Name: Air Europa 787-9 Economy Class
Brand: Air Europa
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)

Air Europa is one of the few carriers that operate the 787 on short-haul flights within Europe, from Madrid to Amsterdam, Barcelona, and a few other destinations. As part of my EuroBonus Millionaire challenge, I could do a quick back-and-forth to Madrid and test out their Economy Class cabin on their 787-9 and their 737-800. Here’s a quick roundup of my experience, comparing the service and comfort.

TL;DR: Air Europa’s 787-9 offers a far better experience than their 737-800 on short-haul routes. More space, IFE, WiFi, and USB-C make it a clear winner. Great for SkyTeam mileage runs.

Route	AMS-MAD-AMS
Flight	UX1098 & UX1093
Cabin	Economy Class
Equipment	Boeing 787-9 & Boeing 737-800
Aircraft	EC-NGS & EC-LXV
Flight Time	Approx. 2h

How I Booked This Trip

These two flights were standard revenue tickets paid with cash. I had the chance to book them during a Black Friday sale, so I paid $122 in total ($80 + $42). Interestingly, the connection time was too short (1 hour), so the system didn’t let me do a single round-trip booking. Instead, I took the risk and booked them as two one-way tickets, mainly because there were many backup options if I didn’t make it to my return flight, and the second leg was much cheaper that way. These flights were my 9th and 10th flights of my EuroBonus Millionaire trip.

Want to find award availability on Air Europa? Use AwardFares to search across SkyTeam partners.

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Flight 1: Amsterdam to Madrid (Air Europa 787-9 Economy Class)

Check-In

I managed to check in online and even added my SK frequent flyer number. The first flight was relatively early, so I arrived at the airport terminal early and with plenty of time to go through security. I wasn’t checking in any luggage, so I just printed my boarding pass using a self-service machine and then went through fast-track security. I was at the airport in under 10 minutes.

Boarding

While going through security, I got a notification that my flight was delayed ~40 minutes. I used a Visa Airport Companion pass to get into a lounge and do some work. As the plane was getting closer (tracked via Flighty), I decided to head to the gate to take some pictures.

I managed to spot the plane while it was taxiing towards the gate. It took a while for everyone to disembark and another while for them to start boarding. I could use the SkyPriority lane to board in Zone 1.

Air Europa 787-9 Economy Class Review from Amsterdam to Madrid

Cabin & Seat

As we boarded, the crew greeted us and sent us to our seats. We entered through the central gate, so we didn’t go through the Business Class cabin. I had a window seat near the wings, on the plane’s left side.

Overall, the cabin felt fresh and modern. It’s a nice feeling when you take a short flight on such a big aircraft. There was some background music playing, but the cabin lights were bright.

The legroom is fine, and I would say it’s great for a two-hour flight. I had tried Air Europa’s A330 Economy Class a few years ago, and the legroom was horrible. They have significantly improved when ordering these new planes. The folding tray table is solid and gives enough room for a computer, although you have to be careful if the front passenger reclines the seat.

One great detail was that the IFE/screen had both USB-C and USB-A outlets, one of the few airlines I’ve seen so far with this gadget. The IFE was very responsive and modern.

Taxi & Takeoff

The crew hurried to wrap up the boarding process, and you could tell they were in a rush. A safety video was played while the flight attendants were doing the final cabin check. We taxied for roughly 15 minutes before taking off. Despite the day being very cloudy and rainy and with low visibility, the takeoff was calm and smooth.

WIFI

Right after we took off, there was an announcement about the free WIFI onboard. I tried connecting from both my phone and computer, and the experience was very straightforward.

Lavatory

I quickly visited one of the lavatories in the center of the cabin, which are usually nice and spacious in the 787. This one looked fresh and tidy, but the flight was short. It would be good to compare the service when flying long-haul on this aircraft.

Snack

Air Europa offers an in-flight menu full of options, from drinks and cold sandwiches to hot meals. I didn’t purchase anything on this flight, as I had a snack at the lounge in AMS.

Approach & Landing

I managed to finish some work for the rest of the short flight. The approach in Madrid usually takes longer, so we started the descent about 30 minutes before landing. The landing was a bit windy. After touching down, we taxied for roughly 15 minutes until we reached a remote parking position. Once we arrived, the buses were not ready, and we had to wait for another 15 minutes for them to come. This was a problem for me as I had a very short layover before my return flight, and it was risking my connection.

Flight 2: Madrid to Amsterdam (Air Europa 737-800 Economy Class)

Transit in Madrid Barajas

When the bus dropped off at Terminal 2, my next flight was ready for boarding. I started sprinting towards the gate, and luckily enough, I didn’t have to switch terminals. It was just a long run (~8 mins at a breakneck pace), but I finally arrived JUST IN TIME to board. I had no time to spare, but I got the chance to take some pictures of the aircraft as we were boarding.

Boarding, Seat & Cabin

The return flight was on an older 737-800 with a standard economy cabin, so much less interesting than the previous flight. There was no IFE or WIFI, but the plane did have Boeing’s Sky Interior. The cabin is entirely Economy Class in a 3-3 configuration, with a compromised pitch and no recline. It’s okay for 1h-2h flights, but tight for more.

The boarding process was loud and a bit chaotic, but also quick. All passengers were seated in less than 20 minutes, and the cabin was getting ready for departure.

Takeoff

As we pushed back, the crew played a safety video. We taxied for about 15 minutes to the runway, and as we were getting closer, I saw an Aerolíneas Argentinas A330 touching down directly from Buenos Aires (EZE).

The takeoff was very smooth and scenic. The sky was very clear that afternoon, and Bajaras looked beautiful.

The crew passed by about 30 minutes after takeoff, offering (paid) snacks and drinks. Once again, I didn’t purchase anything, and I also didn’t use the lavatories on this flight. I got some time to work and then decided to watch the beautiful sunset while listening to some music.

Approach & Landing

The rest of the flight was uneventful. The approach in Amsterdam was windy and rainy, but there were no delays. Once we touched down, it took us 10 minutes to get to the gate (C area), close to Transavia’s operation.

Video Review

Summary

Overall, my experience with Air Europa was correct. The main downside was the big inbound delay that almost made me lose my return flight. Other than that, the crew was polite, and the in-flight service was decent. When it comes to the hard product, there is a big difference between the 737 and the 787, which they mainly use internationally. The 787 has a much better cabin, is more comfortable, has WIFI and IFE, and does a much better job. The soft product is essentially the same, with the same snack menu. I had a better experience than other low-cost airlines for the price I paid. Compared to full-service airlines like KLM, or Air France, I would not choose Air Europa over them.

Want to find award availability on Air Europa? Use AwardFares to search across SkyTeam partners.

Air Europa Economy Class Review: 787-9 vs 737-800 Comparison

How I Booked This Trip

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