PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 13980 times:
Background
After my girlfriend and I had booked the holiday package to Portugal I soon started searching for interesting side trip options. I knew about SATA Air Açores' flights between Madeira and the neighboring island Porto Santo (distance approximately 57 km), so I checked schedules and fares. Unfortunately, the good old BAe ATP had been replaced on the route in early 2010, but its successor, the DHC-8-200, was still missing in my log, too. And of course, SATA Air Açores would also be a new airline for me. Round trip fares were reasonable, but going on exactly the same plane twice wouldn't be very attractive. Finally we decided to combine a one-way 20-minute SATA flight with a one-way 2-hour ride on the Porto Santo Line ferry "Lobo Marinho", operating mostly daily between Funchal and Porto Santo. The one-way ferry ride cost only half as much as the SATA flight so we decided to accept the small surcharge for First Class tickets. So we would take the ferry to Porto Santo in the morning, spend a few hours there and return to Madeira on SATA in the early afternoon.
Funchal-Porto Santo on "Lobo Marinho"
Shortly after 7:00 in the morning we took a taxi to Funchal harbor and arrived at the busy pier only a few minutes later:
The ro-ro ship "Lobo Marinho" has a length of 112 meters and a capacity of 1150 passengers and 145 cars. It is equipped with several bars, restaurants, shops, a cinema, a multimedia room, a playground for children and a sun deck. The maiden voyage took place in June 2003.
After stepping on board we immediately went to the First Class lounge aka "Salão Estrela do Mar":
It's equipped with comfortable leather armchairs and a bar:
All First Class passengers can enjoy a free breakfast buffet - the choice of items is limited, though:
The First Class lounge is located on the 7th floor above the bridge so you can enjoy nice views from outside:
Still very busy down there:
Portuguese Navy vessel:
The "Santa Maria", a replica of Columbus’ ship, is used for day cruises along Madeira’s coast:
We left the pier on time:
While we were passing the airport, a Jetairfly Boeing 737-700 turned in and landed on runway 05:
The wind was blowing nastily as we left behind the coast...
We were planning to have an extended breakfast, but not even 30 minutes after leaving the harbor the stewards already started to remove the buffet items. I was wondering about that, but some time later the reason became clear: rough sea! I'm quite immune to turbulence and rough swell, but it was impressive how the ship was shaken by the waves. The water even slapped against the front windows of the lounge.
Nevertheless, sitting around was boring, so we explored the other sections of the ship. Lobby with shops:
Economy Class:
The current "Lobo Marinho"...
...and its predecessor of the same name:
Helicopter landing field on the very top:
Deck plan:
Two hours after leaving Funchal we were approaching Porto Santo:
One of the island's most important attractions is a nine kilometer long white sand beach - something that virtually doesn't exist on Madeira:
Most of the island’s population lives in the little town of Vila Baleira:
Porto Santo Airport is just one kilometer away from Vila Baleira:
Only a few more minutes to go:
Many taxis and some busses were waiting at the pier:
There was a huge crowd of people waiting in the lobby, so after the ship put in it took about ten more minutes until we could walk outside. View from the pier:
15 minutes later a public bus brought us to Vila Baleira which is about two kilometers away from the pier.
Impressions from Porto Santo
First of all we went to the island's fabulous miles long beach:
"Lobo Marinho" from the distance:
Then we walked down a wooden foot bridge wherefrom we could enjoy beautiful views:
Vila Baleira is a nice little town...
...but be aware that the number of attractions is limited. After some shopping we took a taxi to the airport about one hour prior to departure. We could have chosen an evening flight instead of the early afternoon flight, but we had never been really interested in a bus tour around the small island and we wanted to be back at our hotel for dinner...
