Monarch Airlines

SplashMtn · Sep 5, 2004

Hi there- I have been reading the disboards for a long time but havent actually posted here before!- being all the way down the page and all- takes so much effort to scroll down here!

Anyway, im going back to orlando and disney world next year in july to stay in POP and have found out that Thomas Cook airlines do not fly from newcastle anymore- going instead with Monarch. Has anyone had previous experience with Monarch as I hope theyre as good as Thomas Cook last year when my family and I had our first "personal seat-back television" experience on a plane! :crazy:

Thanks for any input!

SplashMtn · Sep 5, 2004

Oops- actually this should have probably been in the trip planning forum- sorry if it should hav been! :eek:

allie5 · Sep 5, 2004

Ive flown Monarch a few times. Recently to Spain and they were great. My FIL uses them very regularly to travel to Europe and rates them as one of the best airlines to travel with.

We flew back from Orlando with them once, years ago and that was a nightmare. It was a tiny plane that had to stop for fuel in Bangor, Maine. There was a smoking section on the plane that meant the whole cabin was filled with smoke. Seatback TVs were probably not invented then!! There was a nasty incident of "air rage" as well when there was a kick boxing fight between two passengers on take off...the pilot had to come and seperate them, as all the cabin crew were female!!

On the plus side...this was nearly 10 years ago, so Im sure things have improved!! The cabin crew were fantastic and even the food was good! Im sure they have bigger planes these days for the transatlantic routes...I dont think any of the tour operators do the stopovers anymore!

Im sure someone wil have a more recent review of Monarchs Orlando route.

Allie

sharon-o · Sep 5, 2004

We flew with monarch july this year to ibiza they were very profesional, nice hot food, friendly staff and the best landing we have ever experienced!
The plane was small though my son went to the toilet in spain and returned when we flew over france he counld'nt get past the food trolly!

SplashMtn · Sep 5, 2004

Thanks Allie5- phew glad that was ten years ago!- im petrified of flying and would have probably passed out with that fight going on! Glad to hear of the more recent positive experiences though! ::yes::

Edit:- thanks sharon-o too! (posted at the same time)

maureen4200040 · Sep 5, 2004

Hi Splash Mtn

I have'nt flown Monarch before so I can't offer you much advice. But I would like to welcome you to the DIS boards.

Maureen4200040 :grouphug:

SplashMtn · Sep 5, 2004

Thanks maureen4200040! :jumping2:

:thewave:

RoyalCanadian · Sep 5, 2004

Originally posted by sharon-o
The plane was small though my son went to the toilet in spain and returned when we flew over france he counld'nt get past the food trolly!

Oooh -- I could say so many things -- but I do love the idea of a bathroom visit so long that two countries are involved.

squitty · Sep 7, 2004

Hi SplashMtn

I am flying with Monarch from Newcastle to Orlando in Oct. I will let you know what they are like then

Can I just ask where you heard Thomas Cook weren't flying out of NCL next year. This is a shame as they are a nice airline to fly with.

Cochise · Sep 7, 2004

I flew with Monarch on my return from visiting family in Spain last year. They are a scheduled company and provide very good service compared to the charter airlines. I would think they would be as good on the long haul.
I will be suprised if they let you down. They have two long haul aircraft :

G-EOMA Airbus A330-242
G-SMAN Airbus A330-242

Monarch aquired them new in April 1999 so they are relatively new, should be in good state of repair.

http://members.tripod.com/Craigs_Airlines/monarch.htm

SplashMtn · Sep 7, 2004

Thanks squitty- we discovered Thomas Cook wouldnt be flying from newcastle when we booked our holiday for next july! :hyper:

Thomas Cook airlines were great, though from what I know Monarch will be using the same type of plane (airbus a330) so my seat back tv experience should continue!

Great timing Cochise-just as I was going to post! That means that it will be the same type of plane then as with Thomas cook- thats great news thanks for the info!

The planes are new- thats a relief with my fear of flying! (Dont want any wings falling off)! :earseek:

Cochise · Sep 7, 2004

Originally posted by SplashMtn
Thanks squitty- we discovered Thomas Cook wouldnt be flying from newcastle when we booked our holiday for next july!

Thomas Cook airlines were great, though from what I know Monarch will be using the same type of plane (airbus a330) so my seat back tv experience should continue!

Great timing Cochise-just as I was going to post! That means that it will be the same type of plane then as with Thomas cook- thats great news thanks for the info!

The planes are new- thats a relief with my fear of flying! (Dont want any wings falling off)!

Just dont mention the two Virgin 747's from Manchester were built in 1985 and 1991

I will be on one next year and i h8 flying.

SplashMtn · Sep 7, 2004

Originally posted by Cochise
Just dont mention the two Virgin 747's from Manchester were built in 1985 and 1991 I will be on one next year and i h8 flying.

:space: Im waiting for the invention of teleportation to overcome my flying problem!!

About the 747's, id love to fly in one of those- its got 2 spare engines if the other two go horribly wrong!! :teeth:

Cochise · Sep 7, 2004

If i went by teleportation, i would end up half man half fly just like Bart Simpson.

Seriously, if you have any worries about flying, goto the SOAR website, they have a councillor that has a sort of FAQ. What gave me confidence was he is a Captain. Give it a try.

SplashMtn · Sep 7, 2004

Thanks Cochise, I have read a similar site with a spookily similar URL which has been very informative. I cant remember the address though after my recent computer breaking episode!

Im not hysterical or anything about flying though id rather the scientists did hurry up with that teleportation solution

squitty · Sep 8, 2004

Hi SplashMtn

we discovered Thomas Cook wouldnt be flying from newcastle when we booked our holiday for next july

I have just been onto Thomas Cook's website and got a price flying from NCL all through July. :confused:

Have a look here Thomas Cook

SplashMtn · Sep 8, 2004

I could be wrong squitty, but I think the flights are still booked through Thomas Cook with them using a different airline instead of their own. :confused:

Of course I could be wrong but thats just the info that I have been given from the travel agent. Loved their service last time so if I am wrong it will bve a good thing! :bounce: