hi has anyone flown with monarch from manchester to calgary booked through canadian affair or is zoom the better option i will hopefully be landing middle to end of feb if work permit comes back in time your help is much appreciated and A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

hi, i too booked through canadian affair with monarch.....my OH had no problems with them at all...and i am using them at the end of jan to fly to calgary too

Had major problems with them on last trip.
Flew on 27 dec 06 and was told when on approach to Calgary that Monarch could not land when snowy conditions and was diverted to Edmonton, had to wait 5 hours for coaches to collect us and take us back to Calgary.
When coming back to uk 11 Jan 07 had a 22 hour delay due to snowy conditions then staff over their hours, we were put up in a hotel but what made things worse that our luggage was on the aircraft and we werent allowed to get it back. Luckily had packed some spare undies in hand luggage for us all.
All other airlines were still landing BA, AC, Just the Monarch flights diverted.
We missed our connection flight from Gatwick to Manchester and to get another flight would have cost £150 each and would needed to wait 10 hours after landing, was totally knackered so got a taxi instead and sent the bill to monarch! They did refund us the taxi fare.

Of all the duff stories I've heard on flights in and out of Canada, the Canadian Affair bunch seem to get the worst reports - consistently!

All airlines have problems, diversion or unexpected issues. Canadian Affair/Globespan/Air Transat have more than their fair share Sometimes you do get what you pay for - but occasionally they work a treat

I guess just don't be surprised if there are problems or delays, then you won't be disappointed. And if it all goes swimmingly, well done you

Go ZOOM while you still can!

Seriously, we've just flown with Monarch from Calgary to Manchester and the flight was fine, staff friendly, etc., but they take "budget" to another level. The plane was old and not that clean. Also, other than a soft or hot drink with each meal/snack (i.e. 2 in total!) you had to pay for every drop of water on a 8.25hr flight!!!! If I'd known that was the case it wouldn't have been a problem as I'd have stocked up after Airport Security, but having flown with Zoom on our 2 previous trips back to the UK, and thinking that they (Zoom) were considered a true budget airline, I assumed that soft drinks would be complimentary on Monarch too Buying bottled water at 1.50 ($3.00) a hit for a family of 4 soon added up With Zoom we've always been offered loads of free soft drinks throughout the flight.

Like you say - Go Zoom while you still can - we won't have much choice when they stop flying to Manchester in the Spring and there is only Canadian Affair flying direct! Having said that, we haven't had any problems when we have flown with them, although it has been Thomas Cook or My travel not Monarch.

My in laws have friends who have rellies in Okotoks and they have booked flights with Zoom for July 08 - sorry cant explain this

We've called Monarch cheapo airlines ever since we flew to Florida with them years ago - but as long as you get here in one piece then that'll be good

all airlines have problems..so i think its a case off what ever happens on the day .

oh and my flights are with Airtransat not monarch..but regardless still all have the same issues.

yep its been a while, but we flew to Orlando in 99 with Monarch, We had heard the nickname MUCKY MONARCH but thought it was a joke till boarding one of their planes,
Im sure ours was a cut and shut!, the carpets didnt match, so didnt the wall pannels, i tell you we were soooo glad when it touched down after a 9hour flight, never againe. i try to stay well clear, but i hear they have a new fleet now, not before time i say!

i dont think you can complain sometimes when the transatlantic flight with 2 meals,drinks and entertainment costs less than the train fair from Hull to Gatwick!!!!

I flew to Canada with Air Transat in Sept - the room was good, the films ok, the food was rubbish and they ran out before the people who had booked their meals had had their food. Even though I buy the meal I tend to take a sandwich with me cos I don't like rice or pasta and in my experience lately airplane meals consist of one of those wherever you fly so I tend to take a sandwich and some fruit.

Overall it was a good trip, the staff were great and I hadn't seen the films and I was coming to Canada

Safe journey both families

We are looking at Thomas Cook with Canadian Affair in October...

Anyone used them?

Are they flying from Manchester? I know Zoom are still flying from Gatwick in the summer.