The airport itself was built by the NATO in 1960, the new terminal building was opened in 1995:
Tower:
View of Vila Baleira from the airport:
Monday, 21 June 2010
Porto Santo (PXO) - Madeira (FNC)
SATA Air Açores SP1695
13:30-13:50 (13:24-13:42)
Flying time: 00:11 (hrs)
Economy Class, Seat 9D
Bombardier DHC-8Q-202
CS-TRC (MSN 480), named "Faial"
First delivered to Horizon Airlines as N347PH in 05/1997
The terminal was mostly deserted, only two more SATA flights to Madeira and a Viking Airlines flight to the UK were scheduled on that day. A friendly female agent checked us in and told us that there would be free seating. Then we passed security and went to the gate where some other Madeira-bound passengers were watching the FIFA World Cup match between Portugal and North Korea which would end 7:0:
Our Dash 8-200 arrived on time: It was CS-TRC, built in May 1997 and delivered to SATA Air Açores in May 2009. It’s one of two DHC-8-200s in the SATA fleet:
While walking to the aircraft I used the chance to take several pictures:
CS-TRC is named "Faial" - that’s an island of the central group of the Azores:
A friendly male flight attendant in the 50s welcomed us on board and we walked down to the last row. The plane is equipped with comfortable leather seats:
Legroom is quite generous:
All passengers had taken their seats quickly (load factor about 50 percent), so we left the parking position six minutes ahead of schedule and taxied straight to runway 18:
We lifted off after a short takeoff roll:
Two minutes later we were cruising over the clouds:
Cabin shot:
Seven minutes after leaving the ground we were already overflying Madeira's striking coastline:
Caniçal:
Another approach to the "aircraft carrier's" runway 05:
Unfortunately, I was facing the sun after the plane turned right for final approach. We touched down after a flying time of only 11 minutes - no doubts, this was my shortest flight ever:
Some minutes later a bus brought us to the terminal building and we went straight to the observation deck.
TAP A319 and Thomas Cook and Finnair 757s:
The other side of the apron:
I zoomed in and took a last picture of CS-TRC - I really like SATA's new livery:
After the Thomas Cook 757 had been pushed back I could see the other plane's registration - and I was pleased that it was OH-LBT, the last missing Finnair 757:
TAP A319 turning right immediately after liftoff:
There weren't any more interesting movements to expect, so we took the shuttle back to the city. No doubts, it was a really enjoyable trip to Porto Santo.
Conclusion
The flight on SATA Air Açores was very short, but still very enjoyable. Staff members were friendly, the flight operated on time, the plane was in good shape and seating was quite comfortable. I wouldn't hesitate to fly on SATA Air Açores again.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): A friendly male flight attendant in the 50s welcomed us on board and we walked down to the last row. The plane is equipped with comfortable leather seats:
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5698 posts, RR: 39 Reply 3, posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 13711 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Interesting - can you recommend a ship/plane combo on that route?
It's a long ferry ride! Probably much much rougher on average than what you would have experienced.. I guess it depends on what season you pick too. And it could be a challenge getting to BHE from Picton - the seaside port which is about 20km from Blenheim. Interislander Ferry vs Air NZ Link's (scheduled) 25 minute B1900D flight.
Luxair747SP From Germany, joined May 2010, 449 posts, RR: 18 Reply 4, posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 13309 times:
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Hi PH
really nice TR of a place which is not covered that much, but looks as it is a good location for a relaxing holiday.
The Terminal there looks quite huge, were there some other departures on the same day?
And you just won over my Q400 flight LUX - SCN which took 12 minutes.
Anyway very pleasant reading
Thanks for sharing
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): Nice, you can also spot planes like this coming into WLG when leaving/arriving on the ferry from/to downtown Wellington.
WLG is just beautiful as is all things in NZ really miss AKL
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 5, posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 13281 times:
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 3): It's a long ferry ride! Probably much much rougher on average than what you would have experienced.. I guess it depends on what season you pick too. And it could be a challenge getting to BHE from Picton - the seaside port which is about 20km from Blenheim. Interislander Ferry vs Air NZ Link's (scheduled) 25 minute B1900D flight.
Sounds really interesting!
Quoting Luxair747SP (Reply 4): really nice TR of a place which is not covered that much, but looks as it is a good location for a relaxing holiday.
akhmad From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2336 posts, RR: 53 Reply 10, posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 13030 times:
Hi PH,
Another amazing trademark of yours with lots of beautiful pictures! I especially like your ferry trip report and the scenery of the long sandy beach of Porto Santo. It reminds me a bit of my own trip to Karimunjawa. Though, your ferry is definitely bigger and more luxurious than ours.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Round trip fares were reasonable, but going on exactly the same plane twice wouldn't be very attractive.
