Monarch has launched two new seating options for customers booking through its website, in what it says is a first for a UK airline.

The ‘Extra Comfort Seat’ option allows passengers on selected flights to purchase up to two seats “at an attractive price, but on a non-guaranteed basis”, next to their originally booked seat, for extra space.

Where available, customers can submit a request for the extra seat(s), and will be notified via email whether their request has been accepted “approximately 24 hours” before the scheduled departure time. Once a request has been accepted, it cannot be cancelled or withdrawn.

The FAQs for the service state:

“Prices start from £20 and vary depending on the flight route, date and number of Extra Comfort Seats you request. This is because the more extra seats you request, the cheaper each individual extra seat becomes.

“The cost of Extra Comfort Seat is charged on top of an already purchased booking but no additional fees apply.

“Remember, you will only be charged if and when your Extra Comfort Seat request is accepted. You will not be charged if your Extra Comfort Seat request is rejected.

“Extra Comfort Seat requests are not guaranteed because availability depends on other passenger’s requests and quantity of seats available on the particular Monarch flight concerned.

“Unlike additional standard seats purchases (made through Manage my Booking on monarch.co.uk or via the Monarch call centre), Extra Comfort Seat requests are not confirmed at the time of request and are subject to availability.

“Once you have booked your flight, you can place an Extra Comfort Seat request at a cheaper price. If your request for Extra Comfort Seat is accepted, you can enjoy the full Extra Comfort experience.”

Meanwhile the ‘Bid for Extra Legroom’ service allows customers to place bids for any unsold extra legroom seats which are still available four days before departure. Bids can be placed up to 26 hours before departure, for up to six seats per booking.

The FAQs for this service state:

“A minimum bid may apply depending on route and availability. This will be clearly shown during the bid process.

“Monarch retains sole discretion to set or adjust the minimum price whenever it deems it appropriate.

“You can Bid for Extra Legroom at a price that suits you. The cost of the service is the amount you define when making the bid and is charged on top of an already purchased booking (no additional fees apply).

“Bid for Extra Legroom is not guaranteed because availability depends on other passengers’ bids and the quantity of Extra Legroom seats available on the particular Monarch flight concerned.

“We also consider a range of other factors when accepting or denying a bid (e.g. the original flight price and added services in the original flight booking).”

Full terms and conditions for each of the new services can be seen at:

monarch.co.uk