MONARCH AIRLINES   Passenger Reviews and Customer Trip Reports

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  1 February 2009 : by Michael Black

London Gatwick to Mombasa and return. Paid for Premium Class and was well worth it. Dinner and breakfast going were both excellent and cabin staff helpful and unobtrusive. Flight landed on time. Seat back TV was great and a good choice of films. Food on return sector not so good but nonetheless adequate. The seats were leather and very comfortable with good leg room although I had four seats to myself coming back. Would definitely travel with Monarch again but only in Premium Class as Economy looked very cramped.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  26 January 2009 : by P Cronin

Dublin to Lanzarote return. First time with this airline and one of the best flights I've had in a long time .When checking in we asked if there were any seats available with extra leg room and were given these free of charge. Flight took off on time and crew were very friendly and attentive. We were surprised to receive a nice hot meal which must have been included in the package. Return journey also excellent no delay's - extra leg room again free of charge and flight arrived ahead of schedule.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  19 January 2009 : by L Ferguson

Gatwick to Male. Although neither my husband or myself are particularly vertically challenged I had booked extra legroom seats as some of the reviews had been quite scathing. We got two seats right at the front by the exit doors - aisle and the middle. Glad I booked them - but the main problem was with the width of the seats. Have never sat in such small seats in my life - mostly travel by charter not scheduled but these must be the smallest. Crew ok, not too much selling and as this was a night flight we were left alone mostly. Pillow and blanket on seat which we were not charged for as was stated in a previous review and also were offered headphones - again free of charge. My own worked as long as you had a double jack for the socket. Left 25mins late due to weather but made up time on the way. Flight not full and people asked if they could change seats - if moving to extra leg room or premium they were made to pay up front which was good to see for those of us who had already paid. Return with same crew. Day flight which was extremely long as winds against us. Flight full and a lot of very small children - same seats for us by the exit door. This time round the crew chose to move some people around and they were put into extra leg room seats free of charge. There was also a disabled child by the exit door which was puzzling. Food reasonable, not too much selling by crew although drinks went so well that it took an hour for the trolley to come through and then a lot of things had run out. All in all not as bad as I'd feared but won't travel with them long haul unless I absolutely have to.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  19 January 2009 : by Nigel Craig

Newcastle to Sanford. Party of 5 booked premium cabin. Flight was delayed 3 hours - apart from this no complaints, plane was a bit old but clean and comfortable. I am a big bloke but no problem with seats and legroom. Food good and plentiful entertainment. Staff were excellent.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  13 January 2009 : by D Goodman

A330 from London - Calgary Return. I paid for the Extra Legroom as I am 6'1" along with my partner and we requested the 2 seats towards to rear of the aircraft. These seats are worth the weight in gold! When seated there was still at least 5" of knee room in front of me either with the seat in front reclined. The outbound flight arrived early, inbound was delayed 2 hours but this was no fault of Monarch as a resort transfer coach broke down in the snow so can't blame them for that. Food on board was adequate and in the main cabin you have to pay for everything, I would recommend if you are not drinking alcohol buy it prior to boarding and use your own on board. Makes it's a lot cheaper. Cabin Crew all seemed very friendly and polite, Although the whole flight is very 'Sell, Sell, Sell'. Only downside is no seatback TV's. You have to watch the small flip down TV's scattered throughout the cabin. Check-in at both ends was quick and smooth. A pleasant experience and you get what you pay for, If you don't pay for the extra legroom you can't expect comfort on board a flight!

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  13 January 2009 : by J Stevens

Gatwick to Lanzarote return scheduled flights with airline meal and extra legroom seats. Very satisfied having now found an airline to match BA/GB airlines now discontinued on this route. Monarch now our preferred supplier.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  9 January 2009 : by Barbara Bourhill

Having flown with Monarch on several occasions and been happy with the service I have recieved. I pay for seats together for myself and my husband. On the outward journey we were allocated two really good seats 6a/6b - for the first time we were not over the wing and we had a window seat and plenty of leg room, but our joy didn't last. We were asked very sternly if we were sitting in our correct seats after showing our boarding pass - the head stewardess said the seats have been double booked and you will have to move. Although we said we did not want to move, she said we are not entitled to sit where we want to, and to our embarrassment she stood over us till we moved - even though we told her we had pre-booked our seats together. On the inward journey we weren't even allocated seats together, even though we had paid to do so. I was given a card to fill in which was given to the stewardess, but have still not heard from Monarch as yet.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  6 January 2009 : by J Newton

