Aircon not working on plane

j69ant

Hi,

We were travelling back from Majorca with Monarch on Sunday and boarded the plane at the expected time.. The flight should have been at 11.30, and we boarded at approx 11.15.

As soon as we got on the plane, it was obvious that something was not right. It was like a sauna. We took our seats and realised that blowers were not blowing any cold air. Within 10 minutes, the plane was full of unhappy passangers, complaining about the heat.

Instead of leaving at 11.30, there was an announcement, that the aircon was not working, and they were working to resolve.

People were complaining and the staff basically said there was no choice. One person asked to leave the plane as they felt ill... We ended up stripping our baby down to her nappy.. T-Shirts were soaked with sweat, hair dripping etc... All in all a horrible experience. People were asking for drinks, and the staff refused. Staff and customers were sitting there using the emergency policy leaflets at fans..

We eventually took off at 12.13, an hour after boarding. Thankfully the aircon did work, once moving. Which left people sitting in damp clothes.

The pilot then appologised for the issue, informing people that they has been aware of the issue prior to arriving in Majorca, and had asked the Spanish airport to provide the relevant portable aircon units.. However, there had been an issue with this. So they let people board anyway.

People were asking about compensation on the day, and the Stewardesses said that wouldnt be possible.

Can anybody advise on this? I paid several hundred pound for a flight that i can honestly say was the worse flying experience ive ever had.

Thanks

photome

I had the same on a BA flight back from Las Vegas, delayed by over an hour, sitting on the tarmac, then a 10 flight, it did get slightly better when we were moving but not by much.

I complained to BA and got......nothing

pinkteapot

The aircon worked as soon as the plane started moving?

I appreciate that the hour on board before this was very uncomfortable, but during the flight itself the problem was resolved.

Good luck with the compensation claim. I commuted to London by train for several years and spent many a sweaty hour on trains with inadequate ventilation or broken-down aircon systems.

Write a letter of complaint to the airline if you want - you might get a small voucher for your trouble.

jacques_chirac

You have no statutory right to compensation. I appreciate it must have been uncomfortable, but you got home safely and with little delay. I'd let it go and use a different airline next time - Monarch are the pits.

ttoli

Sorry, but Auxillary power was off for an hour and there was a little discomfort,the Captain made a public apology,once the flight departed the Air Con started working and you want compensation??, No wonder Airlines have to Increase their flight prices every year!!

pelirocco

Flew back from Rome once with BA , their air con wasnt working on the ground , for which they apologised , no big deal .Air con started working as soon as we took off , and only a very short flight home , as was yours

Westin

And if Monarch delayed the flight on the ground to fix the APU then I guess you would equallybe looking for compensation for the flight delay.

SailorSam

Pity you couldn't open a window.

j69ant

Thanks for the "sensible" replies..

Regards

Everynamestaken

You had 1 hour of discomfort...granted, but is it worth asking for compensation?

I despise this culture now. If anything isn't of peoples satisfaction, then people ask for compensation. It just doesn't seem the norm anymore for a human apology to suffice, and then move on from the matter.

C_Mababejive

I think that although it was uncomfortable, it would not have been unduly so given the ambient conditions in Majorca at the time. I do not think that the inconvenience was substantial nor that there was sufficient detriment to warrant compensation. What should they have done? Not flown the plane? that would have been worse and extremely costly and inconvenient for all..

Last week i was delayed at EFL due to industrial action by the hard pressed Greek folk. It was considerably hotter. The airlines and their staff did an excellent job of expediting departure once it was possible to do so. Full marks to Thomson and Olympic reps.