Monarch Airlines Passenger Reviews and Monarch Airlines Customer Trip Reports

On 9th Sep 2012 my husband and I flew from Birmingham to Malaga. We received a text from Monarch to inform us that they had changed our carrier, we were forewarned of this by our daughter, as she had the same thing happen to her in August. At check in we asked who we were flying with, to be told by a Monarch assistant that we were still on a Monarch plane. We chose aisle seats. We were called to board and then kept in a corridor for ages, with no seating or toilets. When we eventually got to see the plane it was a 737 300, at least 30 years old, Aurela airlines, Lithuania! On board we realised just how "tired" the plane was! I am 5 ft 6 ins and my knees were touching the seat in front. My husband is 6 ft 2 ins tall, normally not a problem with a Monarch plane, we have travelled with them for years, and never have to book extra legroom, but he could only get one leg in, but couldn't sit in the seat, he was perched at an angle! He told the cabin crew, who weren't very interested! The head stewardess asked him to move to an exit seat. The plane was very dirty, litter all over the floor. Trays were sticky - not pleasant. Lots of people were complaining. We still have to book a return flight, guess who we won't be looking to fly with!

Flight ZB3567 from Rome on 23rd September. No announcements in airport about boarding procedures, ie. by seating rows or advice to board from front or back of the plane, resulted in absolute chaos on board. We took off one hour late, most of which time was spent taxiing around the apron. During this time the heat on the aircraft was overwhelming, the fans having been turned off for a substantial period. There were no apologies from the crew of the unmarked replacement aircraft and in fact no announcements on board at all, apart from very short safety procedures demonstration. The combination of unmarked plane, chaos on board and lack of communication made one of our group, already a nervous flyer, almost sick with anxiety. I am a comfortable air passenger but was furious with the lack of care and lack of apology. Water and shortbread biscuits were distributed free during the flight but there was no other service. I will not be booking with Monarch again.

After an hour delay outbound from Gatwick to Florida where our plane had been changed from a long haul flight to something which was used to transport passengers to Spain, the plane was cramped and dirty, the staff were non apologetic for this. On the return journey the plane was obviously a hired plane as it had no Monarch branding and everything was in French, the first film they also showed was in French, after realising after an hour, they changed it to an English speaking film. The plane was also cramped and uncomfortable, the worst was the customer service of the cabin crew, who were all gossiping at the front of the plane, if staff were needed they ignored the buzzers. The tea was also cold.

We flew on MON329 to Sanford (Orlando) on Saturday, 25th August. We had booked the Premium Cabin upgrade just the previous week at a good discounted price, Flight Crew were good and food not bad. Don't bother with onboard films just download to your ipad and its a better option. Returned on the 8th September, MON328, unfortunately due to technical problems the planned A330 was not available and we had to return on a shorter range plane which had to refuel in Gander (Canada) This meant an hour on the ground, this was better than overnight in Orlando though waiting for the repaired plane to arrive. Ground staff were very apologetic as we couldn't have the Premium Cabin (not available on the plane sent). On the whole pretty okay, just bear in mind if you spend all your time looking for the cheapest flight to Florida don't expect First Class BA!

MAN - Larnaca - MAN. I was expecting a horror 5 hour flight to Cyprus but it didn't happen. I'm used to flying to USA so can put up with long trips but at 6'3" know comfort isn't ever going to be an option. The flight out was on time and as advertised. Leg room was okay and service was polite and professional. We took our own entertainment and drinks so no nasty surprises. Flight back was due to leave at midnight but got a text at 5pm to say it would be delayed but no further details. Arrived at airport to see it would be a three hour delay although the reason was only explained by captain when we got on the plane. Got back in to Manchester at 5am local time. For me flying is to be endured so I take all steps to reduce my reliance on the carrier. Maybe Monarch would get lower marks if the rest of the industry was better but they aren't so this trip was probably as good as it gets.

14th Sep 2012. Manchester-Mahon, flight ZB698. Received text at 5.30 am to say flight was running one hour late, arrived at airport and this was confirmed - now due to depart at 10am, next update said 11am, then 12 noon. No explanation just updates on info boards, then told next info would be at 1pm and issued with a £5 meal voucher. Next update was 2pm and still no explanation. Told that a representative from Monarch was on his way but he never arrived! At 3pm another £5 voucher was issued, told the plane had a mechanical fault but had been mended and on way from hanger had developed a fuel leak so was returned. Eventually called to boarding gate at 4pm where the scanner for passports was not working, then told to be seated for 20mins as they had not put food on plane! Eventually took off at 4.50pm over 7.5 hours late. The flight was good and the pilot and crew gave an explanation of the delay but the staff at Manchester and customer service desk were unhelpful and non arrival of the rep was unacceptable. We like many other's will not be flying with this airline again.

