...and I was about to book a flight to Malaga with Monarch...

Photo Credit: Birmingham Airport Photo Blog

I was on the cusp of booking a flight to Malaga on Monarch (to see Seville and Granada) - the total nightmare queues at BHX for Monarch check-in* and bag drop were putting me off - and now this has sealed the issue.

*The website seems to suggest that online check-in is only available to those choosing an upgrade package.  So if you just have carry on luggage but don't want to wait at the airport - that is £40 extra please.  OK I might have got this wrong but there is nowhere that shows you exactly what you get for the Standard Fare and the Essentials Pack specifically lists Online Check in as a benefit.  Anyway...

Its a Lithuanian plane chartered to Monarch.

Quotes from the BBC Website "its the oldest plane I have been on" (1988 apparently, which is only middle aged for a B737) and one bloke (jokingly but prophetically) texted his girlfriend the location of his current will before takeoff from France.

It is an ex-Germania, ex-Condor, ex-Delta jet now operated by Aurela - fleet consisting of two Boeings.  They also provide planes to Thomas Cook Airlines.

"Aurela is being the first Airline in Lithuania to acquire Airworthiness Management Organization Approval Certificate. " (In 2009 it appears)