Monarch Airlines

[Jon Dempsey]

Flew out on ZB974 this afternoon. The airport wasn't too busy, but they need to sort out the drop off/roadworks, pronto.

 

[Jerry]

Could Monarch expand at BHX and other airport's in the future as they've ordered an extra 15 MAX 8s.
http://blog.monarch.co.uk/boeing-mo...nd-new-engineering-joint-venture-partnership/

 

[Ray Finkle]

Good news for Monarch.

With their recent shift more towards city destinations the MAX 8 could be perfect for them

 

[jfy1999]

I think it might technically make transatlantic flights possible for them too...if they ever become interested in long haul again...

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've seen it rumoured that they may also hold on to a few A321's for the higher demand destinations, nothing official in that though.

45 aircraft is 10 more than they have at the moment so it will be interesting to see if existing bases are to be grown or whether there will be any new airports.

Just for info S18 should be released early next month, if not a little sooner.

 

[Jerry]

Fingers crossed for new airports! If Monarch do keep some A321s then maybe they'll keep them at Gatwick where they are more slot restrained.

 

[Ray Finkle]

This one is well overdue...

22/06/17

15:10 ZB5824 Valencia (VLC) Monarch Airlines 320 Scheduled

 

[thunderchild]

Monarch have got quite an impressive list of routes from BHX now, somewhat reminiscent of what EasyJet do at other airports. Hopefully Summer 18 will bring a few more.

 

[Bhx_fifteen]

I thought the same. I remember the days when they only operated a few schedule routes to Spain, with a number of charter flights to holiday destinations. It's great seeing places like Rome, Stockholm and Lisbon on the departure boards (with cities like Zagreb hopefully to follow for 2018), in addition to the usual sun destinations you'd expect. They've really come over leaps and bounds in recent years, and after many different attempts at repositioning themselves in the market, they seem to have found what works for them - clearly shown by their commitment to an extra 15 737 MAXs. Can't wait for those aircraft to replace their ageing and mixed seating A320/A321s with a fleet of brand new Boeing aircraft with consistent cabins and the beautiful Boeing sky interior aw well as modern sculpted sidewalls. Loving their current branding and offering and where they're headed in the future. Good luck Monarch!

 

[Ray Finkle]

I hope that the MAX is a big success for them, maybe it's economics will help make their shift towards city routes even more viable.

After a little blip I think Monarch are playing it great at the moment. They seem to realise that Jet2 Holidays are a very strong brand in the sunshine market and, although Monarch are still a major player to these destinations, their extra capacity now looks to be going towards markets unserved or under served. They also seem to choose their battles wisely, the perfect example being Madrid which they have kept summer only rather than trying to fight over the winter scraps with Ryanair and Iberia on the route. Even when they do have battles they don't seem afraid, the evidence being increases in capacity in reaction to the arrival of Norwegian and Vueling.

I really hope that they continue to go from strength to strength. When you read the comments on the Ryanair thread about how they now seem to purposely separate groups that haven't booked seats in advance it makes you grateful that we have Monarch as an alternative. Everybody has a choice but I've booked two flights with Monarch this year even though Ryanair were cheaper.

Like everyone else I'm hoping for something more for S18

 

[Ray Finkle]

The press release on the Monarch website with what surely must be a contender for cake of the week


Monarch’s new summer routes take off from Birmingham Airport

Monarch, a leading low cost airline and holiday company, this week celebrates the launch of four new routes from Birmingham Airport. The airline will now fly to Valencia in Spain, Split in Croatia, Naples in Italy and Rhodes in Greece. Monarch is the only airline to fly to Split and Valencia from Birmingham with both destinations new to the summer 2017 network and holidays are also on sale to all of these destinations.

Monarch is also welcoming a Boeing 737 NG aircraft to its fleet at Birmingham. The aircraft’s first flight will be on the 29 June to Rome. Whilst at Birmingham it will also be a used for flight crew training purposes ahead of the delivery of the first brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft arriving in April 2018.

Flights to Valencia launched today, Thursday 22 June, and will operate twice a week on a Thursday and Saturday. Flights to Rhodes (once a week on a Wednesday) launched yesterday, 21 June, and tomorrow, 23 June, will see the new flights departing to Naples (on a Monday and Friday). The new destination of Split sees flights take-off on Sunday 25 June and will operate twice a week on Tuesday and Sunday.

This week’s inaugural flights follow on from the launch of Stockholm and Porto in April with the airline now flying to both destinations three times a week.

Customers on the Valencia flight were treated to a glass of bubbly and slice of Paella themed cake to celebrate the inaugural flight to Valencia. Monarch’s Chief Commercial Officer Ian Chambers was joined by David Winstanley, Birmingham Airport’s Chief Operating Officer at check-in with customers excited to head to the Spanish city.