Wow, did Columbus really cross the ocean with it? Just compare it to your ferry.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): was wondering about that, but some time later the reason became clear: rough sea! I'm quite immune to turbulence and rough swell, but it was impressive how the ship was shaken by the waves.
Yikes, not my cup of tea! I think I would have to stay away from any further ferry trip.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): the FIFA World Cup match between Portugal and North Korea which would end 7:0:
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 11, posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 13006 times:
Quoting akhmad (Reply 10): Another amazing trademark of yours with lots of beautiful pictures! I especially like your ferry trip report and the scenery of the long sandy beach of Porto Santo. It reminds me a bit of my own trip to Karimunjawa.
Hi Suryo, many thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 10): Wow, did Columbus really cross the ocean with it? Just compare it to your ferry.
Amazing, isn't it? That ship looks really small by today's standards.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 10): Yikes, not my cup of tea! I think I would have to stay away from any further ferry trip.
It can get really bad out there between Madeira and Porto Santo. Sometimes they have to cancel the trip, especially in the winter months.
FLIEGER67 From Bulgaria, joined Sep 2003, 4420 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 12797 times:
Hi, PH,
great pictures and story, nothing else expected from your sidetrip to Porto Santo.
An island also in my log, you know, secured on the FNC-PXO-FNC legs with SATA´s ATP short prior to the Dash services.
A really good idea to compare the ferry and the flight, aways nice to take different forms of transport.
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 13, posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 12787 times:
Hi PH,
Great report and fantastic pictures about your trip. The First Class section on the ferry looks nice - a pity you couldn't really enjoy the whole breakfast. I also liked your pictures of Porto Santo - seems to be a good destination for a short visit.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Unfortunately, the good old BAe ATP had been replaced on the route in early 2010, but its successor, the DHC-8-200, was still missing in my log, too.
Doesn't sound too bad - the Dash 8-200 is a very rare bird too.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): While we were passing the airport, a Jetairfly Boeing 737-700 turned in and landed on runway 05
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6112 posts, RR: 56 Reply 15, posted (2 years 7 months 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 12680 times:
Hi PH!
Very nice report again with great pictues! I'm glad that you don't get seasick easily because it's a terrible feeling......trust me on that
What's the difference in cost between the ferry and the flight ?
That's a very short flight, 11mns !!!! My shortest was SNA-LAX for a total of 16 mins on a Embraer 120.
Looking forward to your next report!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1759 posts, RR: 25 Reply 16, posted (2 years 7 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 12431 times:
PlaneHunter,
Another really nice report! Your pictures were really good .. looks like you had a nice trip! Very beautiful place it looks like.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 17, posted (2 years 7 months 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 12308 times:
Quoting The777Man (Reply 15): Very nice report again with great pictues!
Hi Lars, many thanks for your reply!
Quoting The777Man (Reply 15): I'm glad that you don't get seasick easily because it's a terrible feeling......trust me on that
Yes, I hope that.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 15): What's the difference in cost between the ferry and the flight ?
If you buy one-way tickets, the flight costs about twice as much. However, the fares are cheaper for residents.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 15): My shortest was SNA-LAX for a total of 16 mins on a Embraer 120.
Interesting flight. I just found out that it's almost exactly the same distance!
Quoting 767747 (Reply 16): Another really nice report! Your pictures were really good .. looks like you had a nice trip! Very beautiful place it looks like.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6112 posts, RR: 56 Reply 18, posted (2 years 7 months 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 12265 times:
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 17): Quoting The777Man (Reply 15):
My shortest was SNA-LAX for a total of 16 mins on a Embraer 120.
Interesting flight. I just found out that it's almost exactly the same distance!
Thanks for the info! OO stopped that route about three years ago so I tried it before it was discontinued. I flew LAX-SNA-LAX and was only in SNA for about 10 mins.......Very scenic flight over the metro Los Angeles area. OO also stopped LAX-ONT at about the same time.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 17): If you buy one-way tickets, the flight costs about twice as much. However, the fares are cheaper for residents.
That makes sense. Good idea to have the ferry service for people to bring cars of need be.
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 20, posted (2 years 7 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 12254 times:
Hi PH,
A nice one. Somehow the combination of planes and ferries seems very familiar to me right now...
