SATA Air Azores

Customer Reviews

3 star Skytrax Rating
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Seat Comfort 12345
Staff Service 12345
Value for Money 12345
Customer rating from 168 reviews
4/10
3 star Skytrax Rating
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9/10

"A really good experience"

(Canada)

Trip Verified | A really good experience from start to finish. The staff at the Azores Airlines office in Toronto were polite and efficient and did a great job of booking our flights and advising us and making a small adjustment when the schedules changed. Then, in the midst of horrible Christmas weather causing continent wide flight disruptions, we had a surprisingly positive check in experience at Toronto Pearson - 25 minutes in total from entering the airport (total chaos inside with other airlines) until our first glass of wine after security. The first flight left Toronto about 1 hour late but the connecting flight in Ponta Delgada, Azores was held and we arrived in Madeira about 30 minutes late. A nice touch - when we landed in the Azores it was pouring rain so, instead of the usual 200 foot outside walk to the terminal, Azores Airlines provided a covered staircase and a bus, limiting our exposure to the outside weather to no more than 5 feet. In addition to our checked luggage, the SATA Azores Airlines check in staff were happy to put our carry on bags in the hold all the way to Madeira at no additional cost so we carried only our one personal item. On board staff were friendly and courteous and advised us of progress. Food on board all flights was OK. We have been flying this route for 10 years now and, despite weather and small fleet challenges, we have never had a bad experience similar to what other reviewers have had.
AircraftA321 neo / A320 100/200
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteToronto to Funchal via Ponta Delgada
Date FlownDecember 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
yes
2/10

"no digital trace of our luggage"

(Canada)

Trip Verified | Not my first flight, unfortunately not my last either. Flight was scheduled le leave at 20:25. Flight S40322 Dec 16/22. I arrived 3 hours ahead to the check in counter. 1st strike I was pretty much requested to check in my carry on leaving me with my small back pack. I accepted hesitantly as I always pack my small carry on for 3 days. My meds, supplements, some personal hygiene, an extra set of clothes. Cleared security. Got to the gate, 1 hour later we were advised the flight is delayed. Fair enough. A second announcement was for a boarding gate change. From b41, to b40. Another hour, flight is delayed. A 4 announcement another boarding gate change to b38. Was mention it was the requested by the airport . 2.5 hours later boarding begins. Ufff happy of course to get on the plane. Departure is 2.5 hours late. Probably one of the most uncomfortable flights I’ve taken in a long time. We arrive in Ponta Delgada. Late, I missed my connection. I had to take my 3 bags, 2 x 23 kg, plus my carry on. The carousel stops. No bags. There are 20 people waiting for bags, parents with kids several with connections like me. All of us at the counter filling out our missing luggage claims. The agent could tell us nothing as there was no digital trace of our luggage. I get out and make my way to the ticket counter to get my new boarding pass. I board my new flight with not one personal item but my laptop, and 3 other pieces of electronics. That is now 36 hours since I left from Montreal with Flair. An amazing discount airline that puts SATA to shame. I arrive in Terceira. Since Sunday morning I’m relentless to find any information possible. Nobody answers the phone, one the line is always busy. The lost and found in Toronto you can’t leave a message as the mailbox is full. I communicate with Sata on Facebook explain the situation. They reply, send an email to this email. I did, it’s now Tuesday evening local Azores time. I have not received a call back, or a reply to my email. For me, it’s sad as I’m to stay three weeks then travel to Thaïland for 4 months. I have business there and everything in my bags I need for here now, and the rest of my travel plans. So customer service where are you. You obviously don’t care about anybody. This downright ridiculous that so many passengers on the same flight have all their luggage missing. The missing flight I can deal with. But nothing else but my little back pack. I cannot accept. This is unacceptable that 4 days later there is not a digital trace of luggage. With all this high tech we have. I just need my bags back. Otherwise my plans for Thaïland will be scrapped and my businesses will suffer the most.
AircraftA321
Type Of TravellerBusiness
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteToronto to Ponta Delgada via Terceira
Date FlownDecember 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Wifi & Connectivity 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
1/10

"They rescheduled my flight"

(United States)

Trip Verified | They rescheduled my flight by making it longer by 15 hours! They did the last day so I didn't have any other options. I couldn't check in online or via phone. So had to arrive at the airport super early. No TSA precheck either! Waited in a really long line.
Type Of TravellerSolo Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteNew York to Porto via Ponta Delgada
Date FlownNovember 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Wifi & Connectivity 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
6/10

"was pleasantly surprised"

(United States)

Trip Verified | Wasn’t feeling very confident flying with the airline due to the reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. Crew was professional and courteous. Food on both legs was surprisingly good and there were several options for drinks. Really short transfer at PDL which went by seamlessly. However, the seats are not very comfortable and the wifi connectivity only provides you with access to their IFE portal which has a limited but decent quality selection. Considering this is a relative small airline based in an archipelago in the middle of the ocean, I appreciate the fact that it’s not a no frills experience. Would definitely fly with them again as someone who really wants to visit the Azores.
AircraftA321neo
Type Of TravellerSolo Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteNew York to Barcelona via Ponta Delgada
Date FlownSeptember 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Wifi & Connectivity 12345
Value For Money 12345
yes
9/10

"Great Staff in flight"

(Portugal)

