Monarch Airline opinions?

[ptrbryant]

Hello!

I just read in my Passporter email that Monarch Airlines is beginning weekly flights between Kent and Norfolk, Virginia. When DH and I have been to the UK in the past (i.e. before DS was born!) we thought Kent was a lovely area and has such remarkable historic sights. I've never heard of Monarch Airlines before, though, and wondered if anyone here has traveled with them?

Thanks!

Karla B. (now living deep in the heart of Bluegrass--- Kentucky!)

 

[gilld]

Monarch are really awful and I would avoid them at all costs.

Unfortunately we are stuck with them flying to Barbados to join a cruise ship in March and even though we have seats in the Premium cabin, we are both dreading the flight out - thank goodness we cruise home so at least it will only be one way and not overnight.

 

[ptrbryant]

Drat, not what I wanted to hear. Could you give me some details on why you'd avoid them?

Karla B.

 

[Graeme]

I've flown quite a few times with Monarch, mainly because they tend to be a lot cheaper for brits going to Florida and they fly from smaller airports so don't usually involve a lot of travelling.

The planes are older and basic. The legroom is among the poorest and they don't have seat back TVs, just the ones that come down from the ceiling. They get you from A to B and not much else. As Gill says, they do have a premiunm cabin which obviously costs extra or you can pay a little bit more for exit seats with extra legroom. I think we paid about $50 each way last time.

Kent airfield is an old military airbase, (RAF Manston), which hosted the US airforce for a period in the 50's. It's been civilianised since about 1960.

 

[mumloveseeyore]

have travelled with monarch as they fly from local airport (Newcastle ) to Sanford, would recommend premium cabin. DH points out that direct transport links from Manston Kent may be poor or non existant e.g. no direct trains into London etc. Gill he does recommend Kent as being worth visiting though. Gill.

 

[gilld]

I've flown quite a few times with Monarch, mainly because they tend to be a lot cheaper for brits going to Florida and they fly from smaller airports so don't usually involve a lot of travelling.

The planes are older and basic. The legroom is among the poorest and they don't have seat back TVs, just the ones that come down from the ceiling. They get you from A to B and not much else. As Gill says, they do have a premiunm cabin which obviously costs extra or you can pay a little bit more for exit seats with extra legroom. I think we paid about $50 each way last time.

Kent airfield is an old military airbase, (RAF Manston), which hosted the US airforce for a period in the 50's. It's been civilianised since about 1960.

I agree with everything Graeme says and they also have a very poor record with delays, due to technical and safety reasons. I would never travel with them again after this unavoidable flight we have in March.

 

[ptrbryant]

Thanks for the input! Sounds like I'd feel better sticking with the major airlines, esp. since I tend to be a nervous flyer!

Karla B.

 

[MrsJobba1]

We used monarch in 2005.

We had an 11 hr delay going to WDW and a 4 hour delay coming back.

There customer service was awful and we were not informed very well.

We said we would never use them again.