Monarch Airlines

Manchester - Hurghada MON4328 4/1/13 and MON4329 11/1/13. No airline should be using the A321 for flights longer than 2 hours. It was extremely cramped for a 6 hour flight. The least they could do would be to prevent seats from reclining as space then became impossible. On the way out a seat back broke! Fortunately there was a spare seat don't know what they would have done without that option! Return flight we allegedly ran out of fuel due to strong headwinds! Oddly enough we diverted to Luton and the crew also changed. I have noted on this and other forums this appears to be a regular occurrence with Monarch. The decision should have been made earlier say over Europe and we divert to nearest airport but decision was made over North sea [from what I can gather] so if you cant make Manchester but can make Luton from there then there was clearly no need. We landed at Luton at the same scheduled time we should have landed at Manchester! Finally I was never told if a meal was to be provided they come out and sell you food and drink first without telling you food and drink is also provided then about half an hour later they come round with a hot meal and drinks! Overall a bad bad experience and I will avoid them at all costs!

Monarch is a budget airline: don't expect the world. I think the legroom was tight but for a 2-hour flight to Venice it was bearable. On the plus side we departed on time there and back; boarding was very efficient. I'd use them again for shorter European flights.

From EMA to TFS. Checking was quick efficient and friendly. We flew having paid £25 each for extra leg room and for a 4.5 hour flight this was money well spent. Flight attendants were friendly and helpful both on the outward and return legs. The flights left on time and the aircraft were comfortable. The biggest downside to Monarch Airlines is there is no in-flight entertainment and that makes a long flight quite boring. Also there is not much choice of food and it has to be paid for. Otherwise I cannot fault Monarch.

London Gatwick to Funchal Madeira. Check in at Gatwick very fast and staff at each desk courteous and efficient. Aircraft on outbound flight (28/12/12) was an Airbus320 which was very clean bright and the seats were in lovely condition and quite comfortable. No delays on this flight and the cabin crew were professional and courteous. Captain made announcements with regard to the route as and when necessary. The inbound flight to Gatwick (4/1/13) again was an Airbus 320 very clean and bright but it seemed a little older than the aircraft we travelled on for our outbound flight. Cabin crew were equally as courteous and efficient as well as mature as the crew on our outbound flight. Captain made route announcements as and when necessary and there was no turbulence at all. Did not purchase an inflight meal but there were plenty of hot snacks drinks available. We have used Monarch Airlines in the past and have always found the staff to be professional and courteous.

London Luton to Munich. Firstly Decided not to check-in online prior to the flight as they claim it to be free however when using this option you have to pay an additional charge for a seat. When arriving at the airport I lined up in a huge queue in order to check-in there was only 1 check-in desk open. It took about an hour until I finally was checked-in. I do not recommend this airline as the customer service is rather poor the seat space is tiny and the aircraft didn't seem to be well-maintained because an air vent fell off the ceiling when landing. Compared to other cheap airlines Monarch is by far the worst.

20/12/2012. Manchester-Lanzarote. Due to depart 07.35. Flight crew arrived at 07.10 so no way this flight was going to leave on time. Boarding commenced at 07.30 followed by an announcement telling people to sit down as they had a slot time to meet. Departed 08.05. Airbus 321. Without doubt the worst aircraft I have flown on. The legroom was terrible made worse by the kind person in the seat in front reclining his seat. The safety card shows the emergency brace position. I doubt that a child could adapt the position let alone an adult. So much for inflight safety. The only way to eat the inflight meal was to cut up the food then lift the container up with one hand and use the fork with the other. Returned 27/12/2012 Exactly the same A321 no legroom. Empty seats which the cabin crew refused to let people use. All in all the worst airline and aircraft I have ever flown with.

8th Dec Barcelona to London Gatwick. Flight on-time cabin quite empty for a 757. Friendly staff. Seat comfortable food for purchase. No complaints for a short regional route.

First time flying Monarch and will not be using them again! The legroom and space between seats is appalling very uncomfortable for a 10 hour flight. They ran out of meals and had to give us the vegetarian option. The televisions were in a position that we could not view them. On flight home it took hours before the food was given out as they took so long with the drinks trolley. One of the toilets blocked and they just locked the door and did nothing about it needless to say there was a constant queue for the toilet that worked and the smell coming from it by the end of the flight was horrific! Would not recommend.

Luton to Alicante return. Why are passengers advised that a flight at Luton is 'ready for boarding' and then made to wait at the gate standing in line for 30 minutes? It is ridiculous and unnecessary. This happens with Easyjet as well as Monarch in my experience. Flight out only two-thirds full and a good service. Return was full and the usual mayhem for those boarding later who had nowhere to put hand luggage - it eventually being taken off to go in the hold ("the hat bins are now full" as the flight attendant quaintly put it). Terrible mess all round and brought about solely as a result of the airline charging for hold baggage (and cramming in as many seats as possible).

Took Monarch flight from Gatwick to Goa and return in Premium Class. Not a bad experience. Flight on time plane reasonable flight good flight attendants variable much better on return flight (09/12/12) than on the outward (24/11/12) when they appeared harried and slightly bad tempered. No wine with the meal was offered and when requested they seemed to think we had a drink problem! Obviously because we had paid extra for premium we expected to have wine with meal. All in all though for the money paid not too bad. Would use them again.