FRAUD! How Air Montenegro is Systematically Scamming Passengers

• Airline: Air Montenegro
• Class: Economy & Business
• Route: Prague (PRG) to Zurich (ZRH) via Podgorica (TGD)
• Aircraft: Embraer E190

Montenegro is a stunningly beautiful nation with crystal-clear waters and breathtaking mountain landscapes. It’s a country that deserves a boutique, proud flag carrier to match its tourism potential. Instead, it has Air Montenegro, an airline that has officially claimed the title of “Europe’s Dodgiest Airline.”

I recently flew their Embraer 195 from Prague to Podgorica and back, fully intending to review both their economy and business class products. What I uncovered instead was a systematic scam, a filthy hard product, and a crew that completely disregards basic safety.

Here is why you need to avoid Air Montenegro at all costs.

The most alarming part of my journey happened at the check-in desk in Podgorica. I had booked a Business Class ticket for roughly $500. However, the check-in agent handed me an economy boarding pass without saying a word.

When I questioned the downgrade, I was given a rehearsed excuse: “We changed the aircraft type today.”. This is a blatant lie. Air Montenegro operates a tiny fleet of identical Embraer 195s with the exact same configuration. The plane even had the business class divider curtain installed.

Even worse, they refused to process a refund at the airport. I was told to “just send an email”. I quickly learned that I am not alone. Several other passengers and creators, including Mark (The Airline Tester), experienced the exact same fraud. They quietly downgrade you, keep your premium fare, and hope you never fight them for the refund. That isn’t bad service, that is theft.

If you are hoping the economy experience makes up for it, think again. For a €250 one-way economy ticket, here is what you get:

• The Hardware: The cabins are absolutely filthy. Boarding my second flight, it was clear no cleaning had taken place during the turnaround..
• The Comfort: The air conditioning overhead nozzles were completely broken and jammed shut. You cannot open them, meaning no cold air circulation in the cabin. There is also zero in-flight entertainment or Wi-Fi.
• The Catering: A tiny bottle of water and a single cookie or packet of peanuts. That’s it.

I always say that a great cabin crew can save a bad hard product. Unfortunately, the crew on Air Montenegro might be the most uninspired and grumpy set of flight attendants I have ever encountered.

From the moment you step on board, there are no smiles and no greetings. But my main issue is their disregard for safety. During my flights, the crew ignored obvious safety hazards like open overhead bins.. As soon as the seatbelt sign switched off, the cabin manager disappeared into the flight deck for the majority of the flight, leaving the rest of the crew to play on their phones in the rear galley.. There was absolutely zero cabin supervision.

Air Montenegro reminds me exactly of my experience with Bulgaria Air back in 2021, soulless, uninspired, and delivering the bare minimum. (To Bulgaria Air’s credit, they took the feedback, overhauled their product, and are now fantastic).

With only three planes, Air Montenegro could easily be an incredible boutique airline showcasing local food and warm Balkan hospitality. Instead, rumors suggest hiring is based on nepotism rather than skill, and it shows.

Final Score: 1/10

Do not fly Air Montenegro. If you want to visit this beautiful country, fly Lufthansa, Austrian, or any other carrier. Do not let this airline scam you out of your hard-earned money.

Have you ever been scammed by an airline? Please share this post to help warn others.

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This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!