Monarch - 3
What, with the sudden strength of the Swiss Franc, even the Dignitas solution has become unaffordable! Sitting on a bench on Beachy Head is really cold this time of year!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Newcastle NI
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just had a look at the Skytrax feed back on Monarch following the change of ownership, seats and cabin crew re-progamming on customer attitude.
A mixed bag, a Sharm flight with tech stop for fuel in Venice and crew going out of hours didn't play well and the new seats get a lot of complaints about lack of leg room and comfort.
The cabin crew didn't fare much better either.
There was some positive feed back as well.
A mixed bag, a Sharm flight with tech stop for fuel in Venice and crew going out of hours didn't play well and the new seats get a lot of complaints about lack of leg room and comfort.
The cabin crew didn't fare much better either.
There was some positive feed back as well.
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For once Monarch went the right way about the seats. They were trialled for a season on a couple of planes. The majority of customers loved them, definitely an increase in legroom, and so are being installed throughout the fleet.
No airline can please everyone. Just look at VS upper class reviews. I reckon most of those customers have their company pay for the ticket, and they're still not happy.
No airline can please everyone. Just look at VS upper class reviews. I reckon most of those customers have their company pay for the ticket, and they're still not happy.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: solihull West Midlands
Posts: 967
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seen a lot of reports on new slimline seats generally offering more legroom but being less comfortable. Perhaps what you would expect as they have less padding.
Suppose on a 2 hr flight thats bare able .
Not sure a 5hr flight would be good, although to be honest never tried the new thin seats that are all the rage now.
Suppose on a 2 hr flight thats bare able .
Not sure a 5hr flight would be good, although to be honest never tried the new thin seats that are all the rage now.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Newcastle NI
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pwalhx
Have a look on Skytrax, as i said a mixed bag, some complained about thin seats and lack of leg room?? but don't shoot the messenger
The overall impression is a long way away from where they want to be and need to be if they are serious about taking on the big boys in the LoCo world
The overall impression is a long way away from where they want to be and need to be if they are serious about taking on the big boys in the LoCo world
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
" a Sharm flight with tech stop for fuel in Venice and crew going out of hours didn't play well"
Worth looking how many operators Airbus 319/20/21 or Boeing 737 struggled to lift a full load with some of the head winds due to the Jetstream recently out of the Red Sea / Eastern end of Med - UK.
Venice is good option to get a relief crew out to meet the tech stop due fuel and crew hours on a 13hr + day.
Worth looking how many operators Airbus 319/20/21 or Boeing 737 struggled to lift a full load with some of the head winds due to the Jetstream recently out of the Red Sea / Eastern end of Med - UK.
Venice is good option to get a relief crew out to meet the tech stop due fuel and crew hours on a 13hr + day.
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Newcastle NI
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hapzim
The impression i got from the Skytrax customer complaint was more about lack of communication, of course the fact that flight didn't go back to BHX after the Venice stop but rather to Luton wouldn't help.
I know these things happen, but what sets you apart is how you fix it, plus ZBdeee's ops department would have know at least 12 hours in advance that a fuel tech stop was likely. Below from Skytrax
Travelled last night from Sharm El Sheikh to Birmingham. ZB0473. It was a total fiasco. Diverted to Venice for 30 min refuelling 'hop', only to discover crew out of hours. No replacement available and when it was, the flight would not land at Birmingham but Luton. The result was a 7 hour delay overnight. Disgraceful service and 'suck it up people, these things happen' attitude by Monarch pilots, who couldn't tell a straight story between them. Have loved Monarch in the past but given them the benefit of the doubt now too many times. This airline doesn't deserve the loyalty of customers because it doesn't see them as people, rather as 'bums on seats', and takes every opportunity to avoid responsibility. Would not recommend.
For Balance see also from Skytrax
ZB238/239, 3rd-10th January. I have flown Monarch 4x times this year and have to write as they have improved immensely in the past 12 months. The check-in facility at Gatwick is now excellent. The standard of the refurbished cabins with the new slim back seating is so much better than any comparable airline - there is a real sense of space and no need to pay for extra legroom (I am 6ft+). The food/snack choice is more than acceptable and for the first time in a long time their crew seem to be genuinely trained in customer service. What's more - no delays this year! I hope these new changes are here to stay.
I know these things happen, but what sets you apart is how you fix it, plus ZBdeee's ops department would have know at least 12 hours in advance that a fuel tech stop was likely. Below from Skytrax
Travelled last night from Sharm El Sheikh to Birmingham. ZB0473. It was a total fiasco. Diverted to Venice for 30 min refuelling 'hop', only to discover crew out of hours. No replacement available and when it was, the flight would not land at Birmingham but Luton. The result was a 7 hour delay overnight. Disgraceful service and 'suck it up people, these things happen' attitude by Monarch pilots, who couldn't tell a straight story between them. Have loved Monarch in the past but given them the benefit of the doubt now too many times. This airline doesn't deserve the loyalty of customers because it doesn't see them as people, rather as 'bums on seats', and takes every opportunity to avoid responsibility. Would not recommend.
