Air Europa

Air Europa was founded in 1986 by the British ILG-Air Europe company and initially began flying charter flights for holiday makers from European cities and the many resorts that dot the Mediterranean. Its growth saw it branch out to providing scheduled flights becoming the first private Spanish airline to do so. Its current owners are Globalia Corporacion Empresarial, a large holding company with a range of travel and leisure-related assets. Air Europa is in the process of becoming an associate member of SkyTeam Alliance.

The SkyTeam Alliance is the second largest airline alliance in the world behind Star Alliance). It also has built codeshare partnerships with Air France, KLM, Cubana de Aviacion, Northwest Airlines and Aeromexico. Air Europa has its main base in Palma de Mallorca at Son Sant Juan Airport with its key routes being between north and west Europe and the tourist resorts in the Balearic Islands and the Canaries and long-haul routes to the Caribbean and North America. Its fleet is made up primarily of Boeing 737’s with several 767’s making up the balance. Their frequent flyer program is called Fidelitas but is due to be merged into the Flying Blue program owned by KLM and Air France in June 2007.

With its headquarters in Palma on the island of Majorca, Spain, AirEuropa is a low-cost airline operating scheduled and charter flights to multiple holiday destinations like the Canaries, the Balearics and the Caribbean. This network of outgoing destinations also includes London, Rome, Paris, Tunisia, Budapest and multiple North and South American cities.

AirEuropa was founded in 1986 as Air España and operated mostly charter flights to resort destinations along the Mediterranean. Later, it became the first private airline in Spain to schedule regular (non-charter) domestic traffic. In 2006 the company announced its partnership with the Sky Team Alliance, giving its passengers access to a variety of reciprocal benefits across the globe.

The AirEuropa fleet is 35-strong and composed completely of late generation Boeing aircraft, most of them 737s. A lone Airbus A330 is also included on the roster. In-flight meals are served on board these aircraft; first class may choose from an a la carte menu while coach passengers will receive standard concessions depending on the length of the flight. Other services in the air include in-flight videos and full feature-length films on long-haul flights.

On the ground in many of the airports AirEuropa passengers are entitled to enjoy the VIP lounges. Most of these lounges are equipped with business facilities, a bar, snacks and wireless internet. The lounge levies a flat fee and admittance is not restricted based on the class of ticket.

AirEuropa is not a pure-bred member of the discount airline craze. It's a much older company with two decades of experience as compared to most no-frills airlines, which have only sprung up in the last 5-6 years. Instead, it has adapted to a mixed bag of tourists, business and jet-set elite customers with flight packages tailored to all tastes. It's possible to book an economy-class seat at a competitive rate, but full service amenities are also available to those who don't mind spending a little more.