Looks like you had quite a nice if a bit rough ride on that ferry, definitely a good way to enjoy a couple of hours. Porto Santo looks like a nice place, makes me wonder why didn't I add it to my free day at Madeira this summer?
Like the looks of that Dash plane, and yes, the SATA livery is very pretty.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Unfortunately, the good old BAe ATP had been replaced on the route in early 2010, but its successor, the DHC-8-200, was still missing in my log, too.
Hey, just flew an ATP this week in Sweden, report to follow. But the -200 Dash is also a good catch, never flown on anything but the -300 and -400s myself.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): All First Class passengers can enjoy a free breakfast buffet - the choice of items is limited, though:
So all you got for your FC ticket was access to this lounge and breakfast? Or was the bar service free as well? How much was the difference in ticket prices?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): While we were passing the airport, a Jetairfly Boeing 737-700 turned in and landed on runway 05:
Nice shots!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): The airport itself was built by the NATO in 1960, the new terminal building was opened in 1995:
Hmm, I seem to recall that this airport has a particularly long runway thanks to its roots as a military airport. Is this so or am I confusing it with something in the Azores?
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Unfortunately, I was facing the sun after the plane turned right for final approach.
Your second time and you haven't yet learned to sit on the other side for some variation and hair raising views of the hillsides whizzing past!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): We touched down after a flying time of only 11 minutes - no doubts, this was my shortest flight ever:
I beat you on this - mine is JER-GCI which I've done twice, it's only 24 miles versus your 36! . I've flown that route twice, it took around 15 minutes or so with an Aurigny Trislander but I think only around 10 with the Blue Islamnds ATR...
Another interesting route and I think the second shortest route in my log is the short domestic hop in Finland, VRK-SVL at 38 miles - that didn't take too long on a Golden Air Saab 340 either:
RAFVC10 From Spain, joined Sep 2005, 1980 posts, RR: 7 Reply 21, posted (2 years 7 months 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 12216 times:
Hi Planehunter,
as usual, nice trip report.
How much is the cost the ship in 1st class? And just another question: a Viking airlines flight scheduled at Porto Santo? I have understood that was a very little airport and I thought there are not enough runway to land or take off a "big" aircraft like A320 or M80...
Anyway, and repeating said first, nice work!
Regards.
Gerard
El dia que los gilipollas vuelen, no podremos ver la luz del sol!
Palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 1053 posts, RR: 16 Reply 22, posted (2 years 7 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 11944 times:
Very nice short report from you Planehunter. Agree, I also like SATA's colour scheme on the Dash 8 and it looked very cosy. I am booked on a Dash 8 - 100 in Australia in March, which makes 8 stops and lasts 8 hours - from Brisbane to Mt Isa. I can hardly wait !
Thanks for posting this and of course, some fantastic photos from the trip. Looking forward to the next . Cheers P/jet
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 24, posted (2 years 7 months 7 hours ago) and read 11309 times:
Quoting The777Man (Reply 18): I flew LAX-SNA-LAX and was only in SNA for about 10 mins.......Very scenic flight over the metro Los Angeles area. OO also stopped LAX-ONT at about the same time.
It's too bad that these flights aren't available any more.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 19): Hey another nice report. Very nice pictures of the Island.
Thanks for your feedback, Phil!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 20): A nice one. Somehow the combination of planes and ferries seems very familiar to me right now...
Many thanks for your comments!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 20): Porto Santo looks like a nice place, makes me wonder why didn't I add it to my free day at Madeira this summer?
Well, I'm sure you will squeeze in a FNC-PXO-FNC round trip on one of your 100-200 journeys next year...
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 20): So all you got for your FC ticket was access to this lounge and breakfast? Or was the bar service free as well? How much was the difference in ticket prices?
FC cost about ten Euro more per person. Bar service was not included.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 20): Hmm, I seem to recall that this airport has a particularly long runway thanks to its roots as a military airport. Is this so or am I confusing it with something in the Azores?
You are right, the runway is more than 3000 meters long.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 20): Your second time and you haven't yet learned to sit on the other side for some variation and hair raising views of the hillsides whizzing past!
Yes, I preferred to see the airport again. But I may change next time...
