Monarch Airlines

Flew LGW-SSH return in November - A300 both ways and both flights on time. Paid for extra legroom which on that aircraft means the front cabin and well worth it. Return leg the aircraft was configured for premium with only 8 abreast and not 9 so wider seats.

ZB216 departure 15.40 from Gatwick to Faro on November 4th. Initially told delayed to 16.10. When we arrived at Gate 38 we were told that the crew both flight and cabin were delayed as some were out of hours and that we were going via Manchester apparently the aircraft was not flying due to some problem with the undercarriage. Finally arrived in Faro 2 hours and 45 minutes late. Have Monarch bitten off more than they can chew with all the extra routes they are starting to serve? During 2012 we have noticed an increase in the number of delays in our flights to and from Faro and our next flight will be our 16th this year.

Lanzarote to Manchester on 6th November. ZB627. No gate until we were nearly due to take off no delayed sign. Then gate was changed twice then changed over of cabin crew finely boarded plane then told to disembark. Plane needed to fly to London. We were told to return to the terminal. Approx two hour delay with very limited information. Finely arrived in Manchester no ground staff therefore could not open the doors then no bag handlers so another delay. I felt sorry for my young Grandchildren. It was an awful experience.

November 8th flew London Luton to Tenerife. Plane 2 hours 20 minutes late leaving on our return flight we were on time. Apart from this no other problems staff were all polite and friendly.

Delayed 10.5 hours on 1st November 07.00 flight from Gatwick to Lanzarote. Ground staff gave what looked like a standard letter with standard excuse for 'operational' delay. Given two £5 refreshment vouchers (two passengers travelling) and provided a 'brunch'. Apologies were scant and neither ground crew or air crew acknowledged extent of delay and severe inconvenience caused. Posting on this site may alert others to the atrocious service offered by Monarch.

Flight back from Dalaman to Gatwick after a 2 hour delay on 5th November after supplying food to passengers either end of the plane we where told there was no food left for us and the remaining centre seats. Tempers flew and a man was given some fruit for his children. A while after going to the toilet at the rear of the plane I looked behind the curtain to find the cabin staff all eating. This is the 2nd time this year this has happened.

Flight out of Gatwick 2nd Nov 2012 for Tenerife (S) due to leave 09.50. Baggage check in - clearly no hurry Monarch letter handed to us advised flight delayed due to technical problems ETD 14.15. Given £5 each food vouchers. Updates on screens deceiving. On asking for more info at desk advised further delay until 17.00 given more food vouchers £10 each. Finally boarded/departed 17.30-17.45. A very long and exhausting day. Could have booked 17.00 flight on the Saturday and not wasted all day wandering around Gatwick airport thought we were just unlucky (these things happen) we now learn it seems Monarch make habit of keeping people waiting. Return flight from Tenerife - same scenario just different times with slightly shorter delay. (Dep due 14.10 eventually left 19.10 - 12 euros each food vouchers). Rumours circulating at both airports that Monarch have insufficient and unreliable fleet many being put out of service with major faults. Will not use Monarch again as they clearly have no problem taking customers money but repeatedly fail to provide service.

LGW-ACE. I think Monarch has gone downhill considerably in recent years. They seem eager to join the so called low cost airlines whereas in recent years they have been the best UK charter airline. The aircraft a A321 seemed scruffy and untidy and Airbus seats seem particularly uncomfortable. Cabin crew nice enough but seem unsure of their job. Giggling whilst making announcements unsure of prices etc. Did not have a meal because cost seems too expensive hardly any room to eat it anyway.

Flew from Manchester to Preveza and return one week later (actually one week and a day due to long delay). Delayed by 5 hours outbound due to "technical problem" delayed 11 hours 55 minutes return journey due to various reasons but again "technical problem" amongst the excuses. In flight meals OK seat comfort poor cabin crew on return journey unfriendly and snooty. Information about delays non-existent meal vouchers available but provision of food frankly appalling. In short if travelling with Monarch do not expect too much be very patient and think twice.

ZB 655 out of Malaga 4th Nov 2012. Departure was to be 12.10. Although I had paid for mobile phone update I was not aware of the delays until reaching the airport and checking in. Originally told departure was estimated as 15.45 advised to check in and were given vouchers for 6 euros. After passing through security the estimated departure was changed to 17.00. Received a text message at approx 11.30 telling us departure was 12.10 on time and hope we enjoyed our holiday! At no time were we contacted by any Monarch representative to explain the problem. Given further vouchers for 12 euros for refreshments. The plane left at 20.45 8.5 hours late. Apart from a half hearted apology from the Captain we were offered nothing in the way of apology.