Big Up for Monarch
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Big Up for Monarch
Myself and Mrs Elpus have planned next years hoilday already. We are going back to Marbella for two weeks in June, the accomodation was booked so we needed to sort out the flights.
EZY haven't posted for next year yet (didn't really want to go with them anyway after last years problems) so I went to the MON website. I was quite surprised to see that you could book for next June already and even more shocked to find that the cost for the two of us to AGP was £196.40 including taxes. We paid £270 each last year with EZY.
There was a slight problem with the credit card number I gave over the website, which I didn't realise until the day after. I sent MON an e-mail explaining my senior moment and got a very nice reply and it was all sorted within the hour. Fantastic customer service.
The tickets arrived over the weekend, everything in place in just three weeks, that's what I call service.
A quick question to anyone at MON. The outbound leg shows 321, which I assume is an A321 but the inbound shows 21S. What's the difference??
EZY haven't posted for next year yet (didn't really want to go with them anyway after last years problems) so I went to the MON website. I was quite surprised to see that you could book for next June already and even more shocked to find that the cost for the two of us to AGP was £196.40 including taxes. We paid £270 each last year with EZY.
There was a slight problem with the credit card number I gave over the website, which I didn't realise until the day after. I sent MON an e-mail explaining my senior moment and got a very nice reply and it was all sorted within the hour. Fantastic customer service.
The tickets arrived over the weekend, everything in place in just three weeks, that's what I call service.
A quick question to anyone at MON. The outbound leg shows 321, which I assume is an A321 but the inbound shows 21S. What's the difference??
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Evanelpus -
Glad you have found the service good so far, and I am sure the flights will be of a similar level of service.
You have just sumbled on one of the industry's best kept secrets. Compared to easyJet you will get:
1) Allocated seats - no bunfight to get on the aircraft.
2) In flight meal.
3) Lots of other things included.
The aircraft operating the service will depend on your point and day of departure. It could be an Airbus 321, 320 or Boeing 757. Monarch have been known to switch to the A330 if the booked load justifies it.
Monarch tend to hide their scheduled service light under a bushel a bit too much, but those who try it seem to keep coming back for more. Please pass on the word to your friends.
Glad you have found the service good so far, and I am sure the flights will be of a similar level of service.
You have just sumbled on one of the industry's best kept secrets. Compared to easyJet you will get:
1) Allocated seats - no bunfight to get on the aircraft.
2) In flight meal.
3) Lots of other things included.
The aircraft operating the service will depend on your point and day of departure. It could be an Airbus 321, 320 or Boeing 757. Monarch have been known to switch to the A330 if the booked load justifies it.
Monarch tend to hide their scheduled service light under a bushel a bit too much, but those who try it seem to keep coming back for more. Please pass on the word to your friends.
Thread Starter
Neo
Just about everyone I have spoken to at work who travels to AGP thoroughly recommends MON on this route.
Still can't believe I have the tickets in my hand, just got to wait now for the holiday!!
Just about everyone I have spoken to at work who travels to AGP thoroughly recommends MON on this route.
Still can't believe I have the tickets in my hand, just got to wait now for the holiday!!
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Monarch also perform far better than EZY when it comes to Punctuality on this route.
From Luton their average delay is 9.2 minutes with 81% on-time performance (within 15 mins) and only 2.3% of flights over an hour late.
In comparison, easyJet have an average delay of 22.5 minutes, 67% on-time performance and 11% of services over an hour late!
From Stansted to AGP they are even worse with 23.8 minutes average, only 61% on-time and 11% over an hour late
I'm surprised Monarch don't make more noise about their far better punctuality record than EZY.
easyjet 2003 Punctuality
Monarch Scheduled 2003 Punctuality
From Luton their average delay is 9.2 minutes with 81% on-time performance (within 15 mins) and only 2.3% of flights over an hour late.
In comparison, easyJet have an average delay of 22.5 minutes, 67% on-time performance and 11% of services over an hour late!
From Stansted to AGP they are even worse with 23.8 minutes average, only 61% on-time and 11% over an hour late
I'm surprised Monarch don't make more noise about their far better punctuality record than EZY.
easyjet 2003 Punctuality
Monarch Scheduled 2003 Punctuality
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I've been using MON regularly on the AGP-MAN run for a couple of years now and they remain my carrier of choice.
Only irritations are the frequent flyer scheme that seems to be poorly administered and check in at Manch' where you have to get past the 'cabin bag police'. That's probably more the Manch' jobsworth mentality rather than anything to do with Monarch.
Only had one significant delay in two years and we were well informed and given scoff vouchers right away.
