The Monarch flight from Florida's Orlando Sanford should have arrived at 5.15am yesterday morning.

But hundreds of holidaymakers on flight MON326 did not arrive until 7.47am today, a delay of 26.5 hours.

One passenger branded the airline a "disgrace" and claimed they had not had any contact with a Monarch rep.

Monarch Airlines said the aircraft had been held up at London Gatwick, before flying to Florida, because a technical fault was discovered.

Passengers were told that the plane required "unexpected maintenance."

Crew for the aircraft then needed to have their breaks – holding the flight up further.

Passengers were bused to a local hotel in Sanford and given breakfast, lunch and dinner. The airline said they had also been offered "unlimited" free drinks and a free phone call home to waiting family.

A spokeswoman for Monarch claimed it had not received any complaints.

However, some of the 130 passengers described their frustration at the mammoth delay.

Lucy Boyd, 32, from Gourock, said: "The airline has been a disgrace and some people actually thought the airline had gone bust as there has been absolutely no communication from them at all."

Another passenger said: "There have been complaints registered. There were no free phone calls or drinks."

A spokeswoman for the airline said: "Monarch Airlines flight, MON326 was subject to a delay after a technical issue was discovered with the aircraft on the positioning flight from London Gatwick to Florida."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk