Would have thought monarch despite the problems have a far more "respectable" image than jet 2 which rightly or wrongly are perceived as rather pikey by many

I would say perhaps Jet2 could be terms more brash / in your face; whereas the the image Monarch portrays is more "classy" - up market if you like.

The substance might be totally different of course.

Jet2 are ramping up and getting quite a credible competitor in many of MON's airports and certainly now in the London area (STN) too -
a fleet of 60 a/c being renewed as well

The Jet 2 brand and Jet2 name is improving steadily and healthly - I think they are gaining much steam as the big player behind TUI and TCX in the IT market with Jet2 holidays as well as the seat only sales.

Monarch's family owned holiday brand Cosmos was not part of the greybull deal,
the Cosmos name and brand was good since 1961 along with sister company Globus (both of which the family still own)
- with Monarch doing the flying for Cosmos from 1968 until 2015 when ties were dropped


Monarch Holidays website is dire and looks messy - where do you start...

not digging at MON (i used to work for them at LGW - great times) but where are they going ?

the family had that with Cosmos and Monarch from 1968...

but sadly airlines and tour companies now reap only what they sewed - they all dismantled the holiday package bit by bit and you ended up with the Lo-Co carriers sweeping the board with the once IT charter reliant carriers foundering one by one trying to keep up - read Monarch here still treading water as the only one left
- now the nice bits (bags meals reserved seats transfers) are difficult to put back cost wise

Now, folk maybe are turning back to wanting a full package deal especially with the state of the currencies v the £ now which show no sign of improvements

BTW there is no niche UK charter carrier left now - not one - Titan airways picks up bits and bobs like Cunard cruise charters and Corsican places to calvi and Figari plus some ski flights in winter

BA has a massive weekend charter programme form LHR to many Greek Islands Corsica and Sardinia plus Cunard cruise charters
also from the regionals EDI ABZ IOM HUM and GLA using BACF EMB a/c

small planet germania volotea and enter air plus some french and Turkish outfits seem to be picking up niche IT work past few years from both regionals and London

So the long haul/feeder tie ups between EasyJet, Norwegian and West Jet, a missed opportunity for Monarch to use their expansion fleet?
Guess now, even if Monarch do announce long haul they won't stand a cat in hells chance of making it work?
Where do they go now?
Who do they tie up with if anyone?

Keep an eye out for some possible news shortly.

Vueling?
 

Vueling could be a possible link up if they are in a position to and looking to expand their networks.

Vueling are pulling back from the regions !
Monarch and Norwegian is more likely - agreed watch this space

I think it's around now when new routes tend to be announced? I heard a rumour about a new route to Zagreb from Birmingham. Let's hope it's some good news.

Monarch
 

Good or bad news?

Given who has posted it i'd guess they are salivating at the prospect of someone losing their job....So my money's on bad , If of course there is any substance to the report of "news"....

Zagreb is already operating I think?

It be good news for a change ��

I'm not salivating at anything... As of the moment, no 'news'.

So just because someone has said there's going to be an announcement, you all start speculating about it being bad. I do hope for the Monarch employees it's not bad. From what I have heard it sounds like they have a group of great employees who all seem to enjoy working together. Not many other companies have that (mine included). I wish them well

I suspect toledoashley is talking complete boloxs...

As Monarch are advertising for Cabin Crew at most bases and inviting candidates for interview then I doubt whether they would waste money on hotel accommodation if it was bad news.

No, I have heard (from a good source) there is some movement going on behind the scenes, but what outcome that will have I don’t know.

Good source being someone who works there?

Supposedly 2 announcements , one small one and a significant second one .
Rumours where it was supposed to be revealed on Thursday.... part of me believes that #savetheday will happen again !
Lots of hype (people think it's LH) but I reckon it will be as average as a new route announced e.g...

It isn't inconceivable that Monarch would go back into long haul. They have the MAX aircraft arriving in 2018, 3 of there bases have little or no long haul competition BHX,LTN and LBA. I can't see it being that hard for them to lease wide body aircraft or even wet lease until they can get there own. There is even the potential for them to expand it to other airports like EDI or CWL.