Not Verified | Great Staff in flight, really nice with children. Ground service really friendly in Lisbon. Pleasant flight with a lot of information during the flight.
AircraftA321
Type Of TravellerFamily Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteLisbon to Ponta Delgada
Date FlownJuly 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
yes
2/10

"Unbelievably bad"

(Netherlands)

Trip Verified | Unbelievably bad. Communication dramatic. There was no communication between the transfer where you have to hope to reach your plane. Transfers from Amsterdam to Azores are not met all the time which resulted in continue missed flights.
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RoutePico to Amsterdam via Lisbon
Date FlownJuly 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
1/10

"The worst nightmare airline"

(United States)

Trip Verified | The worst nightmare airline. My original flight supposed to airtime Lisbon at 11am 24 June but flight was delayed 2hrs from New York to Ponta so I arrived at Ponta 9:30am, staff had no provide any ticket to Lisbon as actually SATA Air Azores flight was delayed but we all customers need to get to the checking buy new tickets to Lisbon. First Lady staff put us in the latest flight at 9:30pm so arrival time will be 12pm. We fight for customer right with SATA Air Azores staff on Ponta during 3hrs there till we get the new flight from 9:30pm Change to 7:20pm and third time with afternoon staff they change our flight to 3:15 pm arrival Lisbon at 6:30pm. Another nightmare when we arrived Lisbon airport during the plane landing I can saw my luggage sitting on the runway wait for me. Because my original flight was canceled but I assume my bag was delivered to Lisbon airport earlier than my actual flight 3:15pm. I waited for 2hrs till 10pm without any baggage staff/airport staff/airline staff support or help. No one care about customers issues in Lisbon airport. And I need to leave the airport to check in my room with Airbnb because it already night time at 10:30pm must checkin the room. The next day I tried to message to SATA Air Azores, ground force lisbon and also phone called but no one can help us. So I decided to go back to airport and finally get in the long line to groundforce staff that they just open the baggage claim for us after we were argued with staff again and we talked with the SATA Air Azores supervisor to discussed with groundforce staff just for open the baggage claim which is they are the one who lost and never return my baggage. I showed him photo of my baggage sitting in Run way and of cause I smart enough to take a photo to have my evidence proof. But again groundforce staff not listening and not even asked for my baggage photo to put in system to help the team to find and track back of my baggage. It’s been 3 days my vacation with my husband in Lisbon had nothing here we did not visit anywhere because all day we were tried to contact with airport and airline about our lost baggage.
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteNew York to Lisbon via Ponta Delgada
Date FlownJune 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Wifi & Connectivity 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
4/10

"do not get any upgrades with them"

(Portugal)

Trip Verified | I had to change my original flight due to a cancellation from WPB to Boston on a separate airline. At that point I called the main number to rebook for another date, They were accommodating and helpful. When we checked in our luggage they wanted to charge us for the extra that we had already paid for in advance because the attendant did no see a record of the pre-paid baggage, of course at that point we just paid for it again which cost us an additional $160…also originally we had paid for seat upgrade $60 each (2). Did not want to argue or dispute at that moment but visited the Sata agency in Ponta Delgada to tell them what happened, needless to say this was a long visit, back and forth with supervisors, needed to verify my ticket stubs and they wanted the actual baggage tickets to verify all of this. Needless to say this went on for over 1 month and they would not refund the upgrade in seats that we originally paid for and that someone else paid so Sata made out with the price of these seats, and if this happened to us most likely it has happened to many more people. They did however refund for the extra luggage that we had already paid for. Moral of the story do not get any upgrades with them and make sure you get printed receipts for everything you purchase…they are not a responsible airlines and take no responsibility for their actions! I fly with them as there are no other options in the Azores, but as soon as there are other airlines flying between islands or Boston to Azores they will loose a customer.
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteBoston to Ponta Delgada
Date FlownMay 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Wifi & Connectivity 12345
Value For Money 12345
no
8/10

"a very pleasant experience"

(Switzerland)

Not Verified | Trip to Azores - flights LIS-PDL and PIX-LIS booked with TAP but operated by Air Azores. In opposite to TAP, Air Azores reminded me of the "good old days". Seats well padded, enough legroom, possible to recline and even a small head rest which made it easier to take a nap. Passengers were provided with a small box containing a sandwich, made of special Azorean bread, some cookies and non alcoholic drinks for free. Our junior even got a special box with an extra chocolate in it. All in all a very pleasant experience.
AircraftA321/A320
Type Of TravellerFamily Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteLisbon to Pico via Ponta Delgada
Date FlownMay 2022
Seat Comfort 12345
Cabin Staff Service 12345
Food & Beverages 12345
Inflight Entertainment 12345
Ground Service 12345
Value For Money 12345
yes
3/10

"No refunds, just a credit"

(United States)

Trip Verified | The customer service is just out of this world - so rude! I called them 3 times to make changes or just check on my options. They treat me as they are doing me a favor, what happened to a normal polite conversation? The last lady was annoyed with me as I was checking on options to cancel my flight. Do not use them unless absolutely necessary. No refunds, just a credit but can only be used for the ticket that cost the same or more. My new ticket was $100+ less and they wont do it.
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat TypeEconomy Class
RouteBoston to Ponta Delgado
Date FlownJuly 2021
Value For Money 12345
no