Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4919 posts, RR: 55 Posted (4 years 2 months 2 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 17819 times:
Feedback always appreciated.
Trip Report: 070
Flight Category: Y-DMR (See Report End)
Date: 07 Feb-09 (See Report End)
SDT/SAT/Dur/Delay: 1725/2110/02:45 hrs (Delayed by 00:27)
Flight: Air Europa UX 9141, 1097 miles
Routing: LPA-MAD
Aircraft: 738
Seat: Economy, 14F
I > Background:
I had been at Madrid for a week of work and decided to take a quick trip to the Canary Islands to see a good Venezuelan friend of mine. I decided to fly Spanair on the outbound and Air Europa on the return. Interestingly, the low-cost Vueling had the highest fares on both inbound and outbound dates. More surprisingly, while there have been several reports on A.Net on Spanair, Air Europa reports are rare. I only found PH’s report on the MAD-BCN shuttle and another from 2005. This is the first report on the LPA-MAD flight.
II > Pre-Flight:
a) Before Airport:
Air Europa Líneas Aéreas, is a Majorca based airline that operates domestic scheduled services and long-haul flights to the Americas and Caribbean. It is an associate member of the Skyteam alliance and a fully integrated member of Flying Blue.
I tried to use Air Europa’s booking engine at www.aireuropa.com, but was unable to do so. In the end, I was able to recreate the same itinerary on Orbitz for cheaper. Anyways, their website is extremely temperamental and I was unable to use their hopeless check-in option either. While I was able to view my reservation, no option existed to edit or chose seats. Worse, was the inability to chose anything for FQTV info outside FB.
b) At Airport:
Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria is a simple and efficient airport that does well to meet its demand. It is a very generic glass structure, but surprisingly efficient (overlooking the security checks). My friend dropped me off 2 and a half hours before … and I kind of just hung out until the check-in desks opened exactly 2 hours prior. The check-in lady from the ground handling company was efficient and was able to comply with my request for an exit row seat. However, she had a miserable time to include my Delta FQTV information and was unable to do so after 20 minutes of trying. I was convinced she had no idea what she was doing as she kept on referring to a manual (with pictures of the various cards) and asking me whether my card was a “Gold”, “Silver”, etc. I kept on saying it did not matter and just to see that she enters the code “DL” before the FFP number. Either way, I gave up, took the boarding passes, thanked her and went off for a security check.
Mid-afternoon is busy time at LPA as there are several flights headed out. This manifests itself is long security lines which took almost 30 minutes to clear. Post security, the terminal opens up to a cacophony of action with several shops, café, and bars. After walking around and spotting for a bit, it was time to board. Again, no priority boarding as we took a bus that would bring us to our aircraft. UX’s 738 looked good and we boarded using the front air-bridge to a rather indifferent crew. There were no warm greetings, nothing. The seat pitch in other rows looked marginally better than Spanair as I made my way to the rather generous exit row. Y load was 75%.
Airport - External:
(Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria)
Check-in:
Airport - Internal:
(Internal)
(FIDS)
(Post Security)
Scenes of the tarmac:
(A 330 of AB – just shows why German is heard more often than Spanish in Islas Canarias)
Lounge
NONE
Boarding:
NONE
III> In-Flight:
a) Service Schedule + Impressions:
Air Europa is a strict low-cost carrier where NOTHING is free. Soon after take-off, the cart of drinks and food for sale were rolled by. Duty free sales were done shortly thereafter.
b) Aircraft + Seats:
Air Europa’s 738 looked worn out. From various things falling apart (see picture) to an overall filthy cabin. The blue seats were marginally more comfortable than Spanair’s 320. Legroom in non-exit row was also marginally better and the recline was non-existent. Overall, I would not want to be stuck on any row but exit on these birds.
Aircraft:
(Credit: Daniel Villa)
Views from Aircraft:
(LPA)
General Seat Views + Seat Legroom
(Seat legroom – gotta love exit rows)
Seat Recline + Angle View:
(No recline)
NONE
(Angle view – with all UX staffers)
Cabin:
(Many small things gave a poor impression)
c) Meal + Beverage:
As mentioned, nothing on Air Europa is free … and as I mentioned, I guess it will take me a while to adjust to this European service concept on medium haul flights by a network carrier that is also an alliance member. Again, the menu was rather generic and I am always surprised by the very “blah” offerings on board. Since I was hungry, I bought water, Twix (EUR 1,50), and a rather nasty “mini-baguette de tortilla” (EUR 2,50). Unlike the food quality of Spanair, UX’s offering just sucked. The “tortilla” I paid for was moist and had a weird after-taste. The entire service was done using credit card … though I felt the crew was again just indifferent.
