Monarch

[paul357]

We picked up a cheap deal to Florida with Monarch, but since booking I've read some poor reviews. Has anybody flown with them recently? Do any of their planes have seat back entertainment?

I'm not much bothered about the quality of service, or free drinks etc, its keeping 2 young kids entertained for 8 hours that can be a problem.

I also read you have to rent headphones from them for the in flight entertainment, is that true! If so do normal headpnones fit?

[KevinT]

Hi Paul,
It's a couple of years since we flew with Monarch from Newcastle to Sanford. They used an Airbus 300 which was a very nice plane. I think it had seat back screens but can't remember. Monarch are as good / or bad as most of the charter companies. Normal headphones do not usually fit the planes system as its a two pin type. Best thing to do is keep your headphones for the next trip! [msnsmile2]

[John Rocke]

There is a thread further down dedicated to flying and there are recent posts about Monarch.

It doesn't really mater who you fly with in my mind, the seat pitch on charters is usually less than on scheduled flights so you have to accept that.

The biggest influence on any journey is usually the other passengers.

jr

[wilfy]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by paul357
Do any of their planes have seat back entertainment?

I'm not much bothered about the quality of service, or free drinks etc, its keeping 2 young kids entertained for 8 hours that can be a problem.

[/quote]

Paul, i think Monarch use 767's for these flights and as a rule they don't come with seat back screens. Even so, if they did have these screens, we all know that it won't keep young kids amused for 8 hours. Go prepared with all manner of things to keep 'em occupied, and look forward to what's to come [msnsmile2]

[heathercobbett]

We flew Monarch in September and it was absolutely fine.We have booked Monarch again for May as it was by far the cheapest .

Start gathering together lots of small items and wrap them up,doling one out every half hour

Stickers,colouring books,magnetic games etc : and gameboys are invaluable for older children.

Not sure about headphones,I think £1 each.Small children just love changing the channels

Of course they will sleep all the way back.Have a good time

[orlandobabe]

we used the same Monarch flights Kevin-and like you said-no problems with them.

Have they stopped the newcastle flights then?

[KevinT]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by orlandobabe
we used the same Monarch flights Kevin-and like you said-no problems with them.

Have they stopped the newcastle flights then?
[/quote]

Hi Alison,

I think they still do the Saturday flights from N/C. Just depends how the contracts work out I think. It was Monarch on Saturdays and Thomas Cook on Thurdays, but now the T. Cook flights are being changed to Excelair. What with airline changes and flight time changes, I'm getting dizzy!![msnscared] (sorry - dizzier!!)
At least Monarch have now dismantled their old DC10 which was poor.
Some friends of ours booked premier seats with Monarch and were only told at the airport that The DC10 was being used and it didn't have any premier seats.
Got my countdown clock set for May - - Yahhhhooooooo!![clap]

[DiannaUK]

We're flying with Monarch for the first time when we go to Windwood Bay on 14 May, but price was our main consideration as apart from this, we feel, all charter flights seem pretty much the same. We much prefer charter because they fly into Sanford, which has a much simplier baggage collection system and although further away from things, the fact that you get through the airport much quicker means you save time overall.

Di.

[luckylady]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by DiannaUK
We're flying with Monarch for the first time when we go to Windwood Bay on 14 May, but price was our main consideration as apart from this, we feel, all charter flights seem pretty much the same. We much prefer charter because they fly into Sanford, which has a much simplier baggage collection system and although further away from things, the fact that you get through the airport much quicker means you save time overall.

Di.
[/quote]
We are a week earlier on 7th May from Gatwick
Price was one of the factors the other was airport
After the nightmare at Olando International at Christmas
Sanford was a major factor
But if I had my time over again I would try Airlingus from Dublin
After reading a posting on another thread
I checked it out would have been a better deal
Maybe nex time
Barbara

[domster]

We have used them a few times before. No problems.

They are as good as any other charter airline.

DOM