Monarch used to be a wonderful airline but have taken on more than they can cope with and consequently not having enough aircraft to accommodate the extra passengers. There are huge delays now, more than 4 hours when I flew to Alicante a couple of weeks ago and Monarch are substituting their lack of aircraft with other planes, I flew back from Alicante on a tired Lithuanian plane with a crew that hardly spoke English and only one Monarch representative on board. Other passengers on the flight and in the airports had complaints about the service and about the replacement aircraft which seem to be used regularly at the moment. I would be less likely to moan if it weren't for the fact that Monarch are by no means the cheapest airline flying to Europe but they have until recently provided a service which has been worth the extra cost, its not any more so I will be looking at alternatives next time.

We flew from Birmingham to Malaga on 7th September 2012 having booked with Monarch, however we were told we would be flying with a different airline. We ended up on an Aurela plane and I've got to say it was the worse plane I have ever been on in my life! The plane was really old, the seats were in very poor condition and the leg room was terrible. When the food tray was put down it was resting on my stomach and I'm only 5 ft 4ins and very slim! There was no air conditioning where we were sitting and we had to sit on the runway for some time to wait for some late arrivals. The crew did speak English and were quite pleasant but the pilot could not be understood. The whole flight was awful and certainly very relieved when we landed. However the landing was one of the worst too! I will not be booking with Monarch again as I would not feel safe flying on one of the Aurela planes again.

We flew with Monarch for the first time to Palma from Manchester on 12th Sep and returned 19th September, and found both journeys excellent. The outbound flight took off 5 minutes early and the return journey was spot on time. There were no queues at the baggage drops as we had checked in on-line beforehand. The cabin crew were friendly, smart and polite, and the pilot kept us informed where we flying over, how long to landing, and the weather conditions. The plane was clean and with more leg room than we have had on other Airlines.

We flew Gatwick - Rhodes - Gatwick on flights MON 7014 and MON 7015 respectively (5-19th Sep). The flights both left on time. Check in at Gatwick was excellent, but coming home from Rhodes was long queues. The food wasn't very nice and we had to wait 2 hours both ways for the "pleasure"! The staff were selling drinks and food to everyone who hadn't booked a meal first. The outward flight was much better with the pilot and first officer both giving us information about the flight. Coming back we had a very small amount of info - and when the electric's went off on board at Rhodes airport on the runway (as I'm a nervous flier) I was nearly panicking. It took a good 5-10 mins before we got an explanation. Overall, not a bad airline - but they should have better quality of food. Oh, and why don't airlines give you in-flight entertainment anymore - it would have been a much better flight and taken my mind off the fact that I was flying.

Flew Manchester-Tenerife South on 14/9 on one of their older A300 aircraft. Flights was delayed about an hour due to over-run maintenance, ground handling staff would rather have a natter with work colleagues than tell customers about it. Once on board, the cabin crew were friendly and attentive. Plane itself certainly looked tired, the seat covers were ripped, paying £24.99/seat for extra legroom was an absolute joke considering the one way fares were £270 each. But all in all the service was nice and recommendable. Read comments about 'inedible' breakfast. Ours were certainly edible and the accompanying snack box was nice. Not bad value for the meal I thought.

BHX-FUE-BHX in past 2 weeks. Both flights on time. Cabin service outbound was very good and very relaxing, a point I made to the Senior Stewardess when disembarking at Fuerteventura. Pre-ordered outbound meal was very good, even by airline standards, served straight after drinks trolley. No info from flight deck as I think it was a training flight (3rd person on flight deck). Return flight was good but cabin crew appeared to be disorganised, taking a long time to sell snacks and drinks because they only wanted to do once. Finally got meal 2 hours into flight, then they started selling gifts etc whilst we were still eating. Return pre-ordered meal average, asked by cabin crew if we had enjoyed it and he said he would record my adverse comments at the post-flight debrief. Different Monarch aircraft both ways were clean and tidy. Both landings very smooth.

Travelled on ZB7420 East Midland to Palma, 12/9/12. The flight was on time, yes we were not on a Monarch carrier but we were advised of this 2 days before we left. Flight back from Palma was on time too, all in all it was a good flight. The plane was old Air Italy, but we got to where we needed to be. We have flown with Monarch from Manchester before without any delays or problems.

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