I had a very good return journey to alicante from London Gatwick i had to return home earlyer than expected due to personal reasons so i ended up going for a week instead of two and had a different flight number on the way out to what i was expecting as i flew with Monarch Airlines:
LGW – ALC
18 December 2007
Monarch Airlines
Flight:ZB252
Airbus A321
Expected flight time: 2hrs 20 mins
Actual flight time: 2hrs 0 mins
Gatwick is a lovely airport and very easy to get to, i parked my car up in APH (about 15 minutes away from the airport) brilliant service, Gatwick seemed very busy even with the christmas getaway not officially started i was disappointed that they closed off the viewing gallery for a refurb as i was looking forward to it, so on to my flight and a lot of confusion among the airport since we were told there was a 2 hour delay (told by ground Star) because of a technical problems but they wernt told what, the delay ended up 15 minutes but i waited another 5 before boarding
a very pleasant flight was among us but slow boarding, there could do with a little more leg room but i have flown with them before and wasnt too bothered
the food on the plane was very good i only had a tea and twix as the meals were a little expensive
Landing was very bumpy since we seemed to have approached a little fast, was quick to exit the plane and had the bags in no time, the new terminal there isnt finished yet as you expect with the spanish its always manana manana went and found easily my hire car and had a brilliant holiday!
ALC – LGW
26 December (origanlly planned for 31st)
Monarch Airlines
Flight ZB299?
Airbus A321
Expected flight time: 2hrs 10 mins
Actual flight time: 1hr 50 mins
Arriving at the airport and dropping off the car and making my way to check in at Alicante, it seemed weired but i could see why that they had 2 flights with the same airline and the same route but just 5 mins apart, i was on one of them the other was ZB253 i found it strange that it was such and odd flight number, while checking in it seemed for ever but then i wouldnt have to sit around an airport that doesnt have that much to offer in terms of restuarants and shops, the flight was all ready and on time for once i must say as they always seem to arrive late when i return. Boarding the plane i saw ZB253 packed and almost fully boarded but it seemed there was many more people than on the one i was on, and i was right the plane i was on seemed half full and i had a nice 3 seats to myself. Taxiing was very smooth since we didnt have to que, taking off was a freaky 5 minutes for those who have a fear of flying since the lights in the cabin were on the blink and were flashing for about 2-3 mins twice between 5 minute intervals, about 2 minutes late the cabin crew apologised and said it happened on the outbound flight aswell! the rest of the flight was a breeze and the crew were very efficient and pleasant as they always are
Landing was very smooth and matched the mood as most looked exhausted and it was a very calm atmosphere, taxiing to the gate and waitng for about 2 mins to open the doors i was the last off as i always wait since i dont see the point in rushing because you’ve still got to wait for your bags and go through passport control! i was one of the last to collect my bag and pick up my car when anyones mood would have changed if they knew what APH Gatwick did to my car! – They added 20 miles to the clock, the engine isnt right since the person parking it must have put it up to max revs before changing gear and scraching my car and smashing my back light!
Monarch Airlines:
Cabin Crew [10/10]
Punctuality [6/10]
Cleanlyness [9/10]
Food and drinks [9/10]
Overall [9/10]
As for APH Gatwick my message to you is never park with them because they ruin your car that in their terms and conditions say they wont!
By: cloud_9 - 16th January 2008 at 05:03
As an experienced traveller with a moderate level of understanding as to how things work being bulls****d by airport staff annoys me much more than being told what the problem is, believe me! 😀
Paul
I agree with you in part PMN, but surely some reason or information about a delay is better than no information or reason at all. The thing that annoys me most is when an airline decides to provide information at the scheduled time of departure, and then it drags on and on and on…until eventually it is a 3/4/5 and sometimes a 6hr delay – not a great start to anyones trip!
By: Flying-forever - 13th January 2008 at 15:27
[QUOTE=LGKR;1203154]Nice report there, I’m a fan of Monarch’s service also.
Yes im a fan of monarch there a good decent airline but during the flights with them they do slack on the odd thing
By: LGKR - 11th January 2008 at 13:21
Nice report there, I’m a fan of Monarch’s service also.
When it comes to technical problems with an aircraft at a gate as a PSA i never tell the passenger what the exact problem is as it is simpley nothing to do with me its not what i get payed to do, im just there to board them and take care of the passengers needs. In my experience telling a passenger the exact problem causes more harm than good!
So you arn’t paid to keep passengers informed? Rubbish. Then again it is Swissport at Newcastle… :rolleyes:
By: LBARULES - 5th January 2008 at 19:54
Noted ;).
By: PMN - 5th January 2008 at 17:54
Exactly mate, but the problem we have is that is all we get told, so that is all the staff can tell you.
In understand that mate, but note the use of the word ‘bulls****d’. 🙂
Paul
By: LBARULES - 5th January 2008 at 17:14
How many times have we been waiting for a flight at LBA or DUB and had that? Then again, you have to deal with that every day. At least I don’t have to worry about late inbounds at work (unless my flight is delayed of course, in which case I simply go back to the bar! 🙂 )
A nice albeit brief report, Flying-forever. Interesting what you said about the car park. I’ve always had my doubts about those places! Glad you had a good holiday though!
Paul
Exactly mate, but the problem we have is that is all we get told, so that is all the staff can tell you. I don’t have much of a problem either, I just have a longer break! 😀
By: PMN - 5th January 2008 at 16:59
When it comes to technical problems with an aircraft at a gate as a PSA i never tell the passenger what the exact problem is as it is simpley nothing to do with me its not what i get payed to do, im just there to board them and take care of the passengers needs. In my experience telling a passenger the exact problem causes more harm than good!
As an experienced traveller with a moderate level of understanding as to how things work being bulls****d by airport staff annoys me much more than being told what the problem is, believe me! 😀
Paul
By: lukeylad - 5th January 2008 at 16:45
Nice report there.
When it comes to technical problems with an aircraft at a gate as a PSA i never tell the passenger what the exact problem is as it is simpley nothing to do with me its not what i get payed to do, im just there to board them and take care of the passengers needs. In my experience telling a passenger the exact problem causes more harm than good!
By: PMN - 5th January 2008 at 14:19
delay code ’93’, which many will know simply means late inbound
How many times have we been waiting for a flight at LBA or DUB and had that? Then again, you have to deal with that every day. At least I don’t have to worry about late inbounds at work (unless my flight is delayed of course, in which case I simply go back to the bar! 🙂 )
A nice albeit brief report, Flying-forever. Interesting what you said about the car park. I’ve always had my doubts about those places! Glad you had a good holiday though!
Paul
By: LBARULES - 5th January 2008 at 14:08
I totally agree with that. Pax are always asking exactly what is wrong with the a/c, and quite frankly we haven’t got a clue. As for delay reasons, with Ryanair especially, all we ever get is delay code ’93’, which many will know simply means late inbound so we haven’t got a clue what has caused the delay out of DUB/SNN!
By: cloud_9 - 5th January 2008 at 11:14
…so on to my flight and a lot of confusion among the airport since we were told there was a 2 hour delay (told by ground Star) because of a technical problems but they wernt told what,…
Always nice to see the company I work mentioned in someone’s post – thanks Flying-forever!
Unfortunatley, not being told what the cause of technical problems is usually the norm with most airlines…why do passengers need to know exactly what is wrong with the a/c? As long as its fixed and safe to fly that is all that should matter in my opinion.
Its also true that we do not get told what the problem is with the a/c, unless it is a really big problem and likely to be a loooong delay or worse (i.e HOTAC).
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December 31, 2007 at 6:44 pm