Goa Forum: Monarch flight refuelling in Kuwait

Sorry John, have been in hospital and just back so didn't read your post. At least I know that we haven't been singled out! We have booked extra legroom seats and I was a little worried that they were changing the plane to a smaller one and no extra legroom seats would be available and I would have to get refund when I got home.

Just phoned JIC and as far as their concerned our flight in March is direct to Goa from Gatwick.

I think this is only for 8 weeks, judging by bogmalos previous post. Mind you, we have now been informed by JIC that they have "negotiated" with Monarch an upgraded meal service, free headsets and free comfort kits. Would rather have their sub-standard meal service and nothing else and get to and from Goa quicker! That is why we book Monarch as it is a direct flight!

The monarch flights are stopping in Kuwait for the next 6 to 8 weeks.But i can see this being the norm for the rest of the season at least.It's all down to cost savings,the crew who normaly stay at Bogmalo beach will be put up in a hotel in Kuwait (saving money) and the fuel will be cheaper as well.

John

I see your flight is a saturday flight. Hopefully thursday flights will be unaffected?? Only time will tell. I feel we are moving back to the old days of fliying to Goa.

I had a feeling that this might be the last of our Goan winter holidays, and if the flights are going to be via Kuwait, Dubai or Bahrain again, this might well finish it definately for us. Shame. After so many years, I will be quite upset, but hopefully can find somewhere else hot for winter.

So in essence, if all Monarch flights are now stopping on route to Goa, then Emirates and Qatar are contenders to get to Goa.

We all now that the service offered by those two is far superior to Monarch...easy decision!

Problem is iantwoeyes, is that we live right by Gatwick and it was an easy and cheaper option to take the Monarch flight. Heathrow is further and costs more to get to. But, yes, if we decide to go again, Qatar or Emirates are certainly more likely to get our money that Monarch.

Grrrr – just phoned Jewel as we fly out this Saturday but our return flight will be January. They confirmed our flight will still be direct out there on Saturday but that ALL Monarch flights will be stopping in Kuwait from Jan. It is nice to get off and stretch the old legs but it adds on over 2 hours which is a pain. Oh well more reason to book scheduled next year, the direct flight is the only reason we’ve stayed with Charters.

In case anyone else looking at return time in Jan to Gatwick – the 12.00 dep from Goa arrives at Gatwick now at 19.55hrs.