For Balance see also from Skytrax
ZB238/239, 3rd-10th January. I have flown Monarch 4x times this year and have to write as they have improved immensely in the past 12 months. The check-in facility at Gatwick is now excellent. The standard of the refurbished cabins with the new slim back seating is so much better than any comparable airline - there is a real sense of space and no need to pay for extra legroom (I am 6ft+). The food/snack choice is more than acceptable and for the first time in a long time their crew seem to be genuinely trained in customer service. What's more - no delays this year! I hope these new changes are here to stay.
Last edited by Facelookbovvered; 21st Jan 2015 at 09:42. Reason: Balance
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Newcastle NI
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MKY661
Denial is the best form of defence
Of course all airlines get negative reports, more people will vent their spleen over poor service then good service, plus some + feedback is clearly from respective airline employee's, having said that you cannot read without getting some idea about an airline. I was more interested to see if the change of ownership was having an impact at + or - at the customer interface, my verdict is too early to say. Conversely feedback on Ryanair is definitely showing improvement, Jet2 also improving, EasyJet no change, Norwegian negative, mainly off the back of higher customer expectations on long haul, these are the people that Monarch must bench mark against to stay in the game, personally i would rate Jet2 above Monarch in most area they are more consistent despite its average fleet age and do seem to pull the stops out when something goes wrong.
Companies ignore the likes of trip advisor at their peril, ZB have an loyal customer base, its also newlyweds & nearly dead's, it needs to keep the former it will loose the latter........
Of course all airlines get negative reports, more people will vent their spleen over poor service then good service, plus some + feedback is clearly from respective airline employee's, having said that you cannot read without getting some idea about an airline. I was more interested to see if the change of ownership was having an impact at + or - at the customer interface, my verdict is too early to say. Conversely feedback on Ryanair is definitely showing improvement, Jet2 also improving, EasyJet no change, Norwegian negative, mainly off the back of higher customer expectations on long haul, these are the people that Monarch must bench mark against to stay in the game, personally i would rate Jet2 above Monarch in most area they are more consistent despite its average fleet age and do seem to pull the stops out when something goes wrong.
Companies ignore the likes of trip advisor at their peril, ZB have an loyal customer base, its also newlyweds & nearly dead's, it needs to keep the former it will loose the latter........
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Spain
Age: 56
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anyone any ideas re the Winter 2015/2016 schedules appearing? Reading on other forums here that Monarch don't seem to have any bookable flights to Lanzarote after 1st November? Tenerife is bookable. People are contacting Monarch with little success or news to report.
While I would be very surprised if Lanzarote gets dropped, this can only push people towards other operators?
While I would be very surprised if Lanzarote gets dropped, this can only push people towards other operators?
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Facelookbovvered - what is the aim of you posting comments from skytrax and your apparent customer feedback update anyway? I don't want to sound shirty but is it just to cause a discussion (which is fair enough) although are you going to do the same in the other threads for BA, EasyJet, Thomson etc??
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Newcastle NI
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cloud1
Well this a Monarch thread and the airline has undergone some fundamental changes, many of the costs of which have fallen upon the foot soldiers at Monarch, it is indeed a discussion point and i think a valid one given their/your? managements stated aim of restructuring into the LoCo area.
The comments posts from Skytrax are cut and paste, so no apparently about it.
I do not work for them or ever been interviewed so no axe to grind, but if we just try and bury and comments that might appear other than positive, then whats the point.
Leg room, yes i was puzzled by the comment and i know they were tested prior to introduction so i will have to judge for myself shortly when i plan to fly to Manchester with them.
The comments posts from Skytrax are cut and paste, so no apparently about it.
I do not work for them or ever been interviewed so no axe to grind, but if we just try and bury and comments that might appear other than positive, then whats the point.
Leg room, yes i was puzzled by the comment and i know they were tested prior to introduction so i will have to judge for myself shortly when i plan to fly to Manchester with them.
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: manchester
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having flown with monarch several times the last few months I can see why some pax are saying that the seats are tight for legroom. It appears that some of the aircraft have the padded fabric seats still where as some have the new 'tablet holder' thin style recaro seats. Where as a few days when I travelled back on an A320 the seats were padded purple leather which were the worst legroom I have ever encountered. I'm not sure whether they have been trialling different ones and not had time to change them or whether this is what they are keeping. Another thing I have noticed is they like to 'reschedule' the flight very close to departure time. I got an email whilst in the departure lounge saying the flight was being changed to half an hour later which I thought was odd. Then the aircraft arrived and took nearly 50 mins to board an a321! Then a few days ago they did the same thing whilst travelling back from alicante but half an hour earlier. Does anybody know why this is?
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding the seats -
A320's
Non of the A320's have been fitted with the new "tablet holder" seats, G-OZBW/X/Y have seats covered in purple leather style material, these seats are ex previous carriers that have been re-trimmed.
A321's
Aircraft G-MARA, G-OJEG, G-OZBI/T/U/Z, G-ZBAF/G/K/L all have the new seats fitted.
A320's
Non of the A320's have been fitted with the new "tablet holder" seats, G-OZBW/X/Y have seats covered in purple leather style material, these seats are ex previous carriers that have been re-trimmed.
A321's
Aircraft G-MARA, G-OJEG, G-OZBI/T/U/Z, G-ZBAF/G/K/L all have the new seats fitted.