(Menu)
d) Inflight Entertainment:
This is where the almost 3 hour flight became really painful. While there were some video monitors, they kept on playing around 5-6 music videos in a loop. I mean, how cheap can an airline get? Not impressed at all. But then again, with competition Spanair doing the same, I don’t blame that overall service standards on longer intra-Spain flights are nothing to write home about. Perhaps our Spanish A.Netters can tell us if things are better on these flights on Iberia or Vueling?
(“In-flight magazines”, Boarding Passes, etc.)
e) Crew:
Adding to the overall shoddy flight was Air Europa’s crew who seemed to want to be anywhere but on board. From an indifferent welcome (actually, they didn’t really welcome anyone), to a complete disinterest during the meal-for-sale schedule, they were one unhappy group. I didn’t see a single smile … of course, part of this might because I never really saw them outside the one service run! Another thing I found interesting … and perhaps this is the service culture in Spain, is that all the non-revs boarded (and had all the exit row and bulkhead seats) much before revenue pax came in. This would be a “no-no” in many places. Interestingly, it must have been my flight … I was the only revenue pax in an exit row seat.
IV> Post-Flight:
Arrival at MAD was smooth and I was soon enroute to take “Linea 8” to a night of fun.
V> Impressions + Scores:
Of course, Air Europa gets the job done … and that too for cheap. However, that is where the role of Air Europa as a carrier ends. It is not a service oriented airline. While I can pretend to overlook the poor hardware (seats, IFE’s, etc.), I just cannot get past the poor attitude from its crew members. This separated Spanair from Air Europa and took the former to a level of acceptableness that UX can only wish for. Unless I had no choice, I would not fly UX again. Two thumps down.
1.0 > RESERVATION: 5.0
2.0 > CHECK-IN: 6.0
0.5 > LOUNGE: NA
0.5 > BOARDING: 6.0
2.0 > SEAT: 6.0
0.5 > AIRCRAFT OVERALL AMBIENCE: 4.0
1.0 > IFE: 5.0
2.0 > CREW: 2.0
2.0 > FOOD: 5.0
0.5 > BEVERAGES: 5.0
0.5 > A.KITS + OTHER FREEBIES: 5.0
0.5 > DISEMBARKATION: 8.0
1.0 > ON-TIME RECORD: 8.0 WEIGHTED OVERALL IMPRESSION (WOI): 5.19
(Pre-flight WOI of all reviews: 6.50)
* Weighted Overall Impression (WOI) aligns scores with what matters most. Weights are indicated alongside each category.
(Scores are based on comparison with other airlines in THAT class of service – No comparison of Y vs. F for example)
(Note on Codes: Y – Economy, J – Business, F – First :: I/D – International/Domestic :: SR/MR/LR – Short/Medium/Long Haul)
(Note on Date: Dates are modified to be +/- 3 days from actual flight date to not reveal actual flight pattern)
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6115 posts, RR: 56 Reply 1, posted (4 years 2 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 17345 times:
Nice report!
Sorry to hear that Air Europa was so bad.
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4068 posts, RR: 51 Reply 2, posted (4 years 2 months 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 17178 times:
Nice report A.!
First about AEA. I've flown a B738 of them last year, having blue leather seats, not filthy at all. Although the seatpitch was just ok for a domestic flight. I think, seats might vary accross their fleet, since you got fabric ones?!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Perhaps our Spanish A.Netters can tell us if things are better on these flights on Iberia or Vueling?
A Dutchman can do so too Flown last year IB (TFN-MAD). Got a A343. Much more comfortable legroom and good seats. But no entertainment, except from the flightmap on the mainscreens around the cabin. I know that LPA also sees IB widebodies on various flights.
Vueling is not comfortable. Flown them once, on EC-JPL A320, and grey leather seats, really tight legroom, and I didn't last much longer then on my BCN-AMS flight.
I think a JK MD80 on left side (2 seaters) together with IB widebodies, are most comfortable for a domestic ride in Spain. Or go via Germany and fly on of the German airlines (Tuifly, AB, DE). These airlines includes some food/beverages, for often reasonable prices.
Regards,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1673 posts, RR: 15 Reply 3, posted (4 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 16988 times:
Nice report Alex!
