for ages 10 to 15 years and adult for 16 years plus. The Support Harness is available from our customer services department free of charge.

Click here to view a picture of the Support Harness.

newly born infants

Please note that we cannot accept newly born infants on board Monarch Scheduled flights within the first seven days after birth. Similarly, we cannot accept mothers on board within the first fourteen days after giving birth.

unaccompanied minors - scheduled flights

Unfortunately we cannot carry unaccompanied minors on board Monarch flights. Anyone aged under 12 must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or over. Similarly, every infant must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or over. We no longer offer an escort service.

Portuguese nationals and non-Portuguese residents

Children under 18 years and leaving or re-entering Portugal, unaccompanied by their father, mother or legal guardian, need a travel authorisation. This travel authorisation must be:

• Signed by the father, mother or legal guardian; and the signature must be notarised if the father, mother or legal guardian reside in Portugal; or
• The signature must be authenticated by a Portuguese embassy or consulate in the country where the father, mother or legal guardian reside.
• This travel authorisation is also required when a person other than their father, mother or legal guardian accompanies minors. In such cases the travel authorisation must also clearly show the name of the accompanying person.
• Non-Portuguese resident minors under 18 years and traveling alone may be refused entry if they do not have anyone in Portugal taking responsibility for their stay.

flying with animals

Monarch is happy to carry pets, under the current PETS Passport Scheme as authorised by the DEFRA. Please note:

• Carriage is subject to availability and a charge will be made for each pet carried. A maximum of 6 animals will be permitted on each flight.
• Pets can be carried from all Monarchs scheduled UK departure airports, but for the time being can only be returned via London Gatwick & Manchester.
• Animals are carried in the hold of the aircraft.
• No animals are permitted in the passenger cabin or to be carried as excess luggage.
• No pets are carried on Saturdays and Sundays.
• The carriage of ALL pets shall be conducted in accordance with the current 'Carriage of Animals' regulations, as published by IATA, and the Pet Passport Scheme requirements as required and published by DEFRA.

Animal reception centres - opening times
London Gatwick – Animal Air Care
Monday to Friday: 06.00 – 22.00
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays: 06.00 – 19.00

Manchester – Pets On Jets
Monday to Friday: 05.00 – 20.00
Saturdays: 05.00 – 16.00

For further details, and to make all the necessary arrangements, please call 0845 680 9002.