Monarch adds new flights to Canary Islands

Monarch Airlines will launch new services to two popular destinations in the Canary Islands this winter, servicing the routes from four UK airports.

The low-cost carrier will be operating flights to Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura from London Gatwick, London Luton, Birmingham and Manchester airports.

Monarch hails record sales for new Cyprus link

Monarch Airlines is claiming that its new link between Birmingham Airport and the Cypriot resort of Larnaca has become its fastest selling service ever.

The low-cost carrier revealed that half of the 22,000 seats made available for the summer service have already been sold, despite the first flight taking off just yesterday (March 29).

Monarch criticises Heathrow plans

Monarch Airlines has "denounced" the government's verdict to allow the construction of a third runway at London Heathrow Airport.

The British regional airline suggested that the expansion, which would increase flights at the airport by at least 125,000 annually, will have significant environmental impacts and a "detrimental impact" on citizens of west London, The Telegraph has reported.

Monarch announces Volos schedule

Monarch Airlines has announced that it will begin to operate services between the UK and the Greek city of Volos this summer.

The regional airline, which is based in Luton, disclosed that it will begin to offer weekly flights from London Gatwick Airport and Manchester Airport to the Greek port every Friday between May 15 and October 9, 2009.

Monarch increases summer routes

Monarch Airlines has increased the number of services it will offer to the Canary and Balearic Islands during the summer months of 2009.

The low-cost carrier will provide further schedules to Tenerife, Lanzarote and Menorca from May 1 in response to a growth in the number of passengers booking flights early.

Services to the region can be purchased from as little as £52.99 one-way including all taxes and surcharges.

Monarch changes baggage rules

Monarch Airlines has introduced a new baggage allowance of 10kg for infants, in an effort to make travelling easier for families.

The Luton-based, British carrier is now allowing passengers booking with their children the additional 10kg on top of the present allowance of 20kg of hold baggage and 10kgs of hand luggage per person.

Monarch was also keen to explain that this further weight allocation does not include pushchairs, pram or car seats, which are still permitted for no extra cost.

Monarch to operate Caribbean service

Monarch Airlines has announced that it will operate a former XL Airways route from London Gatwick Airport to the Caribbean islands of Grenada and Tobago.

The British charter, which is based in Luton, will begin the weekly service from December 17, with flights departing Gatwick at 9.30am and arriving in Grenada at 2.50pm and Tobago at 4.40pm.

Monarch to take over from XL on Tobago route

Monarch is to take over operations of a transatlantic connection linking London to Tobago, The Tobago News reports.

XL Airways has been operating the route from London Gatwick to Crown Point, Tobago for the past four years, but is withdrawing the service at the end of November.

The carrier reportedly wants to focus on its more lucrative link to Miami, but travellers will be able to continue using the route from mid-December thanks to Monarch.

Monarch launches new service to Larnaca

Monarch is to open a new connection between Birmingham International Airport and the Cypriot city of Larnaca next spring.

From March 29, the low-cost carrier will begin operating the new connection twice-weekly on Wednesday and Sunday.

Announcing the new service, managing director Liz Savage said that it would be an important addition to the no-frills airline's timetable.

Monarch launches Gatwick winter schedule

Low-cost airline Monarch has unveiled its new winter schedule from London Gatwick.

The new timetable will see the carrier double its services to the Canary Islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote, as well as expanding services to numerous other Spanish hotspots.

During the winter season there will now be up to seven weekly flights to Tenerife, up to five to Lanzarote, and as many as 11 connections to both Alicante and Malaga.

Monarch resumes Manchester to Gibraltar service

Monarch has confirmed that it is re-launching its Manchester to Gibraltar service.

The low-cost airline will be running the flights every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from September 12, with one-way fares starting from £48 including all taxes and charges.

Winter schedule launched by Monarch

Monarch is hoping to appeal to travellers keen to book flights early as it announces its winter 2008/09 schedule for Birmingham and Luton airports.

The airline's winter schedule will see increased frequencies to the popular Canary Island destinations of Tenerife and Lanzarote from both UK airports, with additional flights to Alicante and Malaga from Birmingham.

Liz Savage, managing director of Monarch's scheduled services, said: "We're once again ahead of our rivals by putting our entire winter programme on sale before the summer months begin, and with more flights to the destinations our passengers want, we're giving them exactly what they want too.

Monarch offers spring flights sale

Book by midnight on February 26: Monarch is offering up to £30 off return flights booked for travel in March and April.