Air Europa doesn't seem like a nice airline at all, the seats on the 738 looked really bad. In fact i was rather surprised to see that they had fabric seats, but didn't most of their planes have leather seats?
The BoB menu didn't look that spectacular, though very overpriced. It's kinda funny how JK that used to be a LCC, have gone to offering complimentary service again, so I assume that it is the only Spanish airline that does that.
The pics of Canary Islands were beautiful, did you use a polarizing filter for those pics, or did you photoshop them?
Thanks for posting!
//Jonas
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
Stylo777 From Turkey, joined Feb 2006, 2874 posts, RR: 12 Reply 4, posted (4 years 2 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 16902 times:
the very last pictures beats everything!
as always, great report Alex! I like your way writing reports. Did you ever considered to make an own webpage 'cause you're a very good travel-reporter.
Europe is full of those airlines with 738 (or similar) equipment, pushing in as much passenger as possible, offering rather nothing for free. I would say the good days are over, we have to face this kind of service and quality on rather touristic routes. Very sad indeed!
Anyways, thank you for sharing your experiences and your photos.
What is next on your agenda?
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8276 posts, RR: 56 Reply 5, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 16689 times:
Nice report Alex, thanks for sharing.
UX as you say has few TR's here, is that because A.NETTERS know to use other carriers?
The emergency exit door sure looked kind of neglected, shame when a companies let's the image drop, image is very important - you'd never see a Coke A Cola brand in bad shape!
Debonair From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 2112 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 16205 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Interestingly, the low-cost Vueling had the highest fares on both inbound and outbound dates.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Perhaps our Spanish A.Netters can tell us if things are better on these flights on Iberia or Vueling?
Now you know why! Ok, I am not Spanish- but VY (in my opinion!) is the 2nd BEST low coster carrier in Europe (after HG!!), with an OUTSTANDING service. Its a breeze, friendly crews, superb IFE etc. Unfortunately, this will finish, when clickair will be merged into the biz (as XG is totally the opposite- unfriendly crew, no IFE etc.).
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Air Europa Líneas Aéreas, is a Majorca based airline that operates domestic scheduled services and long-haul flights to the Americas and Caribbean.
Air Europa is much more. UX is also a major charter company in Europe, flying IT-charters for major tour operators (like Thomas Cook). Also, some limited service is also operated into Europe and Africa.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): and perhaps this is the service culture in Spain, is that all the non-revs boarded (and had all the exit row and bulkhead seats) much before revenue pax came in. This would be a “no-no” in many places. Interestingly, it must have been my flight … I was the only revenue pax in an exit row seat.
Well, it's a company decision. Also a German carrier is seating ALL non-revs with "emergency training experience" (like pilots, f/a etc.) in exit rows- as long as these seats are not sold! Most of the European carriers are making heavy $$ with Emergency Exit seating...
Linglesou From Australia, joined Apr 2009, 123 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 16190 times:
Eeep! Sounds like a bit of a nighmare - although Gran Canaria certainly looks like a colourful airport - guess that's fitting given the whole sunny, holiday vibe they've got going on over there!
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4919 posts, RR: 55 Reply 10, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 5 days ago) and read 16144 times:
Quoting The777Man (Reply 1): Sorry to hear that Air Europa was so bad.
= Oh well. Flight was cheap.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 2): A Dutchman can do so too Wink Flown last year IB (TFN-MAD). Got a A343. Much more comfortable legroom and good seats. But no entertainment, except from the flightmap on the mainscreens around the cabin. I know that LPA also sees IB widebodies on various flights.
Vueling is not comfortable. Flown them once, on EC-JPL A320, and grey leather seats, really tight legroom, and I didn't last much longer then on my BCN-AMS flight.
= Jaja - I forgot there are as many Dutchmen as Spaniards in Islas Canarias . Thanks Eric for the comparison.
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 3): The pics of Canary Islands were beautiful, did you use a polarizing filter for those pics, or did you photoshop them? Smile
= Jonas, Nope. Never used photoshop in my life. I did play with some of the "standard" pre-sets on my camera.
Quoting Stylo777 (Reply 4): as always, great report Alex! I like your way writing reports. Did you ever considered to make an own webpage 'cause you're a very good travel-reporter. Smile
= Thanks. I wish I had the time to do this. Work has been pretty busy and I only can report on personal trips.
Quoting Stylo777 (Reply 4):
Anyways, thank you for sharing your experiences and your photos.
What is next on your agenda?
= I have a backlog of airline reports to clear. Actually got a LOT of traveling. Next up is an Iberia report to finish off a "Spanish series".
