Air Europa started at the end of June 2009 a weekly flight from Tenerife to Miami with an A330-200, focused on a VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market. Miami has a large ex-pat community from the Canary Islands and this direct link saves a lot of time, as travellers do not need to fly anymore via Madrid.

The aircraft originates every Saturday in Madrid, and ends in Madrid as well. This means that the aircraft does the route Madrid-Tenerife-Miami-Tenerife-Madrid. But the flight number changes in Tenerife.

Currently, Air Europa has a good deal for the Madrid-Miami-Madrid flight via Tenerife, offering a fare in Economy class for just 471,64 Euro (196 for the fare + 278,64 for taxes). And Iberia has now the same fare for the non-stop Madrid-Miami and return flight: 471,91 Euro (246 Euro for the fare + 228,91 Euro for taxes). Just a few cents difference!!!!!

Which is more surprising is that if you just book Air Europa’s Tenerife-Miami-Tenerife flights, you will pay more than for the Madrid-Tenerife-Miami-Tenerife-Madrid flights: 555,74 Euro!

Air Europa actually plans to introduce in 2010 a non-stop flight from Madrid to Miami, which was discontinued in 1996. We will have to wait for it.

And here you have some information about Air Europa, one of the main Spanish carriers:

Air Europa’s fleet has the following aircraft:

6 Airbus A330-200 (introduced in the last 2 years)
29 Boeing B737-800
2 Boeing B767-300
4 Embraer 195.

Their main market is from Spain mainland to the islands (Canary Islands and Balearic Islands), they also operate other domestic routes such as Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Malaga or Madrid-Vigo. Some international routes are Madrid-New York, Madrid-Havana, Madrid-Buenos Aires, Madrid-Santo Domingo, Madrid-Caracas and Madrid-Cancun. To Europe, Air Europa’s top destinations are Paris, London and Rome.

So this is the report about the flight I took on September, 5th (to Miami) and on September, 12th (back to Madrid). Reason for this trip was to visit my relatives in Miami and Tallahassee, my dad was travelling with me.

These are the check-in counters in Madrid Barajas airport (terminal 2), you get both boarding cards for the two flights: Madrid-Tenerife and Tenerife-Miami.



Advertising for Air Europa in terminal 3. Above the VIP lounge Puerta del Sol



Departure of this two-and-a-half hour flight to Tenerife was at 10 am, flight number UX9051



Boarding was on a remote stand, so we were bussed to the A330-200. Widebodies usually are not docked at jetways in terminal 2/3 in Madrid (which is mainly for short or medium-haul domestic or European flights). Also, Air Europa’s A330-200s serve long-haul international flights, and the planes are parked next to terminal 1 or at jetways of this terminal. Our aircraft EC-JQQ.





Inside the aircraft (the flight was full to Tenerife). The Airbus A330-200 has a capacity of 24 seats in business class (2-2-2) and 275 seats in economy class. A total of 299 seats.







On domestic flights you get the Gusto Plus Menu, were you have to pay for the meal.



This is the on demand in-flight entertainment program, which is working on the domestic leg. 8 movies were available, on demand, and 15 music channels. Headphones are not available on the domestic leg (but you can use your own headphones), and they are sold on the international leg for 3 Euro.







Pictures from Tenerife Norte airport (Los Rodeos):







Some aircrafts in Tenerife



Our aircraft in Tenerife airport. (only few seats were empty on this flight to Miami, not many people were transferring from Madrid)



Meals on the international leg.



Before arrival:



On our way:



One of the Bahamas islands



Very close to Miami airport in the afternoon, after an eight-hour flight:



Miami airport (raining and with thunderstorms, something usual at this time of the year).



In Miami we rented a car, a Saturn Aura V6 3.6 and in less than a week we drove 1080 miles. From Miami to Tallahassee via Jacksonville, then from Talahassee to St. Augustine and back, and from Tallahassee to Miami via Tampa and Clearwater. Also we drove to Destin harbour and to Wakulla Springs (where the Tarzan movies and Airport 77 were shot). In Miami we visited some of the main tourist spots and some malls.

Destin harbour



Wakulla Springs:



The rental car:



San Marcos fortification in St. Augustine, next to Jacksonville (oldest construction in the US, built in 1565)





Clearwater:









Concerts in Bayside, Miami, in the evening:



Some pictures of the return flight back to Spain, the flight was full in economy and with a good load in business:

Miami airport: Miami Dade county welcomes Air Europa.



Check-in



The flight departure (flight UX096) was at 7 pm, gate F17



Our aircraft was again EC-JQQ (and once again it was raining in Miami with thunderstorms).



Weather conditions in Tenerife:



Meal




Leaving Florida



Breakfast:



Arriving to Tenerife





Air Berlin to Dusseldorf, and behind Air Europa’s A330 in Tenerife



Flight was full again from Tenerife to Madrid, only few passengers transferred from the Miami flight to this one.



Leaving the island



Arrival at Madrid Barajas, the aircraft was parked and docked at a jetway in terminal 1 (international flights) for the next flight. Therefore the arriving passengers from Tenerife had to exit using the rear door and use the stairs (and take a bus to terminal 2, the terminal for domestic and European flights).



I hope you enjoyed the trip report!

[Edited 2009-09-15 15:29:28]

[Edited 2009-09-15 15:39:00]

[Edited 2009-09-15 15:55:46]