Monarch Airlines

[airforced]

Just a quick note to congratulate Monarch on getting their LBA operation off to a good start. Their new A320s (went out on AA and back on AB) operated to time and their legroom seats were very comfortable and had acres of space even when the seat in front was reclined. What is more the premium for those seats was very reasonable when compared with what I was charged last year by Jet2. The flights themselves were quite a bit cheaper than Jet2 wanted for similar dates so all in all a good do all round.

On board pre-booked meals were inexpensive and perfectly acceptable so much so that I wouldn't have any qualms about ordering and enjoying them when I next fly with Monarch. The flight out was pretty full but there were more empty seats on the flight back which points in my view to Monarch needing to do more to raise public awareness of their LBA operation.

My only suggestion for improvement would be to schedule the Crete flights earlier in the day for S14 to allow time for onward travel as Crete is a large island and getting into HER after 9pm is less than ideal.

 

[lbaspotter]

Monarch have been messing with the winter 2013/14 Leeds - Munich schedule. The route was due to restart as from November, Friday 1st but will now not recommence operation until the start of the ski season which is around December, Friday 13th. The good news is that it will remain operated 2x weekly.

 

[752]

I think they have been chopping and changing the Munich route from all off their bases, which Winter 13 destinations will Monarch offer?

 

[ChurchFenton]

I have also just flown on ZBAA and ZBAB having just returned from a trip to Rome. Unlike Airforced, I was sat in a standard legroom seat, which to be quite frank had woeful legroom. And don't even get me started on if the person in front decided to recline! I'm rarely one to worry too much on this sort of thing, as there are many people taller than myself, but the seat pitch was just plain awful. Next time, Jet2, or bite the bullet with paying for extra legroom on Monarch if on a longer flight.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Does any body know when monarch will release their summer 2014 schedule? I know Jet2 are doing it in stages, Thomson and Thomas cook have done all theirs Monarch seem to be the only ones who are lacking behind? Of course Ryanair and Easyjet just announce one season ahead.

 

[melb]

would anyone like to hazard a guess as to whether Monarch might start operating flights to Malaga?

 

[White Heather]

A possibility for summer 2014 I would think.

 

[lbaspotter]

Monarch have today released summer 2014 flights for sale from Leeds/Bradford. Looks like there is no extra 3rd based aircraft or new routes as yet confirmed. But theses could be added at a later date.
It looks as though they are going to drop the Rome route with the slots been filled with extra flights to Barcelona and Palma.

Antalya = remains 2x weekly, SUN & THU
Barcelona = Increases from 2x to 4x weekly, MON, WED, FRI & SUN
Bodrum = Remains 2x weekly, MON & FRI
Dalaman = Remains 2x weekly, TUE & SAT
Faro = Remains 3x weekly, TUE, THU & SAT
Crete (Heraklion) = Remains 2x weekly, WED & SAT
Lanzarote (Arrecife) = Remains 2x weekly, MON & THU
Larnaca (Cyprus) = Remains 2x weekly, WED & SUN
Majorca (Palma) = Increases from 4x to 5x weekly, TUE, WED, THU, SAT & SUN
Menorca (Mahon) = Remains 2x weekly, MON & FRI
Tenerife (South) = Remains 2x weekly, TUE & FRI

 

[752]

I'm surprised at Barcelona having x2 more flights, however good news for Palma, I would hope for some new routes and something to replace the Munich flights.

 

[lbia]

That's a bit disappointing. I thought they might have added a few others. I had them down for operating one or two flights a week to Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Rhodes, Sharm, Corfu etc etc.

I'd be really interested to know how much Thomas Cook allocations support the Monarch flights. Jet2 usually cap the allocations at 30 on their flights but I think the figure will be around the 100 mark for Monarch. The stand alone routes like Munich, Grenoble, Rome and Barcelona have not had any tour operator backing and are the ones that have had some pretty shocking load factors, very surprised to see Barcelona get an increase with regular loads of less than 50%.

