Anyone flown Azores Air recently
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: New York
Programs: FlyingBlue, AsiaMiles, Miles&Smiles, United, JetBlue, British Air, Iberia, Qatar, AA, Kris Flyer
Posts: 38
Anyone flown Azores Air recently
My husband and I are trying to find one way business class fares to Paris in the Fall. The least expensive fare we can find is on Azores Air. There is a stopover in the Azores, which we can use to stay there for five days, which is definitely a plus. I know that the seats are not lie flat, but it is under six hours of flight time from NYC and neither of us sleep much on an overseas flight anyway, even in lie flat seats. Does anyone know who maintains their planes? How reliable are they? Any other info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 38
I flew YYZ to PDL this past summer in business class and lucked out with an equipment change. They swapped to a 777 (operated by EuroAtlantic Airways), so I ended up with a full lie flat seat and had a great experience. I know that doesn't really help with your question, but I would say a stopover in the Azores is definitely worth it.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 346
Flying out of the US gives you some passenger rights with the DOT.
Portuguese airlines and portuguese government could not care less about passengers. Azores had their Q400 flown to the continent as the regulator was unable to dispatch an employee to the islands for inspection. The newest A320N had to be parked for weeks for the same incompetence and Azores had to wetlease a White A320.
I am flying with that airline if it is absolutely the cheapest. Bear in mind the business class is comparable to a premium economy so I would not pay more than $1.3k return. TP often has real business class tickets starting at 1k return or Norse for 300 oneway in Premium.
The Azores are beautiful however so worthwhile the adventure of dealing with a portuguese state owned airline.
Portuguese airlines and portuguese government could not care less about passengers. Azores had their Q400 flown to the continent as the regulator was unable to dispatch an employee to the islands for inspection. The newest A320N had to be parked for weeks for the same incompetence and Azores had to wetlease a White A320.
I am flying with that airline if it is absolutely the cheapest. Bear in mind the business class is comparable to a premium economy so I would not pay more than $1.3k return. TP often has real business class tickets starting at 1k return or Norse for 300 oneway in Premium.
The Azores are beautiful however so worthwhile the adventure of dealing with a portuguese state owned airline.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: New York
Programs: FlyingBlue, AsiaMiles, Miles&Smiles, United, JetBlue, British Air, Iberia, Qatar, AA, Kris Flyer
Posts: 38
Flying out of the US gives you some passenger rights with the DOT.
Portuguese airlines and portuguese government could not care less about passengers. Azores had their Q400 flown to the continent as the regulator was unable to dispatch an employee to the islands for inspection. The newest A320N had to be parked for weeks for the same incompetence and Azores had to wetlease a White A320.
I am flying with that airline if it is absolutely the cheapest. Bear in mind the business class is comparable to a premium economy so I would not pay more than $1.3k return. TP often has real business class tickets starting at 1k return or Norse for 300 oneway in Premium.
The Azores are beautiful however so worthwhile the adventure of dealing with a portuguese state owned airline.
Portuguese airlines and portuguese government could not care less about passengers. Azores had their Q400 flown to the continent as the regulator was unable to dispatch an employee to the islands for inspection. The newest A320N had to be parked for weeks for the same incompetence and Azores had to wetlease a White A320.
I am flying with that airline if it is absolutely the cheapest. Bear in mind the business class is comparable to a premium economy so I would not pay more than $1.3k return. TP often has real business class tickets starting at 1k return or Norse for 300 oneway in Premium.
The Azores are beautiful however so worthwhile the adventure of dealing with a portuguese state owned airline.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 9,034
Safety and maintenance-wise all Portuguese airlines have high maintenance standards. I wouldn't worry about any of that
Service-wise it's hit and miss. Delay-wise it's also a bit hit and miss, but if there's a delay it won't be for more than an hour or two.
Their 330s have angle-flat seats, while the 320s/321s have either a blocked middle or a 2+3 config with a slightly wider biz seat.
On visiting the Azores, fall is the best time to visit - it's still warm enough and usually not very rainy, no crowds, and the ocean water is warm enough to swim in (unlike in Continental Portugal). If you want to see no people, do a side trip to any other island. So Miguel (where PDL is) has 140k people, Terceira has about 50k, while others have 5-20k, so you'll likely see more cows than people
Service-wise it's hit and miss. Delay-wise it's also a bit hit and miss, but if there's a delay it won't be for more than an hour or two.
Their 330s have angle-flat seats, while the 320s/321s have either a blocked middle or a 2+3 config with a slightly wider biz seat.
On visiting the Azores, fall is the best time to visit - it's still warm enough and usually not very rainy, no crowds, and the ocean water is warm enough to swim in (unlike in Continental Portugal). If you want to see no people, do a side trip to any other island. So Miguel (where PDL is) has 140k people, Terceira has about 50k, while others have 5-20k, so you'll likely see more cows than people
#6
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 346
Safety and maintenance-wise all Portuguese airlines have high maintenance standards. I wouldn't worry about any of that
Service-wise it's hit and miss. Delay-wise it's also a bit hit and miss, but if there's a delay it won't be for more than an hour or two.
Their 330s have angle-flat seats, while the 320s/321s have either a blocked middle or a 2+3 config with a slightly wider biz seat.
On visiting the Azores, fall is the best time to visit - it's still warm enough and usually not very rainy, no crowds, and the ocean water is warm enough to swim in (unlike in Continental Portugal). If you want to see no people, do a side trip to any other island. So Miguel (where PDL is) has 140k people, Terceira has about 50k, while others have 5-20k, so you'll likely see more cows than people
Service-wise it's hit and miss. Delay-wise it's also a bit hit and miss, but if there's a delay it won't be for more than an hour or two.
Their 330s have angle-flat seats, while the 320s/321s have either a blocked middle or a 2+3 config with a slightly wider biz seat.
On visiting the Azores, fall is the best time to visit - it's still warm enough and usually not very rainy, no crowds, and the ocean water is warm enough to swim in (unlike in Continental Portugal). If you want to see no people, do a side trip to any other island. So Miguel (where PDL is) has 140k people, Terceira has about 50k, while others have 5-20k, so you'll likely see more cows than people
2-3 Config?
What airline are you refering to?
#7
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LIS
Programs: FB LTPE, TP Gold, All Gold
Posts: 1,200
I second that. You'll love the Azores.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 9,034
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2020
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#11
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My almost-senior parents who go often, and have in the past travelled their share up front, would now rather fly Azores Y directly and quickly than go via Europe in J. Go figure.