Monarch Airlines Passenger Reviews and Monarch Airlines Customer Trip Reports

Birmingham to Malaga return. Comfortable flights both ways with polite, attentive staff. Having read the horror stories about Monarch's sub-contracting to other airlines, I contacted them by email and received a reply confirming that we would have a Monarch plane and crew. The return flight was delayed by nearly 2 hours, allegedly because fog at Malaga had closed the airport. Whilst it had indeed been misty, we heard plenty of aircraft taking off as our hotel was under the flight path. Other airlines didn't seem to be suffering as much. I couldn't find any reference on the Internet to Malaga being closed, even searching in Spanish. On return to BHX the luggage took ages as usual, but that's not Monarch's fault.

Disgraceful disregard for passengers who booked flight only from Preveza to Manchester on Sunday 7/10/2012. Delay of just under 12 hours with no information or representative from the airline. Had to rely on Package holiday reps who informed us as to why the flight was delayed when the eventually turned up at the airport having kept their clients in the resorts till necessary. We were left with no answers from an original check in time from 11.30am till eventual take off at 12.55am the following morning. Not the cheapest of flights either given you pay extra for supposed daytime flights. Disgusted.

Arrived at Malaga for the flight to Manchester Sunday 7th October due to depart 19.05. Informed at the check in desk of a delay to 0455. A totally inadequate explanation of 'technical difficulties' handed out by the check in staff. A meal voucher of 25 euros was given. After a 10 hour delay we departed, and the pilot did explain that the day before three aircraft were unserviceable, hence the operational delay. I have been delayed on Monarch flights before, and it always appears to be worse on a Sunday, but this last trip was by far the worst. Over the years, Monarch have reduced all their levels of service, from their early days of their advertised 'Frills Included' to the virtually substandard levels today, Flight catering quality is poor, leg room has now been reduced to appallingly cramped measurements, and I am of normal build. Flight information concerning delays is non existent, and it appears that delays are becoming more and more frequent. Monarch needs to get it's act together provide a decent service and start behaving like a responsible and proper airline again.

Four hour delay last night from Palma to Manchester. Should have flown out at 1925 did not leave until 2330. Given a 6 euro token to spend in the airport. Told when on the plane by the captain delay caused by technical faults and another plane had to be used. The same thing happened the week before when going out to Palma, same reason given. If I had wanted to fly at an unsociable time I would have booked that. People book to fly at a time that suits them not take pot luck at when you arrive and depart. This airline is a joke and hopefully I will not be flying with them again.

An awful experience. 5 hour delay LGW-ALC, £5 voucher, no updates. Ground staff (handling agents) useless. Realise they had fleet issues, but why not give pax proper info and some service recovery? They kept bleating about their handbaggage policy, even as we disembarked. The cabin crew could have offered complimentary drinks as we had suffered such a long delay. This sort of level of service would not happen on a caring airline.

Plane 4 hours late, lost a day of our short break. Leg room the worst we have had, both medium build and it was difficult to use the table which was dirty anyway. Voucher at airport not enough to even buy a snack. Return flight an hour late, also very cramped and ran out of food. Luckily we didn't want any as the table dirty and table hinges thick with dust. Won't be using monarch again. Flight was to Malaga on 2nd october.

The ratings in this review are for my outbound journey from Manchester to Paphos. We were scheduled to fly at 9.40am but were delayed to 11.:30am. I found our extra legroom seats disappointing. Flight relatively pleasant, we excellent service from enthusiastic and helpful stewardess. Due to delay, breakfast was poor and served at 1pm. The real issues began after our holiday when we were informed at Paphos airport that our plane had been grounded due to ‘technical difficulties,’ and the passengers were to be split up and put on two separate flights back to the UK. The first group would be placed on a Spanish ‘Privilege’ airliner and the second would fly with Air Italy. Having done some research into Monarch I have found that this appears to be standard protocol. Luckily, we were on the first flight and therefore avoided the delay, although our plane was nothing more than the cramped conditions you would associate with Ryanair. The extra legroom I enjoyed on our outbound journey was not available. The Spanish crew were largely anonymous. Food comprised a soggy, tepid, cheese and ham toastie and a free soft drink. There was nothing in terms of in-flight entertainment, just a sequence of pictures shown on loop on the mini TV screens.

