hi can anyone explain to me why monarch are charging nearly £200 more for booking flight for 3 weeks duration rather than 2? seems a big difference both only 1 flight out 1 flight back

donnablue, you will need to provide more information of the flight (i.e. flight dates, times, departure and arrival airport) for anyone to be able to answer this properly

donnablue,

As partyboy_uk mentions, the time of year makes a big difference. For example, are you looking around the christmas or new year period? Does 3 weeks fall inside a peak period and 2 weeks doesn't? ie is there a greater demand with the other date? As it's a charter flight, the majority of passengers book a package holiday with a return flight either 7 or 14 days after departure. With a 3 week flight that isn't standard, they have to make provision for spare seats at often peak periods. Because you're on a 3 week cycle rather than the standard 7 or 14 days, it's difficult to explain, but longer durations often have a premium attached to them to ensure seats on the return leg. Have you looked at alternative flights with scheduled operators to compare prices? If you're looking at booking a single flight out followed by a single flight back, that often increases the price rather than booking a return ticket.

Darren

hi what it is 2 of our party are travelling out to dalaman 26/07/10 then 7 us us are going 02/08/10 but we're all wanting to travel back on the same flight on 16/08/10 hope this makes things clearer

As suspected, all of your flights fall within the peak summer season booking period and as Dazbo has pointed out a 3 week duration on a charter flight will carry a higher premium to accommodate for the mis-matched pairing of seats (i.e. not a 7/14 day duration) for those 2 people travelling a week earlier. Unfortunately, deals are not to be had when trying to make sure that people who have travelled out separately return on the same flight.

Many airlines operate to foreign airports on the same day of the week and you may want to consider looking at prices with not just one airline but all of them before you make a decision on whether it is so important for those 2 people to travel back on the same flight. My advice is not to limit your booking options at that time of the year because not only will you find it difficult but rather expensive. The more flexible you can be with this option the better prices you will find.

I would also point out that you will find this kind of pricing is not something limited to Monarch. You may find seats solely of a 3 week duration cheaper elsewhere, but when combined with seats of a 2 week duration alongside it is still cheaper to chose to fly with Monarch. Have you already booked?

Hi -

I'm travelling with Monarch for the first time tomorrow; MON349 to Sanford International Orlando from London Gatwick. Does anyone know what kind of entertainment can I expect on board for the kids? Will they have individual TVs?

Thanks

shyamt,

Welcome to the forum! IFE (or "in-flight entertainment" for those not familiar with this abbreviation) on Monarch's A330 is provided by means of a drop down screen over the centre row of seats in the standard cabin and seat back TV's in the premimum cabin.

For information on what entertainment is being shown through July and August please click here where you can find a listing of films being shown for both outbound and return flights.

thanks for the information partyboy.no we havent booked yet, think we'll have to check out all the options.

hi flying mon7094/5 lgw-lxr-lgw on 13/7/09 dazbo told me a few weeksago that the aircraft is a viking airline subchartered by monarch just wondering if there is any ife on this flight. thanks

tabbycat,

Refer back to my last post where I posted links to the aircraft they're currently using (Viking 738 still on the last flight) and our What Aircraft? guide that has all the information you're looking for.

Darren

Any news about strike action by Monarch. Due to fly with them at the end of July

Yes, there is some info today which suggests that Monarch and the Unite union have reached an agreement, which has been accepted by staff.

David

Thanks for the info. That is good news for all concerned.

There is now a brief statement on the Monarch website confirming agreement and overwhelming acceptance of proposals ... click here

David

well at least we can relax now, thanks for posting it up !

hi all a little early but we have booked holiday to goa through thomas cook from gatwick in january 2010 and flying with monach.
a few questions how much leg room is on these flights,we booked as a party of 6 but if 2 of us want to upgrade to premium will this be ok and how much is it.or how much is just extra leg room seats and extra baggage allowance cos 15kg is not a lot.
thanks in advance mike

madasharley,

Aircraft information is posted on our What Aircraft? guide. Seat pitch is 30". You'll have to talk to your travel agent about upgrading to premium, but I can't see why two on your booking can't upgrade. It's normally around £200 return. Extra legroom seating is £70 return. You'll find more information on Monarchs website.

Darren

thanks darren will check it out

Monarch extends online check-in

Online check-in with Monarch is being extended to passengers travelling on scheduled flights from overseas airports.

Check-in online can be used by passengers with pre-allocated seats using scheduled flights from Alicante, Barcelona, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Menorca, Murcia and Tenerife.

The service is available between seven days and 4.5 hours prior to departure.

It is designed to help cut time spent at the airport and to ensure that seating on flights is allocated in advance.

Passengers using online check-in and travelling with hand-baggage only can go directly to the departure gate on arrival at the airport.

Those with hold baggage have to take their bags to a fast bag drop desk, where they will be tagged as normal and sent to the aircraft.

Monarch scheduled service division managing director Liz Savage said: "We have seen overwhelming demand for online check-in from our UK bases, with up to 25% of scheduled passengers taking advantage of the service, so we are delighted to now offer it from our overseas airports as well.

"The introduction of overseas online check-in will speed up the check-in process for a large number of our passengers and reduce the queuing time spent at the airport when they are returning to the UK in addition to their outbound flight."

With permission from Travelmole