Monarch Airlines Passenger Reviews and Monarch Airlines Customer Trip Reports

Daytime flight to Dalaman. Firstly, we were emailed that the 08.10 outbound flight was being moved to 06.10 and the only option offered was to accept this change. I challenged this and was eventually given options because the flight time had changed by over 2 hours. None of the options were acceptable and I eventually negotiated reserved seating and outbound meals f.o.c. Secondly, we were then emailed that the flight had been moved back to the original time meaning that we had to reschedule hire car pick up times and our friends had to re-book their airport parking. Thirdly, the seating on the plane was ridiculously cramped. The A300 was not designed for a 3x3x3 seating configuration. This was only made bearable by raising both armrests and putting my 5 year old son in the middle seat. Finally, they ran out of food half way down the plane apart from the kids snack packs, which when opened had items missing.

A few weeks ago, I flew Manchester - Ibiza - Manchester. Flights were running slightly early both ways, crew were friendly and attentive, and delivered a good level of service, despite some rather challenging passengers - which is the usual case for a lively night Ibiza flight! Also for an airline that is offering a 'buy- on-board' I thought the prices were quite acceptable compared to other carriers. Departure times could be more desirable, however this was compensated by very reasonable fares (especially considering the time of year). Would have no hesitation in flying with them again.

We had a return flight from Dalaman airport Turkey (ZB909) with a departure time 9.20pm, the flight was cancelled due to a burst tyre etc. We were within two hours of our flight time transferred to a five star hotel with food on arrival, we were then collected the next morning to arrive back at the airport for 9.30am and departed at 12.00pm to which everyone had an in flight meal. They arranged hotels, transfers and food etc at such short notice was a credit to the staff concerned.

Use Monarch often, never had a problem at all, always pre book extra leg room seats along with a meal and find the service excellent. Had the odd delays here and there but what people need to understand is that any airline can suffer delays from time to time. My last flight to Fuerteventura from Manchester left on time both ways and the cabin crew onboard as usual provided excellent service. No in flight is offered however I take my own I-Pad anyway so don't find this a problem at all.

We flew out to Paphos in Cyprus with my disabled father with Thomson on 9th September and the return flight on 16th September was Monarch. We were giving no information why this happened, the cabin crew were more interested in reading magazines than seeing to the passengers on boarding the aircraft. As for my father who has a prosthetic leg he was told that he could not sit in the aisle seat as it was required for an able bodied person in case of an emergency. On disembarking the aircraft we had requested airport assistance for my father but we were told just to make our way to the doors of the aircraft where we would be met by porters with wheelchairs along with everyone else leaving the aircraft, not an easy proposition for a 80 year old disabled person. The cabin crew were less than helpful, not like Thomson who were excellent. Would not voluntarily use Monarch again but had no choice in this case.

I flew with Monarch from Malaga to Manchester on Sep 1st. Having booked the flight in January, the return flight was altered from around noon to a 9.30 pm departure. The flight actually didn't leave until 11.30 pm, with no valid explanation from Monarch, other than "it was late getting into Gatwick and there was a knock- on effect". It was the only significantly delayed flight at Malaga airport that evening. As I'd paid a premium for convenient day-time flights for my family, arriving in Manchester in the early hours of the morning and having to await a coach to reach Arrivals was really inconvenient.

