On the Ground: During a long layover at JFK we were pleased to discover that Air Europa opens its check-in counters earlier than the typical three hours before departure. A line had already formed when we arrived, but a representative greeted us, scanned our passports and escorted us to a dedicated Club counter. Check-in was quick, and we were directed to the Oasis Lounge, which is shared with several other carriers and located outside the security checkpoint. The lounge is long and narrow along a wall of windows, allowing abundant natural light and helping to reduce ambient noise. Beverage options included around 20 varieties of coffee, a selection of Tazo teas and a full range of drinks from an open bar. The complimentary buffet offered fresh fruit and berries, salads, sandwiches and three hot dishes. A business center provided computers, and WiFi was available throughout. Although the lounge is outside security, once our flight was announced we used the priority line at security and boarded directly, bypassing the general boarding queue. (30/30)
Pre-flight: Before we settled into our seats, attendants took our jackets on hangers and removed them from the cabin. They offered a choice of newspapers and magazines, including several in English, and served orange juice and water. Staff offered assistance with the seat controls, though the controls were intuitive, featuring a lighted seat diagram and directional arrows on the buttons. Each seat included an electrical outlet. (29/30)
In-flight: The Club cabin follows a 2-2-2 layout across four well-spaced rows. Individual high-intensity gooseneck reading lights were provided at each seat, which was useful because cabin lighting remained dim for the late departure at 10:55 p.m. Attendants circulated hot towels and menus, and provided “do not disturb” signs and a vanity pack. Opting for a light-dinner service — a useful alternative for passengers wanting more rest — we appreciated a good selection of Spanish wines before reclining our seats for the night. The seats did not convert to fully flat beds, but they were comfortable for rest. Cabin attendants were consistently visible and attentive throughout the flight; this was among the most attentive business-class crews we have experienced. Announcements were made in Spanish and English; while the English announcements were sometimes hard to follow, flight attendants were fluent and readily repeated any information we missed. (37/40)
The Experience: Both on the ground and in the air, Air Europa staff were exceptionally attentive and courteous. We were among the first passengers off the aircraft in Madrid, and our priority-tagged luggage was among the first pieces on the baggage carousel.
Total Score: 96/100