Monarch Airlines

Flew to Faro from Gatwick on first day of school half-term. Had booked extra leg-room seats but the type of plane was changed at the last minute and these were not available. Had pre-booked 6 seats together but we were arbitrarily split up on the new plane. On arrival at the gate the staff decided that no hand luggage with wheels (previously accepted at check-in without comment) could be put on the aircraft and chaos reigned as passengers tried to take out what they needed on the plane and find somewhere else to put it and then queue up again to check them in. We got on the plane at 6am for a scheduled 6.10am departure and then sat on the tarmac until the plane finally took off at 8.25am. Plane was full of children and babies so the delay was not appreciated. No reason given for this delay. The usual platitude announcements were made but even direct questions put to the chief steward showed that he had no idea of the reason for the delay or when we would depart. From ground crew on the plane it would appear to have been due to the incredibly long time it took the engineer to complete his paperwork. None of this should have been necessary but it appears that the change of plane completely blindsided the Monarch Airlines staff who did not foresee and pre-empt the problems that arose as a result.

London Gatwick (LGW) - Freidrichshafen (FDH) - LGW. Inaugural flight to Friedrichshafen for the Winter Season was reasonably priced. Arrive at Gatwick at 4am we were greeted by several Monarch Employees who welcomed us to the check-in desk and gave us our boarding cards itineraries and Monarch goodie bags. Boarding was fairly quick and the crew showed us our seats. Aircraft was 757 which was starting to show its age surprised how comfortable and quiet the flight was only downside was leg room was fairly cramped and tight. Half way though the flight the crew began cabin services with good reasonably priced food and beverages. Flight crew very informative. Upon arrival at Freidrichshafen greeted by Airport managers. Return flight back to Gatwick that same evening was just as good with both crews being excellent in all areas.

Flew to Madeira in March from my local airport of Birmingham. I cannot fault Birmingham airport check-in smooth security tight and thorough and always sociable and quirky staff. Will always use Birmingham as a getaway.

Thank goodness we paid for 2 extra legroom seats at££24.99 each Larnaca to Gatwick 4hrs 45mins duration. Plane an old A300 seemed to have extra seats fitted we slid into the narrow 15-16 inches gap between the immovable armrests the seat back was too low to provide any head restraint. We were in row 2 a 3 seater by the window luckily 3rd seat remained vacant. Unable to spread feet more than hip width sitting in aisle seat I was knocked about by anyone and trolleys using the narrow aisle as well as having my feet trodden on. Thinking of the economy normal seats I strolled to the back of the plane and horrified to see not only narrow seats but no leg room either with peoples knees against the seats in front of them the seats to narrow tight to allow to swivel legs into the aisle therefore trapped in a cocoon for 4 3/4 hours. Flying out we had an A330 this had superb seating we had paid for extra legroom but it wasn't necessary as all the seating was of a high standard wonder why they changed the return flight to an A300. I am booked to fly Monarch again to Larnaca next month I wonder what adventure Monarch will provide us with next time.

We paid for extra leg room seats on our last 2 holiday flights with Monarch and never received them. Thomson took over our last flight from Monarch last week and they were selling extra leg room seats at the check-in desk but those of us who had paid for the seats months in advance couldn't have them. 2 weeks before our holiday we received numerous emails from Monarch changing our seating plan and splitting my husband and myself up even though we had paid yet again to be sat together. The funniest is that the seats next to both of us where they had split us up WERE empty. I will never fly with Monarch again and I fly about 6 times a year and mostly to Cyprus.

Leeds/Bradford to Palma 4th May returning 11th May. On flight out to Palma I was unwell and could not have received better attention from the cabin crew. Extra legroom paid for on journey out - loads of room. Not offered for return journey but even so there was sufficient legroom. Both trips were on A320 and plane was clean and looked almost new. Both flights left and arrived on time. I would definitely fly with Monarch again.

MAN-Malaga 5th May return 10th May. Flew out on a wet leased 747 from Spanish airline as Monarchs own plane was in for maintenance. Quite a novel experience for a 2 half hour flight! Crew all spoke very good English and plane seemed fairly new compared some other Monarch planes. Got free hot drinks biscuits and bottle of water. Return journey was on Monarch 321 which was quite good leg space and plenty of drinks snacks and duty free runs from a pleasant crew with captain giving information out. Both flights were on time and staff at both airports were very accommodating. Would definitely fly with them again.

This was the worst flight I have ever had to endure. I was aboard a very old Monarch Airbus A300. The seat pitch is given as 28-29" the width 17.5". I had the heaviest guy on the plane sitting in front of me thus reducing the pitch even further. I could only sit diagonally and only then as my wife was next to me. After a 4 hour flight from Tenerife South to GTW was I glad to get off that plane! I originally booked a seat with plenty of leg room but the plane was changed. The flight time was also postponed meaning we had to overnight in a hotel as we were too late to catch the last train. Do not fly with them.

We travelled to Birmingham to Malaga return on an A321. The check in was easy and flight left on time for both trips plane was clean and seats and legroom no less comfortable than on any other short flight I have taken. The flight attendants were pleasant and helpful and although we had not ordered food it looked appetising when others were eating it.

Baggage= Just to confirm what Monarch's Website can't seem to say properly and is a bug bare to complaints with customer services. When you purchase hold baggage it entitles you to 20 kg case in hold. This then shows up on the itinerary over the top of your 10 kg cabin baggage. It then becomes confusing and cost me £2.00 in a call to ask for clarification 3rd May 2013. Email question/answering were running 3 days behind. Not good. So even though it does not say I am entitled to take with me 30 kg overall. 20 kg=hold 10 kg=cabin