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 5): UX as you say has few TR's here, is that because A.NETTERS know to use other carriers?
= Jaja. Good one Mark.
Quoting Globetraveller (Reply 7): Thanks for point us all in the right direction, ie. away from Air Europa. Smile
= Jaja.
Quoting Debonair (Reply 8):
Now you know why! Ok, I am not Spanish- but VY (in my opinion!) is the 2nd BEST low coster carrier in Europe (after HG!!), with an OUTSTANDING service. Its a breeze, friendly crews, superb IFE etc. Unfortunately, this will finish, when clickair will be merged into the biz (as XG is totally the opposite- unfriendly crew, no IFE etc.).
= Oh no. Click is HORRIBLE.
Quoting Debonair (Reply 8): Well, it's a company decision. Also a German carrier is seating ALL non-revs with "emergency training experience" (like pilots, f/a etc.) in exit rows- as long as these seats are not sold! Most of the European carriers are making heavy $$ with Emergency Exit seating...
= But, I don't think UX offers exits for sale.
Quoting Linglesou (Reply 9): Eeep! Sounds like a bit of a nighmare - although Gran Canaria certainly looks like a colourful airport - guess that's fitting given the whole sunny, holiday vibe they've got going on over there!
= Ya. And, the people in the Canary Islands are just great.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 11, posted (4 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 16101 times:
Hi Abrelosojos, another great report with nice pictures!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): More surprisingly, while there have been several reports on A.Net on Spanair, Air Europa reports are rare. I only found PH’s report on the MAD-BCN shuttle and another from 2005.
Yes, UX reports are rare. Would be interesting to see an A330 long-haul report.
Ah, no surprise to hear it hasn't been improved yet...terrible website.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Air Europa’s 738 looked worn out. From various things falling apart (see picture) to an overall filthy cabin. The blue seats were marginally more comfortable than Spanair’s 320.
I couldn't complain about legroom and the (leather) seat comfort. However I didn't get a standard 738 on the BCN-MAD sector, but an ex-SAS bird (which is now back with SAS again).
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): I mean, how cheap can an airline get? Not impressed at all. But then again, with competition Spanair doing the same, I don’t blame that overall service standards on longer intra-Spain flights are nothing to write home about. Perhaps our Spanish A.Netters can tell us if things are better on these flights on Iberia or Vueling?
IB and JK aren't really dangerous competitors with their LCC-style products. As for Vueling - I wasn't very impressed, either.
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4423 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (4 years 2 months 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 15711 times:
Hi, Alex,
time now, after some more travel like you, to read your UX story.
Informative and good quality, as always.
From my personal point of view, IB, as experienced last year on the same route twice,
has nothing more to offer than lower legroom on it´s Airbus planes on that route.
Btw., my UX example last year on PMI-MAD with similar impressions:
Reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 1153 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (4 years 2 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 15478 times:
Sorry to hear that UX was so bad. I flew with them once on a very short hop from Alicante to Palma and I must say the Aircraft was very nice. It was a 738 as well, but it had nice leather seats and was very clean and tidy. Crew was ok and I liked their modern uniforms.
I am wondering what their long haul product looks like...
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11252 posts, RR: 63 Reply 14, posted (4 years 2 months 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 15443 times:
It's a shame that you didn't enjoy your Air Europa experience Abrelosojos, I have flown them many times within Spain and never yet had a bad flight with them. Certainly I prefer them over Click/Vueling and Spanair, both in terms of seat comfort and value for money.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us.
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11252 posts, RR: 63 Reply 16, posted (4 years 2 months 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 15210 times:
Quoting Taichen (Reply 15): I also prefer UX over IB and JK. However, ALL Spanish carriers have gone the LCC way and there is nothing such as on board service anymore.
I would advocate Air Nostrum here, very good service, even a five course meal on a short LGW-MAH flight, served in china dishes and with metal cutlery no less! My last flight on them was a few years ago, but friends who have flown them still spoke highly of the service, can it really have changed this much in a couple of years?
Taichen From Spain, joined Jul 2001, 209 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (4 years 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 14903 times:
Well I forgot YW, of course. They are by far ahead of any other Spanish carrier. Nevertheless, they have also downgraded their product recently, it still beats any other Spanish airline.
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Flown last year IB (TFN-MAD). Got a A343. Much more comfortable legroom and good seats. But no entertainment, except from the flightmap on the mainscreens around the cabin. I know that LPA also sees IB widebodies on various flights.
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