Flew to Orlando Sanford with Monarch from Gatwick. We had paid for premium cabin seats. We left home at 2am for our 8am flight as we wanted to check in early and dump our bags. We go to the airport only to be told that our plane had been cancelled and that they were going to use another airline that had no premium cabin. We were offered £8 meal vouchers as compensation. We were then also told that there would be a 6 and a half hour delay. We finally boarded our plane at 1340. Our daughter is disabled and was very distressed. What was even more distressing was that when we got onboard the check in staff had given out incorrect seat numbers (they didn't exist on this plane) so we then had 3 passengers all fighting over each seat as they has merged our flight with another. After 40 mins of arguing amongst passengers with the staff on board doing nothing the Captain finally came out and had to make some people leave the plane. There was a further delay whilst their luggage was unloaded and we finally left Gatwick at 1440 - what should have been a 8am flight. The ground staff at Gatwick were useless, no sympathy at all. We received no compensation but we did get our premium cabin upgrade money refunded.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  3 January 2009 : by J Gower

Alicante to Manchester 31 December 2008. The first time for years that I have not been able to be upgraded to extra legroom seats. Seems they punished me and put me on Row 25 on an Airbus A321 - reduced pitch from standard and fixed backrest. Cabin crew commented that this row normally reserved for Children. Very uncomfortable and staff not interested - too busy to sell, sell, sell. The days of Monarch quality and service are now long gone - whats the point in having a Gold card? book now on price as Monarch is no better than easyjet or Ryanair.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  31 December 2008 : by I Goossens

Gatwick to Maldives. Staff very friendly, departed 30 mins late on each occasion. Paid for the extra legroom. In spite of that, the trip was very uncomfortable, as the seats on the A330 are so narrow that my wife who weighs only 50kg could hardly fit in. I'm twice her size and for me it was torture. The other passengers used my extra legroom as an exercise area, so I had no rest with people constantly tripping over my feet. The A330 is simply too small for an 11 hour flight. The temperature in the plane was very cold, and I was provided with a blanket the size of a towel to try and kep warm. On a trip to the restroom I noticed the cabin crew refilling used water bottles from a jug and then selling it on to passengers at £3.00 for 200ml in unsealed bottles as "spring water from the Pennines, bottled at source". I also had to buy headsets to listen to the entertainment, but had to return them again afterwards.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  28 December 2008 : by L Eames

LGW to Larnaca in extra leg room seats. There was plenty of leg room for a five hour flight. Flight crew were friendly and helpful. Inflight entertainment a bit old fashioned (small drop-down screens every four seats). Return journey problematic. We were called for boarding at correct time into a small holding area. Very soon not only was there no seating available, but standing room was limited. We stood there for three quarters of an hour with no explanation. Larnaca ground staff could tell us very little as they claimed aircraft staff were not communicating with them, other than to say there was a problem with the aircraft. Many families had small children. We consequently left late, with only the briefest of explanations from the captain, that they had experienced "a small technical hitch" which had now been rectified. As a nervous flyer, I couldn't help thinking that the Madrid crash resulted from a "technical hitch which had been rectified". Other than this, the flight was unremarkable.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  13 December 2008 : by I Woznicki

Faro to Manchester, 10th December. I happened to take ill about a half hour from Manchester. The cabin crew were excellent and the attention I received was first class. They arranged for a paramedic to board the aircraft at Manchester. He too was excellent and arranged for my daughter to come and meet me. I am now completely recovered. Many, many thanks.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  11 December 2008 : by D Bassett

Flying with Monarch from Gatwick to Luxor recently was a whole new unpleasant experience. The seats on the Airbus going out were so narrow that you felt restrained and when the table is pulled up from the arm forget moving as this is impossible. One couple paid £100 for extra leg room in the front seats and we all agreed they had very little more room than our seats and people insisted in using their space to change to the other toilet queue. However it was the return journey which taught my family a whole new stress level. We arrived at the check in to be told sorry no more seats. When the staff stopped laughing they did mention that we could possible go to Manchester or wait for 2 days for another flight. We were absolutely staggered that this could happen. At no time did this rubbish airline warn us this could happen. If we had been late we could have understood it but we tried to check in at the time suggested.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  28 November 2008 : by E Morris

Gatwick - Luxor. Outbound, meal very nice. Had upgraded for extra legroom on way out, unfortunately wasn't able to get three seats together on way back so we had usual seats. It is worth paying for the extra leg room if you can. The cabin crew were efficient and pleasant, so the only downside is space, or lack of it. I love Egypt and want to go back, but I would always opt for upgraded seats if possible. Its a shame that this spoils it for Monarch. We had a delay on way home and no announcements or explanations were made, so it was a bit of a nuisance waiting to board. As we were arriving late at night into Gatwick, people had missed their last trains home etc.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  28 November 2008 : by A Chilton

