Except for this one (leased - so operated rather than owned)

Boeing 767-31KER, G-DIMB, Monarch Airlines (ZB / MON)

ZeBedie
 

I agree with you, but you are assuming as everyone else is, that the order goes direct to the manufacturer.
Orders may go to leasing companies, as they may have slots available.

The only reason they have had a mixed fleet was not a concious decision of a split order of simultaneous new Boeings and Airbus, its purely been the remnants of an old fleet that Monarch have maintained and preserved well (ie the few remaining 757's). Otherwise its been majority Airbus. That's how I expect it continue for short haul fleet anyway. Given frequencies, less ties to package operators, there is no specific need to have 220 out of relative niche routes like HRG.

Personally I think that Airbus makes sense, but the scuttlebutt is that Boeing have put in an absolutely superb offer, so it's probably all to play for.

Monarch exec chairman Iain Rawlinson was speaking at an industry function on Thursday. According to ATW Online (behind a paywall, so I'll quote sparingly), he said:
I attended the function in question and can confirm that he was (as you might expect at this point in negotiations ;)) emphatic about the finely balanced nature of the race. My own recollection was that he referred to Airbus/Boeing availability as being from 2016 onward (because of their full order books).

Well i guess they can get the C series ahead of the Airbus or Boeing, but the longer version of the C series is running 6 months or so behind the shorter version and even the 300 in high density seating (28' seat pitch) only seats 160 and a 150 for the (30' seat pitch) so along way behind both Boeing and Airbus. I can't see the shorter take off run performance of the C being any benefit for Monarch on its route net work either other than perhaps GIB

The Airbus Neo is around from 2015/16 & the 737 Max from 2017/18 but i understand some un sold slots on NG's in 2016/17

I think they should stick with the bus, so i guess they'll split the order….

Crikey,

Monarch increasing their seat pitch to 28", positively barmy for them :}

Increasing from what?

28" is the minimum seat pitch.

Say again slowly.

Seriously, think their pitch is 29" I pack a shoe horn to prise myself out of my seat :)

I also believe the first maintenance operations will be on G-MONS & G-OZBB which will visit for their final checks as stated earlier in the thread :)

G-OZBB is now going into MAN.
G-MONS will be first planned maintenance for the hangar with G-OJMR joining it about 4 or 5 days later.

Nigel, I can assure you that I know the seat pitches that we have better than most! There's not a lot of 28" seats, but we do have them.

Try the new seats, you'll like the amount if soace you get on them.

Interesting quote. Adding to the mix, I understand Monarch are keen to see the A320 sharklet retrofit certified for the A321 also.

A fleet overhaul schedule of C300, sharklet the existing A321s and run them on until deivery slots become available for A321neos would make alot of sense and one very competetive and versatile fleet.

On a personal level, I hope Boeing do not get to the winning post with a B737 proposal. It's an aircraft I dislike intensely, despite its undisputed commercial success. The Sky interior does little to belie the aircraft's shortcomings; the floor is too high which encroaches on shoulder space, the windows sre consequently too low that you crick your neck to view out, the fuselage width, whilst only a matter of cm different, is noticeably narrower than the A320. It's the last evolution of a 50 year old design before Boeing come up with a new narrow body, it's performsnce is constrained by its short gear which in turn leads to a compromised engine offerring compared to the Airbus neo. No matter how many winglets, chevrons or other aerodynamic tweaks they attach to the wingtips, the B737-900MAX is going to be runway hog and a performsnce dog in charter config. There are too many compromises with the -MAX, for Monarch's requirements that it will boil purely down to price if they get the order.

Airbus has the advantage of a longer gear, allowing an uncompromised new gen, engine to hang underneath. Whilst only cms different, the cabin is noticeably wider and more spacious. The neo will be able to fly every route currently flown by Monarch's A320 family and B757, and will be the only narrowbody on the market able to haul 220 pax from the Red Sea resorts, Banjul or Cape Verde - UK, guaranteed non-stop, year round; on a 35C day in HRG, the -900MAX will be leaving people and bags there.

The C300 will have a capacity of 160 passengers @ 28" pitch, though it will also have 19" wide seats, noticeably more than the average 17.4" economy offerring and range to cover almost the entire network, though those not attainable are already served by the larger A321 and B757.

Comparing directly with TOM, a C300/A321 fleet would give a more versatile short haul fleet over TOM's B737-800/ -800MAX which, when every commercial opportunity has to be explored, could give MON the edge, especially on routes where demand is seasonally different.

Exciting times ahead for Monarch. :ok:

Stoney
 

Thoughtful analysis and you are probably correct at the 220 seat level, but 220 seats puts you at 5 CC min and you have to fill them, an A321 is simply to big for much of what Monarch seem to want to become i.e. a LoCo schedules airline, conversely the C300 is to small the A320/737 it the sweet spot, the current NG with SFP can do Cape Verde or Banjul from the UK and the Sky interior really does make a big difference.

The 737Max is of course much later into service date than the Neo and yes its the last throw of the dice for a very old but ultra reliable design and probably cheaper to buy.

So i think incremental airbus additions until new build are available. I just don't get the C300 argument, who else in this sector apart from Air Baltic have ordered them? plus it will likely be a dead end type rating for crews, just like the CRJ/E145…..be careful what you wish for.

Why would Monarch be interested in the Sharklet retrofit for the A321 when they do not own the aircraft.
If Monarch go to Airbus or Boeing, both manufactures will be offering CEO & NG as a stop gap before NEO & MAX are available, as they are with other operators.

Say again slowly,

I flew on G-OJEG few yrs ago from BHX and the seat pitch was equal to about 26". For some reason it had different config that others I have flown on.

It had rigid wire pocket to put the newspapers on the back of the seats.The man next to me cut his knee quite badly on a bit of the wire .

Without doubt it was the most uncomfortable plane I have even been on

We flew back on another one and it was much better, with collapse able seat back pockets.

Still because of the 1st flt my wife states she will never fly MON again.

Pity as would like to give the new seats a try.