Monarch Airlines

Hadn't used Monarch before and - not likely to again. The food trolley (if not pre-ordered) was very disorganised with lots of calling backwards and forwards and very little food left after just a few rows of seats. On return (late at night) parked up somewhere in the middle of the tarmac at the back of Gatwick Airport and had to walk up some 'back stairs' (easy to get lost) with at least 1/4 mile walk within airport. No explanation! The leg room is poor and the toilet areas very crowded (and unpleasant by end of journey) - sorry Monarch not a good experience.

After getting up at 04.30 am for flight from Manchester to Malaga got to the Airport at 05.30 for 07.25 flight told change of plane. Told if we wished to travel today would have to get a coach to Gatwick for a later flight. Arrived Malaga 9 hrs Late. Had to incur extra costs.

Travelled BHX - Sharm el Sheikh 20/11/12 returned 29/11/12. Both flights departed and landed on time clean Airbus A320 professional crew. Overall good flights.

Both outbound and return flights from Alicante were late mostly due to boarding procedures and the fact the cabin was jam packed full of "hand luggage" of gigantic size. The cabin crew observed the chaos but did nothing to assist and were so disinterested not even so much as a hello was offered when boarding. Plane had seen better days and was grubby. I did pay to check in luggage and on arrival at Gatwick waited 2 hours for it to turn up. Monarch didn't care and neither did Swissport its baggage handler there was a near riot but no one offered any sensible explanation to passengers waiting let alone offer an apology. I complained in writing to both parties and got no response. Looking at other comments about Monarch I should not be surprised they have turned into a shoddy outfit charging high prices for no service and late departures. Never again BA are operating to Alicante from London now so I will spend my money flying a proper outfit.

The letter stated 11am to check in but when we arrived checking in had started at 10 am - therefore my husband and I were not able to sit together. The lady at the customer service desk did not help and just replied that we should have booked our seats in 25 years we had never done this with other companies and the point is that the letter was therefore wrong. On the return journey the plane still had rubbish in it from the previous journey - I will not be using Monarch Airlines again.

Just flown with Monarch outbound from Manchester to Faro on 17th November inbound on 24th. Both flights on time smooth flights even though the weather over the UK was atrocious. Great check-in boarding and onboard service leg room was a bit tight but overall good service.

Just returned from Hurghada on flight MON 4329 23rd November to Manchester. Flight left on time cabin crew did the meal run then followed that with the duty free. They must have worked about 3 hours in total then sat down for the rest of the flight. To make matters worse the captain then informs us about 4.5 hours into the flight that we will have to divert to Ostende in Belgium because we don't have enough fuel (strong head winds). The crew did not even offer a drink of water or liquids to anyone on board. 21st century high tech aircraft yet we cant carry enough fuel for 6 hour flight. Inflight entertainment again non existent so much for brochure publicity.

Manchester to Barcelona 23/11/12. Without doubt the most uncomfortable seats I have ever encountered. The legroom was appalling. Have used Monarch before but they seem to have sacrificed economy legroom to get a few quid off the few prepared to pay for tolerable legroom. Never again.

We travelled with Monarch to Lanzarote and back this week. We got on the plane yesterday afternoon on time but to be told we would be going to Faro for a refuel due to strong headwinds they had encountered on the previous flight. This added an 1.5 hrs onto our flight no real apology from them. Told to take our seat belts off during refuelling why didn't they refuel at Lanzarote? Not enough selected baguettes to go round etc. The crew were tired I overheard one stewardess state she was so tired she couldn't think anymore. When we landed in pouring rain we trailed down the steps and onto the Tarmac and walked to the terminal building. Great welcome home. Never again!

EMA to ACE return. Delayed outbound following bird strike and to be fair delayed less than expected but no communication other than 'further info at 16.00'. Replacement A320 needed retiring as interior was past its 'sell by date'. No problem with return A320 clearly a newer model with greater legroom could actually put knees together whist seated.