Air Europa » User reviews

sparkyflyer flew Air Europa Club Business, on a B737-800 (10/02/2011 16:59)

Reservation

I was looking to travel from Madrid to Barcelona in Business Class, with the options being IB, Spanair, Air Europa and the AVE train. I chose Air Europa due the time of the flight, the price and to top up my Flying Blue/Skyteam miles. Air Europa (UX) is a new member.

The website I found basic and clunky, with not much information, and a warning that the amount charged to a card may be different to the one indicated! This gave scope for me to worry and not an awful lot of confidence, so I called up their UK call centre. The guy was friendly, efficient and helpful and quoted me the price I had found online, so I confirmed and tried to make the reservation. I was quite shocked and miffed when I tried to pay with my Amex, only to be told that they did not accept this. I really could not believe this. Many of us regular travellers use Amex for the miles, protections etc. I was very, very tempted to try another carrier, but the schedule and price were good, as was the Rep, so I stayed and used another card.

I am someone who really believes in good customer service and professionalism and in this case "David" (I think it was) made the difference!
Be warned that just because a carrier is a member of an alliance does not mean they take Amex!

Check in and lounge

Check in was efficient, prompt and friendly. Luggage tagged as priority. I find the old terminal at MAD easier to get to and from the city centre than the Iberia terminal, and it was straight forward.
The Lounge was disappointing. Drinks and nuts, but no sandwiches or anything filling. Only 2 PCs were working and both of these were being used. I enquired at the desk of the Skyteam Lounge (managed by the airport operator) to be advised could use the pay-for wifi. I was shocked again and somewhat disappointed at this.

The flight

About 30 minutes late. Aircraft was a 737-800. I had reserved the seat 2A when I made the reservation. Cabin was full and middle seats were not taken, quite comfy but nothing special. Crew very welcoming and friendly with an apology for the minor delay. Flight about an hour, however, did not feel like Business Class -cava in plastic "glasses" with crisps and biscuits free of charge - no sandwich or carbohydrate at all. So nothing thing solid in the lounge, and again on the plane, was really hungry by now and awaiting landing with some relish so I could eat!

Summary

All staff was pleasant but they were the only part of the offering that was quality. The rest of the product- website, not taking AMEX, the lounge and lack of online and food, and the onboard catering were all disappointing and did not match in my opinion what I would have expected from a Skyteam partner airline.
Good staff, unsatisfying product offering.

BetsyJanigian flew Air Europa Economy (long haul), on a A330-200 (19/07/2010 01:35)

8 of us flew from Miami to Madrid and then Madrid to Rome in June. Let me start by saying check in at MIA was long and tedious but thankfully we arrived early. The seats in the plane were ok until the person in front of you reclined their seat. Lets just say you could do a full dental check-up on them and make sure you go the the bathroom prior to them reclining or it is impossible to get out. The a/c was turned off or not working half way through the flight which also did not help and when I suddenly felt nauseated and called the flight attendant for help he instructed me to go to the bathroom. I would have loved to but was trapped by seats that did not allow you to exit. Well we arrived in Rome safely for our 10 day cruise without luggage. The somewhat good news was that I did get my luggage on day 8 of my 10 day cruise. I was told I would be compensated 100 euros for all the clothes I had to buy. Thanks for nothing Air Europa. I will not be flying with you again.

BetsyJanigian flew Air Europa Economy (long haul), on a A330-200 (19/07/2010 01:19)

puccablu flew Air Europa Economy (long haul), on a A330-200 (08/06/2010 22:48)

Air Europa was a great experience. Not sure why when I researched it, every other comment was a negative one. I just flew with this airline, ( June 2010 ) and it is not any better nor worse than any other airline I've dealt with.

I called the toll free number at least 3 times, because I was freaking out over the bad reviews, and each time a person - not automated machine - answered and was helpful and polite.

When we arrived at Miami airport there was no line. The person who attended us was professional and helpful, not to mention handsome! The flight departed on schedule at 9:15 pm to Madrid. We arrived in Madrid 25 min. ahead of schedule! How's that for a mediocre airline! My family and I made the connection to Paris with no problems, except for the Madrid airport who only has one line for customs for all gates connecting to other flights. Our luggage was not lost. We had a total of 4.

Again, I was impelled to write this because based on the other reviews this airline is doomed, and I thought I would be too. It's not true! All airlines make mistakes at time, don't be fooled. Air E doesn't deserve to be reviewed like that. So I had to speak up!

We plan to return to the States later this summer ( 2010)

FreshFacedFlyer flew Air Europa , on a B737-800 (06/10/2009 11:25)

Flew out to Madrid from Gatwick on the B737 which is considerably larger and more spacious than the scheduled Embraer 195 which normally serves the route.

The middle seat in business is not sold and instead is replaced by a makeshift table. A member of the cabin crew helpfully suggested I lower the table on the unsold seat. I have to admit, with all three tables now surrounding me I felt a little boxed in, but at least there was plenty of space to spread out my food and newspaper.

The leather seats were roomy and there was ample space to stretch my legs out under the seat in front.

Nice to get a business class on a short haul route where the seats are actually different to economy.

Overall I'd say the seat was excellent on such a short flight, as was the service.

renabee flew Air Europa Economy (long haul), on a A330-200 (07/09/2009 16:44)

I flew from NY to Madrid.The plane is pretty well equipped considering the prices they offer. The air europa 330-200 offers in flight entertainment on every seat. The flight attendants are pretty friendly and offer you what they can. The food is not so good so I suggest eating before getting on board or bringing snacks. I like air europa better than Iberia. Iberia crew members were rude in economy and you don't get your own in flight entertainment. You just watch what they show you. I did have the privilege to fly business on Iberia one time and it was great. The decor was sort of old and things were worn out and seemed dirty. My pillow had some sort of stain but the staff were great. IT's amazing what better service you get in different classes but the food was not so different than economy. I had the king prawns selection on the menu and it was very bad. I mean not the type of food they should be serving in business class.