Monarch Airlines

Booked a return flights to Funchal in December/January to co-ordinate with our 4 week hire dates of an apartment. We booked 6 months in advance and chose Monarch because they were the only airline that flew on a Friday. 3 months later we received an e-mail informing us of a change to the flight time of our return flight. This flight was not changed by hours but 3 days! Offered a refund or an alternative flight on the preceding or following Monday. As there were no other flights from Funchal to Birmingham on a Friday we had no option than to accept a different flight with Monarch that being the cheapest option. Outgoing flight was nearly an hour late with no explanation or apology. On asking the cabin crew I was told "we're not late are we?" Leg room was good but service poor. Return flight actually left early and landed early. Leg room good again but service poor. We booked a meal which was average. Tea and coffee were served before you had a chance to even open the cutlery package. We asked for ours to be served later but they retired for their rest time and never returned. They did however oblige when we asked after they eventually returned to sell drinks. Information from the pilot on both flights was poor and could hardly be heard above the noise of the aircraft which seemed particularly bad.

I returned from Barbados after a Saga cruise using Monarch Charter flight back to Gatwick. This was the worst flight I have experienced. Only one check in for 400 people at Barbados plane left one hour late and all boarded at once up one set of steps. Evening meal serves at 10.30pm and no second cups of tea or coffee available. Very cramped seating and aisles so narrow you had to walk sideways. Sudden diversion for emergency landing at Santiago Spain to get medical assistance for sick passenger. 'Breakfast' served after resumed flight i.e. orange juice sticky bun and one Nutrigrain bar with no tea or coffee due to 'no hot water on board'. Unbelievable! I have had excellent short haul flights with Monarch but will never fly on a charter by them again!

LGW to ACE 29th Dec returned 12th Jan. Generally good service in extra legroom seats. The meals are now excellent and good value. Monarch will have to do something about all the carry on suitcases. I would suggest that they travel for £10 in the hold or £15 in the cabin. If the economy passengers do not like the legroom provided then they should buy extra legroom seats and if the demand increases then no doubt Monarch will increase the number. The bag drop works well at Gatwick and even worked at Lanzarote this time Overall a good service at this busy time of year.

My husband and I flew to Tenerife. We have noticed over the years that the legroom has got less and less but decided to give it another go. What a mistake! The legroom even for me (5 ft 2) was completely unworkable and for my husband at 5 ft 11 was ridiculous. The person in front reclined their seat and my husband had to ask them to put it back up as it meant the dinner tray actually dug into his stomach. I couldn't move my legs during the flight to exercise them. On the return journey we paid over £50 for extra legroom seats which was money well spent although we shouldn't have had to pay this legroom should be of a reasonable amount in every seat. We will never fly Monarch again even for short haul unless it is an absolute emergency.

MCR to Sharm El Sheik on 19 Jan returning 26. Very cramped with poor legroom although not as bad as I had feared. Staff kept busy selling the usual assortment of rubbish at inflated prices. Took sandwich on board which was a good idea. Return flight delayed for half an hour due to snow in MCR but no real complaints. Overall it was bearable though five and a half hours in a sardine can tests the endurance!

We had return flights to Kittila Finland. On the outward journey we one broken toilet from the outset causing queues all down the aisle of the plane. They have the smallest seating and legroom of any airline that we have travelled with. On the returning flight we sadly managed to leave a Kindle on the aircraft. After phoning the airline we duly informed that this was not a problem for the airline but an airport issue. 1 week later and nothing has been handed in.

Took a flight from Sharm to London last April. Arrived at airport to find the aircraft delayed by 24 hours. Utter confusion and moved to substandard accommodation (our family of five given a double room designed for two people!). Monarch continue to stall on compensation for the severe delays. Would never use them again.

Birmingham to Minorca for 2 weeks from Sep 26 to Oct 10 2012. When we got onboard we found it quite claustrophobic possibly due to the very high seat backs and the very tight legroom. Outward flight was uneventful pilots gave good information to the passengers. On the return flight we found that Mahon Airport was chaotic and my wife and I were not given seats together notwithstanding the fact that there was an empty seat next to my wife. When a request was made to one of the cabin crew my request to change seats was denied although later in the flight someone else moved to that seat. The member of cabin staff asked if I had had a pleasant flight and apologised when I told her why I had not. We will certainly choose our holidays in future taking care that the carrier is not Monarch.

Flight Faro to Manchester. Paid for text updates and reserved seats with on-line check in. Arrived at airport with family to discover a 5hr + delay (no text received). Airline offered no refreshments. Substitute plane arrived – no reserved seats and no refreshments on board not even water. Staff handed out earphones for in- flight film that could not plug in to jack. If your holidays are precious family time then do not trust Monarch with your flight.

Gatwick to Friedrichshafen January 5 2013 flight ZB7288. Plane was an Airbus A321 leg room was ok cabin clean and tidy and crew friendly. Pushed back 7 minutes late due to paperwork but landed 5 minutes early! Refreshments were good and price ok. Return flight January 12 2013 flight ZB7289. Plane was an Airbus A320. Cabin looked a bit dated but clean and tidy. Leg room was ok pushed back 5 minutes late reason unknown. Landed early. Refreshments were good and price ok like outbound flight. Would fly Monarch again.