Only irritations are the frequent flyer scheme that seems to be poorly administered and check in at Manch' where you have to get past the 'cabin bag police'. That's probably more the Manch' jobsworth mentality rather than anything to do with Monarch.
Only had one significant delay in two years and we were well informed and given scoff vouchers right away.
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Flew to FAO with MON schedueld last year, very good. Went out in one of the vintage 757s and came back in an A320 due to the 757 being tech. (even got a letter at check-in to apologise for the 45min delay and the downgrade in aircraft size!!) Was very impressed, free drinks, hot towels etc etc and was cheaper than any of the lo-co's..... Inflight entertainment was aslo good, its different on the schedueld routes than on the charters.....
Hope Monarch Schedueld continues to see succes, and expands... keep it up
Hope Monarch Schedueld continues to see succes, and expands... keep it up
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Monarch scheduled
I recently checked their site for MAN to BCN in February and they offered me a price of £42 ret(incl tax)!!! Service looked miles better than usual locos. Birmingham is nearer to home though so went for Mytravellite at £46.
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and if malaga flights are busy try gibraltar. Monarch scheduled have been operating to gibraltar from luton since 1997 and now offer daily 757's from luton in the summer, cutting down to 5 a week in the winter (A320). And just launched this week, a much needed manchester-gibraltar service, initially launched at 3 times weekly, bookings appear to be very healthy, especially when the route has been launched in the winter season (and at introductory prices of about £25 return, who could resist?!). Monarch is the only operator on this much 'requested' route by the gibraltar community and will hopefully have growing patronage to bring the route up to 1990s levels when an almost daily service was operated by the sadly missed air europe. GO MONARCH GO!
PS, has management considered LGW-GIB?
PS, has management considered LGW-GIB?
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Gibraltar is so much fun, especially on a windy day. Be prepared to land at Tangier, refuel and fly on to .... Malaga only to be bussed back down the coast. We always insist on staying on the bus into GIB so we can clear customs (again) and do the duty free shop.
As for Monarch, yes they are good, but what happened to the "Crown" Service? It's more like a paper hat service these days, suppose that's all to save money, but they are reliable, courteous and good value - something the orange brigade could consider!
As for Monarch, yes they are good, but what happened to the "Crown" Service? It's more like a paper hat service these days, suppose that's all to save money, but they are reliable, courteous and good value - something the orange brigade could consider!
Just been down to AGP from MAN with Baby (£30inc tax) returning MON (£60 inc tax)
Have to say the Baby crew were very friendly & relaxed. Without the constant trolley in the aisle made movement around the cabin much more comfortable. At MAN they (Baby)almost always use front+back steps to facilitate quick turn rounds.
The return (MON)started by check-in not opening until dead on 2 hours before flt-huge queues - very slow.
On board I felt constant "negative" comments by crew.
" Don't put bottles in the overhead..." about 15 times, don't do this...don't do that....even the farewell on landing included don't forget the next time you fly Monarch your bags are limited to.... & cabin bags must be only 5kgs.......and you must not have more than one bag and you must check in by xxx....& so it went.
I felt guilty about checking in a suitcase & having a 3kg cabin bag.
"Oh & by the way, we are limited with tea & coffee so, there will be only one cup per person". as for the meal, I'd settle for selecting my own sandwich any day. Then there's the wait of getting 200+ slightly tipsy golfers out through a single door.
No, I didn't find the frills worth it nor the flt very relaxing.
Have to say the Baby crew were very friendly & relaxed. Without the constant trolley in the aisle made movement around the cabin much more comfortable. At MAN they (Baby)almost always use front+back steps to facilitate quick turn rounds.
The return (MON)started by check-in not opening until dead on 2 hours before flt-huge queues - very slow.
On board I felt constant "negative" comments by crew.
" Don't put bottles in the overhead..." about 15 times, don't do this...don't do that....even the farewell on landing included don't forget the next time you fly Monarch your bags are limited to.... & cabin bags must be only 5kgs.......and you must not have more than one bag and you must check in by xxx....& so it went.
I felt guilty about checking in a suitcase & having a 3kg cabin bag.
"Oh & by the way, we are limited with tea & coffee so, there will be only one cup per person". as for the meal, I'd settle for selecting my own sandwich any day. Then there's the wait of getting 200+ slightly tipsy golfers out through a single door.
No, I didn't find the frills worth it nor the flt very relaxing.
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Nobody likes to be nagged but you can't blame them for the "don't put bottles in the overheads" if people do, they land on other peoples heads when the lockers open and it's not nice.