I guess the ones that have the tour operator backing will always be popular as Monarch don't actually have to sell the seats themselves. I can't see the likes of Malaga or Alicante operating from Leeds as the market is well catered for already with at least 3-4 daily flights to each during the summer.

 

[EX9]

Most flights are in the region of 30-50 TCX bookings. Some others are in the 70's and others just over 20.

 

[752]

Just out of interest, could Monarch operate Sharm with their A320's? I know Easyjet do from Manchester but they have a larger runway. It would be great to see Sharm back from 2014. My hopes are for a x3 weekly Alicante.

 

[Malaga]

Hi all,

This has been discussed on previous occasions and the general consensus of opinion is that Cyprus is the limit for the 320.

Regards

Malaga

 

[dmrodgers]

Hi All

Does anyone know if Monarch are still operating a Munich flight on Wednesdays chartered to Inghams. I'm looking to visit Austria in June and on the Inghams website they are selling holidays departing on Wednesdays from Leeds to Munich. When I spoke to a representative today he said the flight was still operating in June yet I could see no reference to it on the LBA website today. I thought Monarch had cancelled all flight to Munich from all UK airport till November 2013, or was this just sales spin by Inghams to get one to book and then say the flight has been transferred to another airline and airport. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[lbaspotter]

Hi All

Does anyone know if Monarch are still operating a Munich flight on Wednesdays chartered to Inghams. I'm looking to visit Austria in June and on the Inghams website they are selling holidays departing on Wednesdays from Leeds to Munich. When I spoke to a representative today he said the flight was still operating in June yet I could see no reference to it on the LBA website today. I thought Monarch had cancelled all flight to Munich from all UK airport till November 2013, or was this just sales spin by Inghams to get one to book and then say the flight has been transferred to another airline and airport. Any help would be appreciated.

I think it’s safe to say that someone is telling you porkies dmrodgers . The Leeds - Munich route is defintley not operating on Wednesday in June as you quite rightly already know Monarch dropped all UK routes to Munich for the summer season. The direct Leeds - Munich flights don't recommence operation until mid December for the start of the winter 2013/14 ski season.

Seen as though its Inngham Holiday's who are involved in chartering Flybe to operate the weekly Saturday Innsbruck service from Leeds this summer on a Dash 8-Q400 I wouldn't be surprised if you got asked to be moved onto that flight or maybe offered the choice to fly direct from Manchester to Munich with Lufthansa instead.

Hope thats of help...

 

[dmrodgers]

Thanks lbaspotter, just as I thought, someone telling porkies to get sales commission at Inghams. No way am I going over the hill when flybe operate to Innsbruck on a Saturday.

 

[AZGAZORD]

We are trying out Monarch on Tuesday to Faro. Usually go Jet2 2-3 times a year. No gripes with jet2 but Monarch were cheaper on this occasion and I quite like the departure time half an hour earlier.
I presume check in desk for Monarch is Hall 'A' ?
Thanks

 

[LBA787]

We are trying out Monarch on Tuesday to Faro. Usually go Jet2 2-3 times a year. No gripes with jet2 but Monarch were cheaper on this occasion and I quite like the departure time half an hour earlier.
I presume check in desk for Monarch is Hall 'A' ?
Thanks

You presume right AZGAZORD.

Have a nice flight.

:crazy:

 

[AZGAZORD]

Thanks LBA787. Appreciate it.

 

[lbaspotter]

Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited, (MAEL) have opened an aircraft line maintenance base at LBA.

Source: http://www.monarchaircraftengineering.com/News/Details/114

New line stations open in the UK

Award winning, independent aircraft maintenance provider, Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited, (MAEL) is pleased to announce the expansion of its line maintenance stations within the UK.

With immediate effect, MAEL has opened two permanent all year round stations at East Midlands and Leeds Bradford airports providing technical handling maintenance up to and including line A Checks for Monarch Airlines and third party customers.

Commenting on this expansion, Derek Gibson, Maintenance and Operations Director for MAEL said, “In expanding our line maintenance services to these bases, MAEL can support new and existing customers. These locations will complement our existing UK line maintenance services and are in line with our strategic plan to grow and attract new business.”