Flight Concerns and questions....rather long, sorry.

[disneydolphin]

Hi,
I booked our flights to Orlando,Sanford last night online. It stated it was Thomas Cook flights on the cheapestflights website.
This morning I receive a phone call to tell me that a fuel surcharge is to be added. I say this wasnt on the website so she reduces it from £25 pp to £5 to cover all of us. Strange I thought but probably to get back the £5 I was due to have knocked off through signing up as a member of the website. Cynical, moi?
Anyway I then asked if the flight numbers were available, which they were. Unfortunately it is a Monarch flight. Can they just change the airline like that?

I asked about the possibility of upgrading and she looked into it and said we could upgrade with what is currently a special offer, works out at £94 each to upgrade. This will mean 5" more leg room, 2.5" more width, seat back TV's, meal upgrade, designated check in (?) and a configeration of 2,4,2.

Do the economy seats really have no seat back TVs? I thought I recalled all of them being like that last time I flew with Monarch. The seating plan is not available online-typical.

Now I know you lot are all experts at this, so I thought I'd ask whether this is, indeed a good deal. How likely is it, that once we've paid for an upgrade, we get to the airport to find ourselves in the horrible 29" seat pitch seats? (We flew with MyTravel 2 yrs ago and my DH is 6_2"-so it was awful)

Also I havent asked yet whether we are seated together as Ive read somewhere on here that if youre a family, you are seated together anyway. Is this true? I would hate for my 12 yr old daughter to be seated alone, although I realise the airline might not see her as priority as she is not a toddler/needing care. My 15 yr old son would be ok, but it would be better to seated together. If you upgrade, is part of that cost ensuring you sit together?

My husband doesnt really want to upgrade due to cost, although I reckon he is going to be really uncomfortable. It was a struggle for me and Im only 5_6"!

So, after yet another essay, any tips?

Oh yeah, quote for full size 4 door, tank of petrol, all taxes and insurance, £169 per week. That sounds pretty good to me, any views?

Oooh, Im all confused now. Wish I could just teleport myself there..is it obvious I dont like to fly.

I need to phone back this afternoon to verify upgrade and maybe talk my DH into it.

 

[carolfoy]

I'll try and answer as best I can,
here we go...
Yes, they are within their rights to change a carrier even at short notice, a pain unfortunately but true,
Some Monarch planes still do not have seat back tv in economy but you should be able to check this with the airline, If you pay for an upgrade you are guaranteeing an upgrade but always remember that they can still change the aircraft at the last minute and another aircraft may not have premium style seating, you would be due a refund if that happened,
Prebook your seats together they are NOT guaranteed together even if you are a family, prebooking is the only way to guarantee this, again they may change the aircraft at the last minute etc etc but they will endevour to still seat you together, usually upgraded seats are guaranteed together as they have a seperate seating plan for these and there are less seats in this class.
My advice, speak to monarch seperately and try and find out if they'll have the seat back tv's, if not invest in gameboys! or pay for an upgrade. this is the beginning and the end of your hols together and being comfortable makes a nicer start/finish.
p.s. the cost you've got for the car hire sounds ok

 

[MazdaUK]

I'd pay for the upgrade! We wished we'd done it - not so bad on the way out as we all stayed awake (even younger DS (5) - despite being up at 6.00am) watching movies. On the way back it was a different story, as people are more likely to recline seats and they don't actually recline far enough to get comfy - just enough to annoy anyone behind you. Its also depressing enough coming home without being squashed!

 

[disneydolphin]

Thanks both of you

Im thinking about it seriously now, especially for the return journey. I hadnt considered us wanting to sleep but now i recall the lack of space etc last time.

Car hire i think i will not get from them. Ive found it cheaper elsewhere so thats one thing decided.

One things for sure, had it listed the flight as Monarch i wouldnt have bothered with it.

As Disneys Winnie the Pooh would say "Oh bother!"