The airline is offering discounts on departures from London Gatwick, London Luton, Birmingham and Manchester airports, with routes featured in the offer including its new routes from Gatwick to both Larnaca and Menorca, both of which launch in March.

The sample fares below are inclusive of taxes and charges.

Monarch launches Manchester to Murcia service

Monarch has launched a new route between Manchester and Murcia, with a five-times weekly service to the Spanish destination.

The airline is set to increase frequency on the offering to a daily service over the summer season, but until then flights are available every day of the week expect Tuesday and Thursday.

Fares for the new route are available from £36.99 one-way, including taxes.

Monarch extends onboard recycling

Monarch has announced the extension of its onboard recycling service, which was initially launched on all flights operating into London Gatwick last October (see our story Monarch introduces in-flight recycling).

The airline will now operate the initiative on all services arriving into Birmingham, with all aluminium, plastic, glass and paper used on the flight stored for recycling after landing.

Items are placed into recycling bags by cabin crew to be dealt with by staff at the two airports, and Monarch's managing director, Tim Jeans, called on more airlines to follow their lead.

Fly Gatwick to Cyprus from £49

Monarch Airlines is launching three new routes this summer, from London Gatwick to Larnaca (Cyprus) and Menorca, and from Manchester to Larnaca.

The flights will begin in March and will cost from £49 one-way, including taxes and web booking discount.

The Gatwick to Larnaca service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; Gatwick to Menorca will fly on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and Manchester to Larnaca will fly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

As well as this, Monarch's recently launched London Luton to Larnaca route will be increased for the summer season, meaning that the airline will operate up to 14 scheduled flights per week to the east Mediterranean island.

Monarch to launch Manchester-Larnaca flights

Low-cost airline Monarch is to launch scheduled flights from Manchester to Cyprus next year.

Monarch's new Larnaca service will start on May 18 and operate on Monday, Tuesday (from July), Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with fares starting from £78 one way.

Liz Savage, Managing Director of flyMonarch.com, said: "We are delighted to be expanding our network to the Eastern Mediterranean with the launch of this service from Manchester, a market that has historically been dominated by the flag carriers and charter services. We have seen overwhelming demand for our service from London Luton to Larnaca, carrying 50,000 passengers on the route since its launch in March this year and have been inundated with requests from the public to introduce further services to Cyprus from our UK bases.

Monarch offers Christmas gift flight vouchers

Monarch is offering flight gift vouchers as potential Christmas presents through its website www.flymonarch.com.

The airline claims the vouchers represent the perfect gift choice for anyone who "has everything", with vouchers permitted for use as full or part payment for flights to any of Monarch's scheduled destinations.

Vouchers can be purchased for any amount, and any money left on a voucher after a flight has been purchased can be used to book other flights until the total credit has been used up.

Monarch launches self-service check-in at Birmingham

Budget airline Monarch has unveiled a new self-serve check-in system for passengers using Birmingham Airport.

The Common Use Self-Service kiosks (CUSS) are located in the main concourse of the airport's Terminal 1, and can be used by all passengers travelling on scheduled Monarch flights, reducing the amount of time it takes to check in.

Destinations offered from Birmingham by Monarch are Alicante, Almeria, Faro, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Mahon, Malaga, Murcia, Palma de Majorca, and Tenerife.

Monarch introduces in-flight recycling

Budget airline Monarch is introducing onboard recycling, whereby all the aluminium, plastic, glass and paper used during flights into Gatwick Airport will be recycled.

During flights, cabin crew members will place recyclable items such as drinks cans, wine bottles and newspapers into separate recycling bags. These will then be passed on to staff at Gatwick.

The move follows a successful trial and will make Monarch the first UK airline to offer a full recycling programme onboard flights. Destinations offered from Gatwick include Alicante, Faro, Ibiza, Lisbon, Malaga and Orlando Sanford.

Monarch increases winter sun flights for festive period

Low-cost airline Monarch is to increase services on a number of routes over the Christmas and New Year festive period.

In response to increased customer demand, between December 22 and January 2, 2008, the following routes will have increased services:

Birmingham to Alicante, Faro, Malaga, Murcia and Tenerife
London Gatwick to Alicante, Faro, Lanzarote, Malaga, Murcia and Tenerife
London Luton to Alicante, Gibraltar, Malaga and Tenerife
Manchester to Faro, Malaga and Tenerife

Monarch joins forces with PayPal

Monarch Airlines has officially launched its PayPal payment service to enable passengers buying tickets to pay for them directly through their online account.