I arrived at Malpensa airport Italy at 6.30pm to check in for an 8.20pm departure on ZB1399 to Manchester. Several large queues at four check-in desks. I was shocked when a fellow passenger informed me that the flight was cancelled. There was no representative informing passengers, and it was not until I eventually reached the check-in counter that I saw a Customer letter on the counter apologizing for the disruption to the flight and that all passengers would be flown to London Gatwick on ZB7207 which would depart at 20.40, two hours later than that scheduled flight was due to depart. Many angry passengers booked to fly to Manchester were going to be transferred to a coach at Gatwick for a four hour journey. When the departure gate was opened - it was a very long trek at the airport to reach it and there was already a large queue there that eventually reached not only the length of the departure hall but also rounded the corner. Everyone was standing for over an hour as all booked seats on the flights were cancelled and it was to be a free for all upon entering the plane. 15 minutes before boarding began someone handed out vouchers for a complimentary one purchase from My Chef. Most people had already spent money there during the long delayed wait. On board, a brief apology for the delay. At Gatwick, they gave information to a small group of passengers whilst the majority had no idea what they were saying. No one was counted, there were no checks. After a lot of messing around we boarded a coach that proceeded to drive four hours direct to Manchester. We arrived at just after 4am in the morning and were deposited outside the airport rail terminal. I certainly will not book a flight with them in the future.

Having travelled with Monarch in the past we didn't expect to be treated the way we were. We Departed from Birmingham on Wed 12th September 2012. Everything was as expected on that flight but while I was away Monarch rang my home number (lucky that my partner was there to give me the message), to advise us to look for an e-mail saying that Monarch would be using a different carrier for our return on the 17th Sep. When we arrived at the airport and eventually got on the plane we couldn't believe the state of it, there was hardly any legroom, no air vents and you could hardly understand the captain and crew The airline was called Aurela airlines, I have never been on a plane in that state before. When you choose to book with a company like Monarch you expect a good standard but after being treated like this myself and my friends have been put off from flying with them again.

Just travelled East Midlands to Alicante and return 8th/15th Sep. At last minute we were transferred to Small Planet airlines, trip was on time both ways, but was surprised to find seat backs missing, yes missing in row 4, I had read poor comments re this airline, now I've seen it.

Flight ZB1399 from, Malpensa to Manchester was cancelled. No information given from staff at check in until you got to the desk (very long queue), letter left on the desk to say that we would be put on a (delayed) ZB7202 flight to Gatwick and then bussed up to Manchester (another 4 hour journey). Cabin staff and air crew gave out no useful information during flight. On arrival at Gatwick, Monarch duty manager mumbled through some instructions and thereafter she kept as far away from the passenger group as she could. This woman was completely ineffective. She gave no support and did not even explain where the bus would drop off the passengers in Manchester. She gave no information as to why the original flight was cancelled and did not give a satisfactory apology on behalf of the airline. Manchester passengers arrived at Manchester airport at 4.10am the following morning instead of 9.35pm the previous day. Over 6 hours later. Fellow passengers related that this kind of behaviour was common on Monarch flights. I will know never to use them again.

EMA to FAO - Air Italy, plane must have been at least 30 years old with broken seats, lights held up with tape and a crew that spoke little English. I have since been informed that Monarch will be using alternative carriers for some time so one route to be avoided until they sort themselves out. Their website shows no info on these flights and all you get is an email the day before to tell you that the route will be operated by a different carrier. Not good enough!

As the previous review we also had a plane change, and what a relic of a plane it was! The company was "Small Planet", never heard of them and would not fly again with them if it was free. Very old plane, no leg room, backs missing off some seats. Ryanair will still be getting my custom from East Midlands!

We returned from Malaga 7th September 2012 flight no ZB979. We have travelled many years with Monarch encountering very few problems however this flight more than made up for it! The flight was not a Monarch aircraft in fact it was a very old foreign aircraft. The leg room was so restrictive, my husband had to sit with his legs in the aisle. There was not enough room to get to the window seat without putting the arm rests up between the seats. The major problem was no air conditioning, we were grounded on the plane for best part of half an hour with no cool air. Babies were stripped to their nappies and were very unhappy. We were told we were missing passengers this then changed to missing paper work. Staff spoke very little English and kept well out of everyone's way. In my opinion it was not safe environment to be in and have never been so glad to get off a flight the whole experience was dreadful. Monarch if you want too keep your loyal customers I suggest they need to do some serious rethinking!