Monarch Airlines Airbus A300 600 seat review by Gerry Greensmith #26875

Paid the extra to travel premium. What a let down! First advised 4 weeks before travel that plane would be downsized and have to stop at Kuwait to refuel. This plane is 22 years old and it shows in its cramped, antequated surroundings with no in seat entertainment. It was due to be replaced by 787 dreamliners but the order was cancelled Sep 2011. Presumably becuase they're making losses. Monarchs Chairman stated Nov 2011 that the company strategy will now be on short / medium haul flights. So expect Monarch to change into a "pack em in" pay for everything airline! Which it certainly felt like on our flight. Despite complaining to Monarch about our flight change, they merely stated that it was done for operational reasons which is allowed in their T&C's!...with no compensation.
ps to address other reviewers comments about this plane, it would appear that the normal seat pattern is 3,3,3 but to be able to provide a premium service when they want to, they change the seat plan up front to 2,4,2 x 6 rows. It was my worst premium economy experience of 20 years flying longhaul...never again!!!