In doing so it has become the first European airline to offer a PayPal option, and the service will ensure that in addition to debit and credit card transactions passengers have an option that is recognised by many online shoppers and retailers.

The service means passengers with a PayPal account can purchase their flights without having to re-enter their financial details, as all of this information is registered within a person's the PayPal account when first set up.

Monarch scraps Gatwick to Granada link

Monarch is scrapping its flights between London Gatwick and the Spanish city of Granada.

From November 4, the airline will no longer operate its direct service from the south London airport, citing problems with cost-effectiveness.

"Passenger demand on the Granada route has not met expectations and the aircraft used to operate these services will accommodate further route developments from Gatwick, which will be announced shortly," a spokesman for the airline said.

Monarch to offer PayPal option for tickets

Monarch Airlines has announced it will soon offer its customers the chance to pay for flights through the online payment service PayPal.

The airline will officially launch the service in the next couple of weeks, but it will become the first European operator to offer PayPal as a payment option, so those already registered will be able to pay for tickets directly through their account.

Monarch launches mobile check-in

© Monarch

Low-cost carrier Monarch Airlines has unveiled a new mobile phone-based flight update service.

Monarch Mobile will provide customers with free information about delays, check-in location and booking reference, four hours before departure time.

In the two to three hours before takeoff, passengers will receive a text message detailing up to two exclusive offers from the airline, and shortly before boarding, an SMS message will be dispatched reminding customers to head to the their departure gate.

Monarch baggage check-in fee to be introduced

Monarch has announced that it is to introduce a charge for passengers to check-in luggage on all its scheduled flights

For all flights departing after November 1 it will now cost £3.99 per bag each way to check-in online. Passengers who check-in their luggage at the desk will face a £10 fee per bag each way and the option of checking in over the telephone is also available, but this will cost £8 per bag each way.

Liz Savage, managing director of flyMonarch.com, said "It is now common practice amongst airlines to charge those customers who elect to take hold baggage and by doing this we will be able to keep our flight prices low.

August was record-breaking month for Monarch

Monarch has celebrated after carrying a record number of passengers last month.

A total of 459,056 passengers flew on scheduled flights with the low-fares airline in August, which is a year-on-year increase of almost 100,000 (27.8 per cent).

In addition, August was the third month in a row that Monarch has flown more than 400,000 people.

Monarch: London and Birmingham flights on sale

© Monarch

Monarch has launched its scheduled programme for summer 2008 from Gatwick, Birmingham and Luton airports.

Passengers are now able to book flights to various destinations, including daily flights from Luton to Gibraltar, twice-daily flights from Birmingham to Malaga and daily flights from Gatwick to Murcia.

The carrier has also increased the number of flights from Luton to Larnaca to six per week, after noting the huge demand for services to the destination since it was launched in March.

Monarch to work alongside Kenyan tour specialist

Monarch Airlines is to link up with Kenyan travel specialists African Safari Club to offer flights between Gatwick and Mombasa.

The Monarch service will offer one flight a week, starting in November, and will replace African Safari Club's in-house airline, meaning passengers will enjoy extended holiday durations, an increased baggage allowance as well as on board enhancements including extra legroom.

Monarch drops Aberdeen to Malaga route

Monarch has announced that it will be ending flights between Aberdeen and Malaga from the end of October, despite it proving popular among travellers.

The airline told the This is Aberdeen website that the cost of operating the route was too expensive as it was not able to base an aircraft at Aberdeen, meaning it had to transport crew from Manchester.

Monarch extends Manchester self-service check-in

Low-cost airline Monarch has increased the number of self-service check-in kiosks at Manchester airport, meaning that passengers can proceed to the departure lounge more quickly.

First introduced more than a year ago, the Common User Self Service (CUSS) units allow travellers to circumvent the traditional check-in desk. Now Monarch has re-sited the units and increased the number from three to five.

They are user-friendly and actually allow for quicker check-in than the usual manned desks. Passengers need to enter either their passport, credit card or e-ticket number, then follow the instructions on the console's touch-screen.

Monarch adds 'whole month view' in flight search

Monarch Airlines has made it easier for customers to look for cheap flights by adding a "month view" feature.

Following feedback indicating that passengers get frustrated with only being able to see a few days' worth of fares per search, the airline has added a "for whole month" tab that brings up a calendar view. Passengers entering their desired flight details can click on this button, and they will then see all the lowest fares for two weeks before and two weeks after their selected travel date.

