In March I am flying to Lisbon from London Gatwick Airport on Monarch Airlines. Has anyone ever flown this airline before? Are they reliable? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Hi ...
Well I've flown them a few times - are you doing the charter or schedule service?

Always found them very good.
Mark

Why not check them out at http://www.airlinequality.com/index.htm . The various recent comments have a consistency about them.

www.airlinequality.com/Forum/monarch.htm

We frequently use them on short flights.

Perfectly OK for a cheapo. Certainly wouldn't use them long-haul. But for flights that last as long as a morning commute, Monarch's - well about as comfortable and reliable as the train you'd do the commute on. Hardly the highest praise, but Monarch do charge for a 1200 mile flight roughly what most train companies do for a 70 mile trip into town.

Comparable with Ryanair, except that there's a rather naff, Essex Girly, quality to the service and the flight staff themselves

What, white stilettos and dancing round the handbags in the aisles, while shouting drunkenly "Leave it, he's not worth it!"..?!

i'm all for Essex girl stewardesses - it beats the usual movie for entertainment.

Flanner, do let the rest of us out here in the Colonies and all those other places Britain was forced to give up know what an Essex Girlie" is...please...or is this the latest reincarnation of the former PM?

I believe the NY equivalent is Jersey Girl. My previous post outlines some of the stereotypes flanner's referring to.

If you mean Mrs T... the mind boggles!

In fairness, Monarch flight attendants (of either sex) aren't perfect examples of Essex Girls, since:
- they're sober
- their clothes are moderately tasteful
- they (the clothes) fit properly
- and therefore their most famous characteristc (
Google "Essex Girl jokes" and you'll learn all) - not really suitable for full disclosure on a family bulletin board like this - doesn't quite apply.