Catching the Monarch A300
Faro - London
October 2013
With Monarch being the last European airline to operate the Airbus A300 on scheduled passenger flights, when they announced the type’s retirement, I knew I had to book myself a flight on one. With only three remaining in service and one of these due to leave in early November, my most viable option was to fly from London Gatwick to Faro before the end of the Summer schedule. Monarch were offering £25 off on return flights, so me and a few friends booked ourselves a one night trip to Faro, flying out on one of their A321’s and back on the A300.
Having checked in online and it being a quiet Friday afternoon, we were through security and into the departure lounge within 10 minutes. Upon arrival at the gate, we were surprised to see Monarch Boeing 757 G-DAJB sitting at our gate and an A321 at the adjacent gate. Could it be that we were on a 757 instead of the expected A321? Sure enough the A321 was headed to Dalaman and we were indeed on one of Monarch’s three remaining 757’s! As I love 757's this was a great!
Date: 18th October 2013
Flight: ZB216
From: London Gatwick (LGW)
To: Faro (FAO)
Dep: 16:30
Arr: 19:10
Aircraft: Boeing 757-2T7
Reg: G-DAJB
Seat: 16F
G-DAJB is the oldest aircraft in the Monarch fleet at 26.7 years old at the time of flight, making it the oldest aircraft I have ever flown on and even older than the A300 we were going to travel on the next day!
We boarded the aircraft and it was nice to see it was in very good condition for an aircraft this age. With 209 passengers on board the flight was pretty full and we pushed back from stand late. The captain announced our cruising altitude for today would be 37,000ft.
Ready for take off on Runway 08R, half an hour behind schedule.
I don’t know if its because this aircraft is older, but the engine sound on this 757 has to be the best I’ve ever heard.
After what seemed like a long time, we began our descent and the lights of Faro began to appear. Soon after we landed on runway 28 at Faro at 19:40, 30 minutes behind schedule. We arrived on a remote stand and we were bussed to the terminal.
The following morning we arrived back at the airport and after waiting ages to pass through security we entered the departure lounge. We didn't have long to wait before the gate information was displayed on the screens and we made our way towards the gate area. Once again we were bussed to the aircraft.
Date: 19th October 2013
Flight: ZB215
From: Faro (FAO)
To: London Gatwick (LGW)
Dep: 10:25
Arr: 13:10
Aircraft: Airbus A300B4-605R
Reg: G-MONS
Seat: 14J
Now it was time for my first flight on an A300! I was really pleased to see G-MONS would be our aircraft, the oldest remaining A300 in the fleet and the next to be retired with only a few weeks left in service. Once again, Monarch seem to have looked after their aircraft well and the interior was in fairly good condition.