SATA Air Azores

Manchester to Ponta Delgado on San Miguel in the Azores. Got no food or drink for about 3 hours (around 22.00). Had to get off in Gatwick for 1.5 hours while the plane was being cleaned and food put on. Baggage lost for 3 days for self and friend. Trying to get compensation. They won't accept receipts unless the item is named. Now I have to search for the Iban code and BIC/Swift code before we can receive anything. Another member of our crew lost his baggage the next day and 30 other bags had been lost at the same time!

Manchester-Ponta Delgada return avoiding dust situation fortunately. Preferable in-flight service to most crew pleasant meal and wine agreeable. Most satisfied - would look forward to further flights SATA Azores.

We recently travelled to Sao Miguel with 10 members of my family and had a good flight there from the UK. Unfortunately we couldn't fly back to the UK as planned due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. SATA booked us all into a hotel and provided meals for 5 days at their expense until we could be repatriated. A First class service! Well done.

Boston to Azores was on time and a fine flight but the way back was a disaster. Our flight was supposed to take off at 5:45 got delayed to 7:45 delayed again until 8:30 and we finally took off round 10:30pm. This was not due to weather or any unforeseen circumstances it was all SATA's doing. The flight was half full so we think they were trying to get another feeder flight into the flight from Lisbon to make the flight more profitable. Apparently the same thing happened to the flight earlier in the week. They covered dinner at the Ponta Delgada Airport which was nice but they did not cover anything else. We missed our connection in Boston had to stay overnight (at our own cost) and pay higher fees for new tickets the next morning. They said that is was not their policy to cover any other travel issues for any of their customers even if the issues were caused by SATA. Interesting that they promised to upgrade us to Business Class if it was available but when the time came they said they could not - even though seats were available. They said that there were not enough Business Class dinners and as a result they could not let anyone sit in those seats (even if the passengers didn't care to have dinner or were OK with a Coach Class dinner). We were both surprised and astonished but could do nothing since they are the only carrier that goes to the Azores. We will try to avoid this airline at all costs. You should do the same they clearly do not understand the meaning of basic customer service.

Boston to Lisbon and back. The flights were on time. Pleasant crew and food great. Felt very relaxed all the way. The price is the best you could find for this time of the year. I would recommend SATA airlines.

SATA have just reduced their two weekly flights from London to PDL to one per week from June 2009 and will not be offering Winter 2009/10 flights. The situation occurred due to the excessive flight prices on average £280-£350 return and is so uncompetitive that flights are running half empty. You can fly to Asia or Canada for the same price. The service on board SATA I found to be very good and quite relaxed but not reflective of the price. With a bit of foresight and good marketing this could be a very successful route. There is currently no other competition except for a code share with TAP which offers the same expensive fare. What a great shame for everyone especially the islands which are beautiful but trapped with only one uncompetitive airline living in a bygone era of state control.

I used them when travelling between Madeira and Las Palmas/Gran Canaria. Plane was a BAe quite old and uncomfortable although they are currently renovating their fleet. Absolutely no food except water or juices in 1.5hrs and paying a considerable expensive price. Not value for money at all.

Manchester to Ponta Delgada Sao Miguel. Sadly the plane was less than one-fifth full. They deserve better. The crew were attentive very pleasant and very helpful with a never-ending supply of free drinks as well as an adequate meal. I would definitely travel with SATA again.

Manchester to Ponta Delgada via Gatwick. Crew friendly and onboard service was excellent. Newspapers meals and drinks all included in the price of £175 return. I had a nice Portuguese wine and was offered a second drink. On the return the chicken was a bit overcooked but other than that 2 enjoyable flights - something that is rare these days.

SATA My husband & I flew to the Acores return. The flight crews were helpful and pleasant and food was what you would expect on a flight. When winds did not allow our flight from Faial to Flores to depart we were put up in and excellent hotel where SATA paid for all meals and accommodation. Outstanding service!