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MR A TIS
did you not enjoy having a seat allocated for you
-no scrum at the gate to get to the acft ?
did you not enjoy the inflite entertainment ?
the free booze ?
those announcements which bothered you were for your safety I can assure you..
but its down to your choice....
did you not enjoy having a seat allocated for you
-no scrum at the gate to get to the acft ?
did you not enjoy the inflite entertainment ?
the free booze ?
those announcements which bothered you were for your safety I can assure you..
but its down to your choice....
Of course I appreciate the need to make safety annoucements, but the way this was done ( ad nausseum) my lasting memory of the flt was...don't this, don't that, can't this, can't that, over & over again.......oh & we almost forgot, thanks for flying Monarch.
I just felt the pax were made to feel an inconvenience for messing up a new aircraft by being there.
By the way Baby allocates seats at check-in too, HLX don't but I've yet to experience a "scrum" even on a full B737-700.
The MON food was pretty dull & the entertainment pretty much the same, paying twice the Baby price for a "free" G + T - is it worth it??
Good luck to the MON team, but glad to see at last there is real competition, yer pays yer money, yer makes ya choice.....
I just felt the pax were made to feel an inconvenience for messing up a new aircraft by being there.
By the way Baby allocates seats at check-in too, HLX don't but I've yet to experience a "scrum" even on a full B737-700.
The MON food was pretty dull & the entertainment pretty much the same, paying twice the Baby price for a "free" G + T - is it worth it??
Good luck to the MON team, but glad to see at last there is real competition, yer pays yer money, yer makes ya choice.....
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I also fly the GIB route, and must say, punctuality is spot on. The meals are satisfactory, slightly downgraded now since I think 2000. More plastic throways on the tray than before. The in-flight entertainment is aimed at the lowest common denominator, but all in all an excellent service.
2 out of 3 flights (winter time) have been diverted to Tangier, and then to Malaga due to the strong winds at GIB, but adds to the fun of trying the approach into GIB if you're in no hurry to arrive at the ultimate destination. The arrangements for the diversion are spot on with speedy despatch to our ultimate destination.
What is strange is there are 4 buses at Malaga for the passengers marked, GIB only, GIB, Estepona only, GIB, Marbella and Fuengirola only, so you can choose which one to get on and get dropped at the closest place you're ultimately going to. However if you choose the GIB only bus (with the intention of going to La Linea or Algeciras), you are made to cross from Spain into GIB, then clear customs (on board the bus), drive past the airport to your left, go along the main road, across the runway, up to the roundabout near the city centre, then back across the runway, veer to the right on the apron towards the terminal building, and disembark the bus and go into the arrivals queue, where GIB immigration ask you if you're staying in GIB or crossing into Spain!
Then your bags are put on the carousel for reclaiming! How bizarre, as most other passengers have esconsed into Spain without having cleared customs! At least the beauty of clearing GIB customs is that you get to buy the cheapest ciggies in the world (£7.80). Fun, fun, fun!
2 out of 3 flights (winter time) have been diverted to Tangier, and then to Malaga due to the strong winds at GIB, but adds to the fun of trying the approach into GIB if you're in no hurry to arrive at the ultimate destination. The arrangements for the diversion are spot on with speedy despatch to our ultimate destination.
What is strange is there are 4 buses at Malaga for the passengers marked, GIB only, GIB, Estepona only, GIB, Marbella and Fuengirola only, so you can choose which one to get on and get dropped at the closest place you're ultimately going to. However if you choose the GIB only bus (with the intention of going to La Linea or Algeciras), you are made to cross from Spain into GIB, then clear customs (on board the bus), drive past the airport to your left, go along the main road, across the runway, up to the roundabout near the city centre, then back across the runway, veer to the right on the apron towards the terminal building, and disembark the bus and go into the arrivals queue, where GIB immigration ask you if you're staying in GIB or crossing into Spain!
Then your bags are put on the carousel for reclaiming! How bizarre, as most other passengers have esconsed into Spain without having cleared customs! At least the beauty of clearing GIB customs is that you get to buy the cheapest ciggies in the world (£7.80). Fun, fun, fun!
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"paying twice the Baby price for a "free" G + T - is it worth it??"
NO but perhaps a tenner for the drinks, meal, papers and IFE and another fiver for the fact that if there are delays or canx you will be well cared for? That's what I'd pay and I'm a tight git!
NO but perhaps a tenner for the drinks, meal, papers and IFE and another fiver for the fact that if there are delays or canx you will be well cared for? That's what I'd pay and I'm a tight git!