Birmingham to Faro return. Both aircraft were fairly new. We left and returned on time, no problems checking in, the staff on board were friendly. I have to say flights were fine and on this showing would certainly use this service again.

Absolutely disgusted. We paid for booked seats. Before we even started, they were all rearranged. Then when we got on the plane because there were empty seats, people who hadn't even paid got better seats than us. Coming home was even worse. Again a muck up with our seats. Trying to give us worse seats than a non payer. Then had to put up with severe rudeness from a man who worked for the Turkish airlines. After all that it took an hour and 20 minutes to get a drink. Our flight was only 3 and a half hours.

We have just returned from a weekend in Rome flying with Monarch. Outward flight was delayed by 2 hours due to a 'technical fault'. Flight was fine and stewardesses pleasant. On our return, flight was delayed by more than 6 hours. There were no representatives from Monarch and check-in staff were not very informative. Check-in at Rome was VERY slow and some passengers were almost turned away as final check-in time had been reached even though they had been waiting for ages. When we finally boarded at 2am in the morning we were again informed by the Captain that the delay had been due to a 'technical fault'. The trip had been organised to celebrate my husband's birthday with the family and this rather spoilt what was otherwise a lovely weekend. There were ten of us and most had to work in the morning. I would not travel again with Monarch if avoidable.

Flew from Birmingham to Palma on the 29th September and returned a week later. Newish Airbus A321 both ways. Flight was early going out and on time returning. The plane was spotless and the cabin crew very friendly. Only fault was the quality of the coffee.

Manchester to Gran Canaria in September 2012. The flight departed right on time with no waiting around. Can't fault Monarch on this as we left and arrived on time which is the most important thing. The aircraft was clean inside, although the cabin does look a bit dated and could do with a refresh. Legroom pretty poor, which was to be expected. Monarch always seem to be the worst for legroom in my experience, not helped by the design of the seats which doesn't make for a comfortable flight. Service the usual snacks, drinks and duty free. The crew were so slow at bringing the drinks round. We had pre-ordered a bottle of Champagne and it was poor that when this finally arrived it hadn't been chilled. No inflight entertainment this time, looks like they have dropped this completely from their short haul flights. Would use Monarch again if the price and times were decent. Just wish their crew would be a bit friendlier and not look down on passengers as if they were an inconvenience to their day.

Recently flew MAN to Crete with Monarch. A321 in reasonable condition, but chewing gum stuck to the tray, and litter still in the seat pocket did not give a good impression. Meal on outward journey quite good and pleasant staff. Return 2 weeks later, miserable staff, inedible meal, passengers who had paid extra to sit together were split up all over the aircraft. We had paid for a meal, but no drinks service prior to the meal. Asked to purchase a bottle of wine, and was told it wasnt possible?? Strange, I thought Monarch wanted to screw every penny out of passengers. Return journey not a pleasant experience at all. Best part was the Captains address to the passengers - very informative. Wont be using Monarch in a hurry again.

Gatwick-Chania flight delayed 4+ hours due to a technical problem. Recent posts on Skytrax confirm that long delays on Monarch flights are frequent. £5 voucher to spend - miserable and insulting in view of the long delay. Replacement aircraft clean, cabin crew cheerful and helpful, seats very narrow and uncomfortable with tiny armrests. Very odd cabin service: activity packs, magazines sold first shortly after departure, then meals followed much later by drinks service. Most people expect to have a drink with their meal! All in all a miserable start to our holiday having arrived at Gatwick for 0835 check-in and arrived at our destination a little before midnight.