myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 28 January 2003

Have flown Premium Economy & Upper Class with scheduled airlines but does anyone know what Premium Economy is like with Monarch for the flight to Tobago?

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 28 January 2003

We flew Monarch Premium Economy last year to Tobago via Grenada and direct back to UK from Tobago. Compared to scheduled airlines Business Class it was less roomy but far superior to BWIA, BA or JMC economy class to the Caribbean. Extra leg room by about 5 inches (125mm) and a bit more if you get rows 1 in the centre or 2 port and starboard (not pre-bookable but arrive early at Premium economy check in looking smart to improve your chances greatly) in addition I reckon seats were 1.5 inches (37.5mm) wider - not a lot - but enough on a long haul flight. Seat back or armrest based In flight Entertainment saves getting a cricked neck and offers more choice than down the back. Food presentation and choice from what I heard was much better despite the plastic cutlery. If you enjoy a drink or two then it was included in the price excluding Champagne but you seemed to have to ask outside regular meal service times. At the moment and until the end of March (and possibly into April) Monarch have sub-contracted flights to JMC for so called operational reasons my JMC experience is two years out of date so I cannot help there. Monarch go to Tobago on a Thursday via Grenada and on a Saturday via St Kitts from 3rd May when Virgin 747 will serve the Gatwick- Grenada -tobago route.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 29 January 2003

Ian is always a good source of info on airlines and he has answered your question fully, but for more information, look at the myTobago 'Information' pages and see the 'Airline' section. We flew out on a JMC-operated Monarch flight last week, in Premier class. It was brilliant.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 02 February 2003

We are departing this Thursday on the "Monarch" flight so I was distraught to see Ian's poting ref JMC operating it on Monarch's behalf. Monarch took over the route a few years back from Caledonian and used the same DC10's (which I think they had bought in turn from the old British Caledonian). If JMC are using their newer planes then it will be ok - if its the DC10's that caused them to abandon the route for reasons of economy them watch out. We spent 8 hours stranded at Gatwick landside (they wouldn't let us go airside as they could not tell the airport people if let alone when the plane would depart) with very little information and vowed never to fly JMC again. Although JMC have cleaned their act up immeasurably they are a poor second to Monarch especially as regards check in and long queues. Ian would you please confirm I have (hopefully) misread your posting.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 02 February 2003

Paul was correct in his assesment of JMC's performance and customer service record of a couple of years or so ago this coincided with the completion of the merger of Caledonian and Flying Colours and braning as JMC (John Marston Cook son of Thomas Cook). In a few weeks time JMC will undergo yet another rebranding and become Thomas Cook Airlines to align its image with the other airlines in Europe of the same name owned by its German owners (Preussag I think). Hopefully the name, livery, and uniforms are all that will change!!

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 02 February 2003

As always Steve has got there first and his posting of 23rd January has assuaged my concerns. JMC it is but on an Airbus!

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 03 February 2003

Hi Paul

My parents and sister arrived on the Monarch flight last Saturday (1st February). Once again it was on a JMC Airbus 330. Much, much better accommodation than the old Monarch Airbus - in fact other than the pain of 90 minutes kicking around in Grenada they all strongly recommended the flight.