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 20): I beat you on this - mine is JER-GCI which I've done twice, it's only 24 miles versus your 36!
JER-GCI came to my mind first when I was thinking about very short routes.
Quoting RAFVC10 (Reply 21): Anyway, and repeating said first, nice work!
Thanks a lot, Gerard!
Quoting RAFVC10 (Reply 21):
How much is the cost the ship in 1st class?
We paid 36 Euro per person.
Quoting RAFVC10 (Reply 21): And just another question: a Viking airlines flight scheduled at Porto Santo? I have understood that was a very little airport and I thought there are not enough runway to land or take off a "big" aircraft like A320 or M80...
The airport is small and not very busy, but the runway is more than 3000 meters long.
Quoting Palmjet (Reply 22): Very nice short report from you Planehunter.
Quoting Palmjet (Reply 22): Thanks for posting this and of course, some fantastic photos from the trip.
Many thanks, Palmjet!
Quoting Palmjet (Reply 22): I am booked on a Dash 8 - 100 in Australia in March, which makes 8 stops and lasts 8 hours - from Brisbane to Mt Isa. I can hardly wait !
Wow, that sounds really interesting. I guess we can expect a nice series of reports?
Quoting Luftfahrer (Reply 23): Very enjoyable continuation of your journey PlaneHunter, thanks for sharing. Also, fantastic photographs all along.
Hi Marius, thanks a lot for your comments! Good to hear you liked it.
PH
Nothing's worse than flying the same reg twice!
25 DunaA320: Hi PH Thanks for sharing and great photos. Nice to have a mix of the Plane and the boat in your report. Whats the observation deck at FNC like? I reme
26 MSS658: Nice plane and ship report. I enjoyed reading it, I'm glad that you were able to get on the DH8, I have a DH8 flight coming up in December. I enjoyed
27 ronerone: An excellent follow-on to your 'Porto' series PH! The pictures are excellent as always, and the views are simply stunning! .. I really must visit Port
28 sultanils: Hi PH, A good report with very nice pics, thanks for that. I'm always amazed how some airlines have this very short hops (you mention 7 mins flight ti
29 PlaneHunter: Hi Matt, thanks a lot for your comments! That's a great place, you can find some more pictures in the other report: Awesome Approach, Splendid Scener
30 parton87: Hello Planehunter! Thank you for another great report with really nice pictures. I must say that the little dash8 looks really good in the SATA livery
31 PlaneHunter: Hi Robert, thanks for your feedback! Good to hear you liked it! PH
32 infodesk: Hi PH, A great plane / boat combo - always makes for interesting reading. 11minutes in the air or 2 hours on rough seas, I know which I'd go for!! The
33 airbuseric: Hi PH, nice little report on SATA. As you say, the DHC 8-200 series is quite unique in Europe. I'm happy with my turn on euroManx single example they
34 MSS658: DH8-300 on a flight from GSP to CLT on US Airways (Piedmont). Flight will be complete in darkness, but wil do my best to make some decent pictures.
35 PlaneHunter: Many thanks for your comments, Hannah! Yes, really interesting configuration. Porto Santo is an ideal place for such diversions. Hi Eric, thanks for
36 Ps76: Hello(!), Just to say many thanks for the trip report and pics. I was in Madeira with my aunt a couple of years ago and we went to Porto Santo for a d
37 PlaneHunter: Hi Pierre, thanks for your comments. Must have been very nice to swim there, the beach is fabulous. PH
38 fshplns: My shortest was IAH- HOU on CALs Proud Bird Express, 25 minutes chock to chock (airline lingo) Total flying time of 7 minutes over downtown Houston.
39 PlaneHunter: Wow, must have a great experience on that nice little plane. PH
40 fshplns: My company would invariably put us non-revs in the last row right next the engines (and no windows for that row).
41 PlaneHunter: Yes, I know these kind of seats on the DC-9s. But at least you got on the DC-9-10... PH
42 trintocan: This was a great trip report PlaneHunter. Ship vs plane - a very good comparison indeed. While we all love our planes a ship journey cannot hurt and g
43 PlaneHunter: Thanks a lot, TrinToCan, that's nice to hear! Definitely an interesting route! Very impressive! PH
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