The prices displayed exclude taxes and charges, but the "running total" box to the right of the calendar shows the total amount of the flights including these extras.

Monarch offers taxi transfer service

Monarch Airlines has announced a tie-up with Holiday Taxis to provide a service to transfer passengers between the airport and their hotel.

By clicking on the "Airport transfers" tab on the Monarch homepage, travellers are taken to a fully integrated section of the website where they can choose their destination airport and resort, from a selection of more than 3,000 around the world.

They can then choose from private taxi transfers, group minibuses and low-cost shuttle bus transfers.

Monarch and Hed Kandi take to the skies

Hed Kandi has linked up with Monarch Airlines to give an artistic makeover to one of its aircraft that will fly to the sunshine holiday resort of Ibiza this summer.

The hedonistic alliance between the dance music company and airline has seen a Boeing 757 emblazoned with the distinctive Hed Kandi graphics which will operate on a number of routes from the UK.

Jo Robertson, of Monarch Airlines, said: "It is a momentous day for Monarch as it is the first time the airline has displayed another brand's livery on an aircraft. The partnership with Hed Kandi to support the launch of services to Ibiza is hugely exciting for us and we look forward to welcoming Hed Kandi's partygoers on board our flights over the coming months."

Monarch introduces online check-in at Luton

Online check-in at Luton Airport was made available yesterday which means Monarch Airlines passengers can now check-in via the web between 24 and 4 hours before their scheduled departure time. And members of the airline's frequent flyer programme, Vantage Club, are able to check-in 36 hours before departure.

The facility is available for those travellers with pre-allocated seats. Passengers have the option of upgrading to pre-allocated seats during the check-in process at a cost of £5.

Monarch specialises in flights to Iberia and flies from Luton to Alicante, Gibraltar, Gran Canaria, Faro, Lanzarote, Malaga, Menorca, Palma and Tenerife. Upcoming services include Larnaca and Almeria.

Monarch opens online check-in at Gatwick

Monarch Airlines is to expand its online check-in service to cover passengers travelling on scheduled flights from Gatwick Airport.

The service for travellers heading out of Gatwick joins the existing option for departure from Manchester and Birmingham airports, and will allow passengers to check-in between 24 and four hours before departure.

To use the service Monarch passengers will have to book pre-allocated seats, which costs £5, and the airline is promising to make online check-in available for departures from all its UK airports over the coming months.

Winter timetable for Manchester launched by Monarch

Monarch has released details of its winter timetable from Manchester Airport, with increased frequencies and a new route.

The airline's winter schedule for the 2007/2008 period includes the launch of a service from Manchester to Murcia, which is set to begin operating from February 8, next year.

There will also be an extension into the winter months of Monarch's current service to Jerez and flights from Manchester to Palma recommence on February 7, 2008.

Monarch has new Luton and Birmingham routes for next winter

Flights in Monarch's 2007/2008 winter schedule from Birmingham and Luton - which includes increased service on many routes - are now on sale at www.flymonarch.com.

Example fares include £9.99 one-way (excluding taxes) from Luton to Malaga in December 2007.

From Birmingham, the low-cost airline is beginning its first winter service to Palma, with up to four flights per week.

Monarch offering £10 off in Spring Sale

Book by February 20: Monarch Airlines is offering £10 off 250,000 flights as part of its Spring Sale.

Those making bookings between today (February 16) and midnight on Tuesday, February 20, will qualify for the extra on flights to locations in mainland Spain and the Balearics such as Alicante, Almeria, Murcia, Ibiza and Majorca.

The £10 off refers to extra money off on the web discount. This is usually £10 for a return flight or £5 for a one-way flight, but for the duration of the offer it has been doubled to £20 for a return flight or £10 one-way.

Monarch offers Sixt car hire via website

Monarch Airlines has teamed up with vehicle rental firm Sixt to offer car hire via its website.

Passengers will be able to book a car for their holiday alongside their plane tickets, with prices from as little as £7 per day.

Sixt offers car hire with pre-paid rates, including all taxes, fees and insurance within the "super low price" and promises to support this with high quality customer service.

Monarch offers 25% off lowest fares

Book by midnight, January 23: Monarch is offering 25 per cent off its lowest fares on all scheduled routes.

Passengers will have to hurry to take advantage because the offer ends at midnight tomorrow (Tuesday). The travel period runs until the end of October, and availability is limited at peak holiday times. Also, normal taxes and charges apply in full.

