Montenegro Airlines

INI-TGD-LGW Flight from Niš to Podgorica by Fokker 100 in fairly good condition although leather seats had seen better days plenty of leg room flight attendants friendly and came round with a drinks run. Podgorica to LGW also a Fokker 100 less leg room and some seats were broken. A drinks run and sandwich offered. About 40 minutes into the flight the captain explained that there was a problem and would have to refuel in Ljubljana. On the ground for 45 minutes and then onto LGW. Another drink run after leaving Ljubljana. Crew were attentive and friendly.

FRA-TGD-FRA. Very old and shabby looking Fokker 100 (Ex. TAM Brazilian Airlines). Plane was dirty inside warning stickers hardly readable due to aging. Seats almost falling apart. Overall impression of the planes gives a really unsafe feeling. Unfriendly and uninterested crew. Delays on inbound and outbound flight no explanation at all. Not recommendable!

TGD-LGW. Arrived at LGW on nearly full plane. Flight delayed approx 1 hour although we only took off 20 mins late. Only 40 bags arrived at carousel at LGW. Announcement made after 1 hour of standing around. Bags not loaded at TGD. Mad scramble to fill out forms for lost baggage with ServisAir. Have heard of this happening before and now it has happened to me. What a shambles this airline is.

London - Tivat in September 2009. Check in desk opened only 45 minutes before the flight - tickets stated that we had to be there 2 hours in advance. Business class seats comfortable but food served same as Economy Class : dry small roll with the tiniest piece of cheese and ham imaginable low quality orange juice served with it and a small pack of some kind of chocolate biscuit! The crew ate (quite loudly!) behind the small front curtain immediately before they started serving the meal to the passengers. During boarding we noticed that a young family was seated in business class - because it was not fully booked and they knew one of the FAs who upgraded them immediately. Co-pilot also sat in the first row and slept there stretching himself over three empty seats! We were truly stunned. Flight from Tivat was delayed for about 2 hours without any explanation. The security officer at the passport and luggage control was reading local newspaper - one could carry anything through - luckily no incidents. On the way back from Tivat same dreary food was offered which many refused. Early in the flight supply of water in the lavatory (the only one!) was lost completely and when asked about it one of the female crew shrugged without explanation. As a result everyone using the lavatory could not wash their hands. We were very disappointed with the whole experience on this return trip and would not recommend the airline unless there was an enormous emergency!

Frankfurt - Podgorica a couple of times recently. Flights on time. Seats in Fokker 100 are fairly spacious. Cabin interior in good condition considering that Fokker's are fairly old. Flight attendants young and pleasant good knowledge of English uniforms are good too. Served sandwich was nothing special (toast size bread must be day or two old) drinks served throughout the flight. Overall good experience would fly with them again.

LGW-TIV return. Outward check in at LGW opened 10 mins after last published check in time and flight was delayed about one hour half of which we were on the plane with no explanation given. Flight was good and crew pleasant and attentive. Return check in at TIV was prompt and boarding and the flight were good. Crew again pleasant and attentive. Only delay on return was LGW providing steps to disembark! Both flights were Fokker 100 which although a little scruffy were more comfortable with greater legroom than some up to date aircraft we've flown in. Would fly with them again.

TIV-BEG return route. The 35-40 minute flight is quick and easy and landing in TIV can be spectacular. Flight crew seem efficient and reasonably friendly but it scarcely matters when the flight is so quick. Ditto the meal with which I seldom bother opting instead for juice or tea. The airline is upgrading to new Embraer jets which is a welcome event. From Tivat they've also just expanded to service London (LGW) in addition to Paris but the flight times are not hugely convenient. It would be great if they could add more routes from TIV. TGD-FCO flight which leaves mid-day Friday and returns Sunday night is brilliant.

TIV-BEG return both flights operated by Fokker 100. Check in and security control at Tivat quick and efficient. Departure to Belgrade was delayed more than three hours. For two hours we were waiting in front of the gate without any explanation. There was no one from Montenegro Airlines to explain delay no airport staff duty free closed no one. After two hours through the loudspeaker we were informed that we will take off when the aircraft arrives from TGD as our plane had technical problems. Finally after we departed selection of soft drinks was served. Aircraft worn out dirty seat belt sign above my seat broken no inflight magazine no emergency situations card pocket in front of my seat. On the other hand legroom great and cabin attendants polite and professional. BEG-TIV leg was operated by the aircraft pretty much in the same condition inflight service the same. On return everything was on time. Departure procedures at BEG and arrival at TIV smooth.

Montenegro Airlines is a decent airline with possibility for expansion and becoming serious competitor to middle sized airlines in the region such as JAT Airways Croatia Airlines etc. It uses a fleet of modern clean and well-maintained Fokker's F-100 fully fitted with leather seats and decent legroom. I was surprised to find out that business class seats were exactly the same as economy ones. All the crew were nice and young and had a constant smile. They seemed a little bit lazy but were efficient. A nice sandwich with Prosciutto salad and chesse in a fresh mini baguette two drinks and coffe or tea on a 40 minute flight from Tivat to Belgrade and back was a pleasant surprise. Would fly with them again and another reason is their frequent flyer program (Vision) and reasonable prices.