flights booking terms - refusal of carriage of passengers

Using reasonable discretion, it is possible that a passenger may be refused carriage, or be removed from the aircraft, for the following reasons:

• Such action is necessary for reasons of safety.
• The conduct, status, age, mental or physical condition of the passenger is such that they require special assistance, could cause discomfort, make themselves objectionable or involve any hazard or risk to themselves or other passengers and property.
• The passenger fails to observe instructions from cabin staff. In such cases, the Captain operating the flight or Senior Traffic Representative may refuse to let a passenger board and, when deemed necessary, mark the ticket of such a passenger as having been refused carriage.If you require further information, please click here.

consumption of alcohol

Research has shown that alcohol and drugs are the root of most in-flight passenger disruptions. Cabin crew will rigorously enforce the restrictions and general rules regarding alcohol consumption and the taking of banned substances on board Monarch aircraft.

drink sold on board

Under the general law, aircrew always have the right to refuse to sell alcohol, including 'duty free' bottles, to any passenger. In addition, aircrew have a duty to control the amount consumed by any passenger for the purpose of securing the safety of the aircraft and other passengers.

legal position

The law states that no person shall be drunk in any aircraft and Monarch and its aircrew have a legal obligation to uphold this regulation. The law also imposes an obligation on any passenger to obey all lawful commands given by the captain for the purpose of the safety, efficiency or regularity of the flight. Thus a passenger can be ordered by, or on behalf of, the captain to stop drinking. If the passenger refuses to obey such an order, they are acting illegally. They could then face a fine of up to £5000, two years imprisonment, or both.

disruptive passengers

Aircrew have a duty to control the amount of alcohol consumed by any passenger, therefore, they have a right to instruct a passenger not to consume alcohol from their own supply. Aircrew have a right to physically remove alcohol from a passenger to ensure they stop drinking. However, this is on the understanding that the alcohol will be returned at the end of the flight.

threatening, insulting or disorderly behaviour towards crew

The Air Navigation Order states that: while in an aircraft, no person shall:

• i) Use any threatening, abusive or insulting words towards a member of the crew of the aircraft
• ii) Behave in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a member of the crew of the aircraft; or
• iii) Intentionally interfere with the performance by a member of the crew of his aircraft duties

Offences of (i) and (ii) are punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding £2,500. Offence (iii) is punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding £5000 and on conviction on indictment by an unlimited fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.