Monarch Scheduled flies from Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Blackpool and Aberdeen to destinations in Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. New routes lined up for this year include Luton to Larnaca (Cyprus) and Gatwick to Murcia.

Monarch caters for fans of Liverpool FC

Liverpool's progress to the knock-out stages of the Champions League has led to staggering demand for flights to Barcelona, after the Merseysiders drew the European champions.

Barcelona are seen by many as the favourites to win the title once again, but Rafa Benitez's team are coming into some excellent form at exactly the right time.

The Liverpool fans are clearly confident, with demand for tickets soaring, and Monarch has responded by upgrading the flight on February 21 from Manchester to Barcelona.

Luton to Larnaca route launched by Monarch

Monarch is to launch flights from London to Cyprus next year as the airline expands its network to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The four times a week service from London Luton to Larnaca begins on March 26, with fares starting from £69.99 one-way including taxes.

Tim Jeans, managing director of Monarch's scheduled services, said: "We are delighted to be the first low fares airline to launch scheduled services to the Eastern Mediterranean, a market that has historically been dominated by the flag carriers and charter services.

Monarch assists HCCT holidaymakers

Monarch has revealed that it will operate an additional flight from Tenerife to Manchester following the collapse yesterday of HCCT Holidays (see yesterday's story HCCT holiday firm goes bust).

As many as 1,000 holidaymakers have been left abroad and 40,000 more have had future flights cancelled.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has reassured passengers that they will receive reimbursement, but the practical issue of returning home from a holiday remains a problem for some.

Monarch replaces BA on Gatwick to Murcia route

Low-fares airline Monarch will begin flying from Gatwick to Murcia from next spring.

The daily route will replace a similar service that was offered by British Airways until it was cancelled in October 2005.

Tickets for the service, which will begin on May 3, 2007, will normally be priced at £41.99 one-way (£68.99 return), including taxes and charges. However, at the moment Monarch is offering discounted tickets for the new route (on selected dates and subject to availability) from £1 one-way (£27.99 including extras).

Monarch’s warming winter sale – fly from £30 one-way

Book by Tuesday, December 5: Low-cost airline Monarch has launched its winter sale. Fly from London, Birmingham or Manchester from £29.99 one-way, including tax.

With up to 30 per cent off its lowest fares, Monarch is offering special deals on the following destinations – all from £30 one-way:

From Birmingham - Malaga, Faro, Murcia and Almeria.

From London Gatwick - Lisbon, Granada, Alicante and Malaga.

Monarch launches gift vouchers for Christmas

Low-cost airline Monarch has launched a series of gift vouchers in time for Christmas.

The vouchers can be used as full or part payment on flights to all scheduled destinations served by Monarch – which include locations in Iberia and the Canary Islands such as Ibiza, Faro and Tenerife.

Following in the footsteps of rival Ryanair, which launched its own series of gift vouchers earlier this month (see the recent story Ryanair launches Christmas gift vouchers), Monarch has released the vouchers in the run up to the festive period.

Poll: Top in-flight annoyances

Passengers knocking the back of your seat and reclining the one in front topped a recently released poll of passenger grievances.

Low-cost airline Monarch conducted a survey of more than 1,500 people and found that almost four in five (78 per cent) considered people bashing into the back of their seat to be the most irritating thing on a flight.

The person in front reclining their seat was the second-most annoying thing (69 per cent) and in-flight mobile phone use completed the top three.

Monarch increases Barcelona flights in October

Monarch Airlines is increasing the frequency of its flights between Manchester Airport and Barcelona for the month of October.

An additional flight (ZB518) will operate on Fridays throughout the month – on October 6, 13, 20 and 27. It will depart Manchester at 4.20pm and arrive in Barcelona at 7.40pm.

The return flight (ZB519) will take off from the Spanish city at 8.40pm and arrive back in Manchester at 10pm.

Monarch buys Dreamliner jets

Monarch Airlines has announced that it has placed an order with Boeing for six Dreamliner jets. The order is worth $916 million and the airline has purchase rights for four more jets. Delivery is scheduled for 2010.

The Dreamliner is being heralded as the future of air travel. Boeing believes its improved air filtering and lighting will help passengers beat the discomfort of jet lag on long flights (see Dreamliner to beat jet lag).

The aircraft also promises other benefits: a revolutionary cabin design that offers wider seating, seat-back monitors, bigger windows and more stowage space.