Before I tell you about my recent flight with Monarch, I have to give you some background info........

As we were walking down the corridor type walkway to the plane, I started to feel "funny".
When I say funny, I don't mean funny ha-ha, I felt awful.
My heart was pounding, I was sweating all of a sudden, I felt like I could hardly breathe, I felt sick and I had the overwhelming feeling that I had to run, get out, and quick!
I didn't realise then, but I was having a panic-attack.
I managed to get on the plane, and get through the flight, telling my mum in an urgent voice to talk to me," keep me occupied", then telling her to shut up coz I couldn't listen, poor mum, I think it was nearly as bad for her as she couldn't understand why I was freaking out.
Unless you have experienced this, you cannot comprehend how bad it makes you feel.
I couldn't enjoy my holiday, because all I could think of was the flight back - I was dreading it.
And yes, I was just as bad on the way back.
I did the same trip the following year, more as I test than anything. I couldn't understand why it had happened, I love flying and thought I might have been ill, an ear infection or something affecting my balance.
The second trip was just as bad, so bad that I decided that I wouldn't fly anymore and subsequent holidays were always taken by car and ferry, obviously restricting where I went.

It came to this year and on my birthday he would be away - I decided enough was enough. I gave myself a pep-talk and booked a flight to Spain with Monarch airlines (aha - we finally get to the Monarch bit I hear you say!).
I searched for ages on the net to find a flight on the days I needed, I was flying out on a Monday and back on the following Thursday. Monarch were the cheapest flying direct from Manchester, and had a good selection of flights and times to choose from, which was good because I needed to get into Spain and then get a train to where my boyfriends band had their gig.

The lady that I spoke to was very understanding. She arranged to have me sat at the front of the plane (she gave me the choice and that is what I asked for, she did say that some people feel batter at the back as it seems bigger from back there), she reserved my seat for me and gave me the seat number over the phone, and she also told me to talk to the cabin staff when I boarded and explain the situation. She said that was I had felt on my last flight was quite common, and that the staff were used to dealing with nervous flyers. I felt a lot better after talking to her and didn't feel as stupid as I had.

As I got on the plane, I was greeted by the crew who were all smiling and helpful. I explained my situation and they made me feel very comfortable and at ease. They took me to meet the pilot and see the cockpit and then got me seated. They said to call them immediately if I started feeling bad and they would come straight away.
Surprisingly, they made me feel so at ease that I had very few problems on the flight, a couple of times I felt a little uneasy but I just took a few deep breathes and I was fine. I didn't feel well enough to eat, but I had a couple of drinks which were reasonably priced.

On the Monday, I went to the Monarch info desk at the airport and collected my new ticket. No fuss or messing about, it took seconds before I was on my way to the check-in desk. Again the check-in staff were great, as were the gate staff, although I felt comfortable enough to board as normal with the rest of the passengers.

I would recommend Monarch to anyone, unless you are 7 feet tall and going a long way!