Monarch Airlines

[lbia]

Two Greek islands, both begining with a 'K' are next on the list for a different airline...

Looking at the Monarch schedule, I'm surprised at the length of the turnarounds at LBA. A 40-45 minute turnaround seems very tight for an A320 considering there will need to be a crew change at LBA.

Jet2 have a minimum turnaround of 40 minutes for a 737-300 with a crew change and more in comparison, Thomas Cook have a minimum 1 hour turnaround with a crew change for an A320.

 

[lbaspotter]

Two Greek islands, both begining with a 'K' are next on the list for a different airline...

Well seen its you who has posted that lbia I'm guessing it has to be Jet2 and the 2 Greek Islands in question have surely got to be Kos and Kefalonia?

Helps Jet2 with Ryanair pulling out of Kos and its looking like Thomas Cook wont be returning back there anytime soon. Question is! Have the Boeing 737-300's got the legs to get to both Kos & Kefalonia direct from LBA on a hot summers day?

 

[adam]

Just been on monarch website to book a city break to Rome and you cant get a package with flights from Leeds, same with Majorca :s_mad

 

[Galaxy]

Been away so playing catch-up, but having seen the Monarch routes, 1. I'm very happy with year-round Munich, 2. I'm disappointed that these 'new' routes are already being served from LBA, and 3. Concerned that this will further put Jet2's nose out of joint...I won't go any further on that point in this thread as it would be off-topic but they are my immediate reactions.

 

[lbaspotter]

I understand that Leeds/Bradford Airport will become the no1 diversion option for all Manchester based Monarch Airlines flights once they start operations in December where as Manchester will be the first option for a Leeds flight to divert to.
Currently Monarch flights would normally divert into Liverpool, but i guess it make more sense to divert into an operational base rather than into a non based airport?

 

[LBA787]

Does this include the A300/330's? Would fire cover not be a problem?

 

[Aviador]

Does this include the A300/330's? Would fire cover not be a problem?

Good point and I don't know the answer but I recall earlier on in the year a Monarch Airlines A330 apparently asked ATC if they could divert into LBA because of weather at Manchester and I understand it was refused permission by ASU because the wide bodied stands 20 and 23 were occupied.

In the past some wide bodied aircraft have diverted into LBA, the largest I remember was a Wardair 747 that diverted into LBA from Newcastle because of bad weather there. I believe an aircraft can land at any airfield in an emergency but I'm not sure what the rules stipulate for weather diversions. I imagine the airport fire service would need to phone staff members and request they come into work. They could also request cover from a local fire station if necessary. Hopefully somebody will know the answer?

 

[752]

So happy! just managed to book me and 8 friends (hopefully more eventually) on Monarch airlines to Palma, I hope these flights are proving popular! roll on July!

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Setting up a base with 2 aircraft and crew for that, is very expensive so what are we expecting to happen for Winter 2013/14. I know its a long way ahead, and probably won't even hear anything for at least six months but it's always nice to have it confirmed that we'll see a little growth.
I'd expect
- Munich
- Grenoble
- Tenerife (2 weekly)
- Lanzarote
- Malaga?
- Rome?

 

[LUFC Jonno]

What about Fuerteventura, Faro, Alicante and Innsbruck?

 

[tleeds]

Innsbruck will one to watch I say! They operate mainly B757's into there over the Winter months (Nov-April). Do they do flights during the Summer like Thomson/Thomas Cook as well does anyone know..?

They may reduce it down to one aircraft, on a similar set-up as Ryanair and then have the odd W route.. who knows..?

 

[LBA787]

Hasn't Monarch signed a 10 year deal with LBA?

I'm expecting at least 1 A320 with crew based for winter 13/14. You dont spend a hell of a lot setting up a new a/c and crew base not to use it through the winter.

Winter Sun: (AGP,ALC,ACE,TFS,FUE,LPA,SSH)
Ski: (CMF,GVA,TRN,INN,SZG,GNB)

Im not saying all theses routes would be operated together, but certainly a selection could work very well with 7-10 flights a week.

 

[lbaspotter]

Well we already know that Munich is a year round route, But I have just noticed on the Monarch Facebook page today that they are saying the Barcelona route is also a year round route from Leeds-Bradford

 

[LBA787]

Ah yes i forgot about MUC. BCN is intersting with jet2 and ryanair on the route, a bit too much capacity in winter i think but you never know!?

I really think Monarch will do well from LBA. There are still current routes underserved from here not to mention a mass of future untapped markets.

I'm flying with a friend to PMI in october, MON were £300+ cheaper than jet2! I know its from manchester but next year it wont be... This can only be good for the customers at leeds, lower prices for all soon!

 

[Jordan-34092]

Monarch are a good airline, we have flown with them a few times, you can't knock them, the only thing they need to do is update those hideous seats in there aircraft the material horrible and they ain't half uncomfy.

I know we been going on about TOM operating to destinations like Orlando, but what about Monarch, they have the aircraft to do it, the A330 would be able to operate from LBA after all it does have better performance than the B767

 

[752]

Monarch do offer Florida flights from Cardiff, I pressume direct and Cardiff does have a similar size runway to LBA, so I dont see why not

 

[tleeds]

It all boils down to logistics etc. Yes the A330 would be a great aircraft for such an Orlando route, but I think an issue was mentioned before was the Take-Off Performance, with the Chevin, for a fully loaded aircraft on day's when the weather isn't the best it can be for aircraft performances!

The fact that the aircraft would have to be parked at the end of the ramp on stands 20 and 23, would be an issue, getting 250+ passengers over there!

 

[Aviador]

The A330 would be a perfect aircraft for the job. The aircraft has excellent landing and take-off performance characteristics and it would in most cases be able to go direct, as would the 767-200, the new variants Boeing 787 & Airbus A350.

Part of the problem Leeds has had in the past has been the ability to get the right airline with the right equipment to do the job. There will always be limitations at Leeds but these aircraft offer Leeds it's best chance of getting destinations such Orlando.

Monarch Airlines has said it wishes to concentrate on short-haul scheduled routes. Only last year it cancelled orders for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner so it doesn't look hopeful that Monarch would consider Orlando from LBA.

Have a peep at the main Monarch thread: topic600-30.html

 

[LBA787]

the only thing they need to do is update those hideous seats in there aircraft the material horrible and they ain't half uncomfy.

I know monarch have at great expence just replaced all their old catering carts for new lightweight ones. They will obviously see the advantages of this, as fuel saving has become a priority for all airlines.

New seats will come along eventually for the same reason. I hope when they do it they go down the jet2 route. I find their seats/legroom very good for a low cost airline.

 

[Bigman]

The latest local magazine has got a list of Monarch flights for next Summer, and these seem to be the Thomson flights, eg Sunday arrival at 13:50 MON3673 from Enfidha. This seems to back up the rumour that Monarch will be operating the Thomson flights instead of one of their own 737's. This would also mean that there could be 3 Monarch's on the ground at the same time at certain times through the week.