Ian Chambers, Chief Commercial Officer at Monarch said: “We are delighted to add even more flights and holidays to four new destinations to our Birmingham programme for summer 2017. These new routes join Porto and Stockholm which we launched earlier in the year. Monarch is the only airline to fly to both Split and Valencia from Birmingham Airport.

“We’re really pleased to be flying a greatly expanded programme from Birmingham for the summer with more city and beach destinations. It’s also really exciting to welcome the Boeing 737 NG aircraft to the fleet for the busy summer schedule ahead of the first of our new 737 Max 8 aircraft arriving in April next year.”

David Winstanley, Chief Operating Officer at Birmingham Airport, said: “Monarch offers a fantastic selection of popular European routes to our passengers from Birmingham Airport. It’s great to see them expanding this choice further for our summer holidaymakers.

“Valencia, Split, Naples and Rhodes are all steeped in history as well as being popular coastal destinations with fabulous ports and beaches. We are confident these will be very successful routes.”

Monarch is the only airline operating summer flights to Valencia from Birmingham Airport twice a week with fares, including taxes, starting from £39 one way (£60 return). Two night holidays start from £125 per person.

Again, the only airline operating summer flights to Split from Birmingham Airport, Monarch will operate twice a week with fares, including taxes, starting from £39 one way (£65 return). Five night holidays start from £399 per person.

Summer flights to Naples from Birmingham Airport twice a week with fares, including taxes, starting from £39 one way (£88 return). Seven night holidays start from £279 per person and summer flights to Rhodes from Birmingham Airport on a Wednesday with fares, including taxes, starting from £52 one way (£80 return). Seven night holidays start from £225 per person.

For more information or to book please visit www.monarch.co.uk

http://blog.monarch.co.uk/monarch’s-new-summer-routes-take-off-from-birmingham-airport/

 

[thunderchild]

Sudden urge for Paella!

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Sudden urge for Paella!

That one may not taste quite how you remember it

Kevin

 

[Barry Beeth]

It looks rubbery!
I'm here all week...

 

[Kevin Farnell]

It looks rubbery!

Rubbery jubbery!

Ahem, sorry I digress

Kevin

 

[Ray Finkle]

Monarch have an impressive 20 departures tomorrow. Such a great range of destinations too

06:10 ZB402 Faro
06:15 ZB452 Lanzarote
06:15 ZB932 Tenerife
06:15 ZB902 Dalaman
06:30 ZB1162 Larnaca
07:00 ZB970 Malaga
07:05 ZB492 Alicante
07:35 ZB5872 Preveza
08:20 ZB954 Palma
14:50 ZB5822 Stockholm
15:05 ZB486 Lisbon
15:15 ZB994 Madrid
15:15 ZB5408 Rome
16:35 ZB966 Barcelona
16:40 ZB5396 Porto
16:40 ZB446 Gibraltar
16:45 ZB974 Malaga
17:20 ZB5868 Split
18:05 ZB5484 Venice
22:55 ZB418 Ibiza

Tomorrow also sees the long awaited return of Split. Can anyone remember when it was last served? I'm sure that we used to have both Monarch and Thomson on the route?

 

[Karl C]

It wasn't that long ago that BHX had Split with Monarch and I think Flybe. I may be wrong about Flybe, just had a flashback of them operating the route. Would think 2012-2013ish??

 

[thunderchild]

That sounds about right. IIRC they also served Bordeaux at the same time which was dropped along with Split.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Monarch have an impressive 20 departures tomorrow. Such a great range of destinations too
06:10 ZB402 Faro
06:15 ZB452 Lanzarote
06:15 ZB932 Tenerife
06:15 ZB902 Dalaman
06:30 ZB1162 Larnaca
07:00 ZB970 Malaga
07:05 ZB492 Alicante
07:35 ZB5872 Preveza
08:20 ZB954 Palma

14:50 ZB5822 Stockholm
15:05 ZB486 Lisbon
15:15 ZB994 Madrid
15:15 ZB5408 Rome
16:35 ZB966 Barcelona
16:40 ZB5396 Porto
16:40 ZB446 Gibraltar
16:45 ZB974 Malaga
17:20 ZB5868 Split
18:05 ZB5484 Venice
22:55 ZB418 Ibiza

If you split it into 1st wave and 2nd wave, i'd say the 1st wave sees the predictable bucket and spade routes which is to be expected by any carrier whilst the 2nd wave as you say has a nice mix of destinations from ARN in the east to LIS in the west and anything in-between.

 

[Brum X]

Monarch, A Great British Airline