Outward Journey:

Aircraft took off from Manchester on time, but was delayed at Gatwick after loading of more passengers. 2.25 hours on the tarmac in very cramped conditions without any offer of a drink or any heating, a technical problem was the reason offered. Staff very abrupt & unhelpful especially a young male Steward who had an accent from the Liverpool area. Food awful. In-flight entertainment was not working in the seating area I was in. Seats were extremely uncomfortable.

Homeward Journey:

Flight Delayed 14 (fourteen) hours. Technical problem was the reason offered, when the problem was fixed, the flight crew had run out of hours so a new crew had to be found. We bought crisps at Mombasa Airport so that we did not have to rely on flight food. Again, cramped conditions & rude crew. The woman next to me had missed the meal that was brought round because she was asleep. When she asked the stewardess if any food was available, she was told that in 2 hours time a light snack was to be served, the lady asked if she could have something to tide her over but was told that she should have been awake when the meal was served & that she should have bought a snack at Mombasa airport. I gave the lady a bag of crisps.

By the time we arrived at Manchester, we had been awake for 1.5 days & both my wife & I were absolutely shattered.

I have flown in the Airbus A330 before, but had more legroom than this. Monarch must be putting more seats in to gain maximum profit at the expense of passenger comfort.

If at all possible, avoid this so called airline.