V-Flyer

Monarch have introduced On Line Check in 24 hours before the flight where you print the boarding pass.

This is only available from four UK airports at the moment (Luton, LGW, MAN & BHX) and only with scheduled flights.

The online check in was very easy. Printed off two copies of the boarding cards.

Next morning, up bright and early for 03:45, picked up the friends going with us and drove to Birmingham. BHX was very busy at this time of the morning (05:00) but at the check in desks they had a Vantage Club plus on-line check in only desk, totally empty.
Had a slight problem with the check in staff that they stared to complain that one of the bags was 22KG, 2KG over the limit, but I explained that as there was 5 of us, the total limit was not breached, so they were happy. They stapled the baggage lables to my printed out boarding cards and off to the security we went.
Security was fine, only had to take the laptop out of the case, through in no time.
Had breakfast at Garfunkles and then bording started. The plane a A321 was at a remote stand so we had to go downstairs and for some reason the gate staff had the overhead heaters on!, walked over the apron to the aircraft.
We had prebooked our seats (Extra Legroom for 15 per person each way) and were in 2DEF, so right at the front.
Interesting view of the cockpit as the door was open, very small cockpit.
Took off on time (and landed 15 mins early) in fact both flights took off on time, VS should take notes!

Monarchs Scheduled service is an interesting mix of scheduled and charter.
Free headphones and overhead console screens for the flight, showing TV shows.
All drinks to be paid for and you could buy sarnies or full meals as well, and the prices did not look too bad (6.00 for a three course meal)
They did keep stopping the tape a lot to make announcements (Food cart, drinks cart, duty free cart, scratchcards, plus FO's comments)

the seats were normal sized seats, just with around 32' leg room, so were a little uncomfortable after two hours.
The toilets, well, when they design these toilets, are they designed by a dwarf? you cannot stand over the pan to pee, you have to contort to fit!
The A321 is quite a small aircraft, the front galley is really a half galley, as it only has three carts and three ovens, the other side of the galley is the RH door!

Now, as many know, I am not a big fan of Airbus products and this flight did nothing to change that view, Very noisy (Even with my QC2's on), it rattles and on landing, the secure cockpit door flew open I think because of the flex in the aircraft. the landing was also hard and fast reverse.

For the first time in ages, we actually had an airbridge at Malaga!
Still a very long walk to customs, where we were justs waved through.There is a lot of building work going on at AGP and a new terminal is being built.

Overall, an efficient on time flight, with a friendly, efficient crew.

Good service from Monarch.