Flew to Mexico - never again with Monarch Airlines - delayed 7 hours going out from Newcastle - offered food voucher £6.00. Total travel time to reach destination 23 hours. I am female and 5'9" tall, most uncomfortable seats I have ever sat in, no leg room even on an aisle seat, the food was poor. They tell you to walk about the plane on long haul flights, no chance on this plane especially if there was a queue for the loo. Coming back flight was on time and onboard films OK (past the time), however waited over an hour for baggage at Newcastle Airport. Never again

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  28 November 2008 : by Heather Blackhall

Gatwick-Tenerife return flight in November on Monarch scheduled flights. We paid for extra leg room seats and felt that the extra £100 cost was worth the money. Both our flights departed on time, meal to purchase (£6 including tea/ coffee and refill) was in my opinion equal to what we used to get on BA supposedly free. Cabin crew friendly and helpful. An efficient service which I would certainly purchase again.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  22 November 2008 : by H Gerald

London Luton to Tenerife 17 November 2008. We didn't pay for any extras; took food, MP3 player and headset, and bought a bottle of water after security. Standard seats are okay, obviously not ultra- roomy but seem normal for a European short haul economy class. I'm a normal size and didn't find them too narrow, and they recline a bit and armrests go back which is more than can be said for Easyjet. Crew friendly enough and no problems with hard sell. Flight left a little late but arrived on time and baggage brought out quickly. For a hundred quid return, totally acceptable and would use them again - so let's hope they do as well on the way home!

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  21 November 2008 : by R Cooper

Gatwick to Las Palmas return. Outbound flight delayed three hours and provided with vouchers to the value of GBP 4.00 not sure what that was meant to buy. Onboard new A321 very clean, professional crew. We had been allocated extra legroom seats which were comfortable. Outbound flight good onboard service, movie shown, crew friendly and professional - food ok by airline standard. Return flight very different old A321 and regular seats. I have never say in such tight, uncomfortable seats with no legroom. Crew very professional but this was the most uncomfortable flight I have ever travelled on and would never fly Monarch on a flight over 2 hours again. They are not cheaper than other airlines flying the route especially if you start paying for extra legroom and meals etc.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  15 November 2008 : by K Harris

Gatwick to Sharm-el-Sheikh return. We had read all the reviews on here, and had the sense to take note of the people that advised us to book extra leg room. This is essential. It was the most uncomfortable flight I've ever been on. I'm reasonably tall, as is my boyfriend, but neither of us are particularly large - we just fitted in the seats. This is not an airline for anyone above average size! No padding in the seats. Despite having extra legroom, we were in row 9 going out and coming back, and people use this row as a short cut through to the aisles. People stood there most of the flight to avoid the uncomfortable seats - not much fun for a 5 hour flight. Freezing cold on the flight out and stifling hot on the way back. Food some of the worst I have eaten on a plane. I'm vegetarian and booked a veggie meal each way - I finally got mine on the way out 90 minutes after everyone else had eaten - and it was not edible. Staff rude, unfriendly, unhelpful - haven't a clue what any of them are doing in a customer service based industry. Never again will we fly with Monarch!

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  13 November 2008 : by M Huddy

Gatwick to Luxor return. Flights on time both ways, meals okay, but what lets this airline down is the comfort. We paid for extra leg room, a must if you are reasonably tall, but the seat width is so narrow and seats need more padding.

MONARCH AIRLINES review :  9 November 2008 : by Pat Taylor

Gatwick to Sanford. Our family paid £6,138 for return flights to Orlando, which should have included premium cabin seats. On check in we were handed a letter from Monarch informing us that due to technical problems we would be flying on an Omni Air aircraft, would not be receiving premium cabin service, and to contact our travel agents on return for a refund. The check in person, was rude, unhelpful and did not ask any security questions. The aircraft was disgusting, the toilets were smelly, the tray table in front of my daughter had been taped up with gaffer tape and she spent the entire flight trying to keep it from falling down. The crew were excellent, although on boarding a 'gentleman' who did not identify himself told us that he would explain once only the situation and we were not to bother the crew with questions. We had no choice of food, no alcoholic drinks (not that this bothered us unduly), no duty free, no extra leg room and indifferent food. Our refund from Cosmos - 1st offer £300, 2nd offer £600, compensation? what a joke, I will never ever use Monarch/Cosmos again. All those reading this, do yourself a favour, steer well clear of this company.