SATA(n?) - the one, the only, the worst ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

SATA(n?) - the one, the only, the worst airline direct to Azores from US!

Replies: 12 - Last Post: 18-Jul-2009 21:16 Last Post By: nebbluwtr

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Posted
24-Jan-2009 09:39
by: mcmpc

Posts: 3
Registered: 24/01/09

SATA(n?) - the one, the only, the worst airline direct to Azores from US!

Boy, if I had more time on my hands I'd start an airline that competes with SATA which is to my knowledge the only airline that travels direct from the states direct to the Azores. Azores is such a great place but it's such a pain in the arse starting + ending my trips with these douchbags. ALWAYS (can't say it loud enough) LATE!!! Hours behind schedule in both directions. Lost luggage every other trip..."stop your whining you stupid American we'll find your precious luggage someday!" Pricing is consistently exhorbetant! You can regularly fly round trip to nearer parts of Europe from the eastcoast of US for $500. It's always at least $700 to the Azores (and it's 900 miles closer to the US than Lisbon). And I just paid $1000 for a mid-january trip. he planes are always full so demand is not an issue. But what is an issue? aha..Answer: Competition. SATA is the only game in town, because like in so many ways, (in the Azores part of Portugal at least) the socialist business model is being held over. On the plus side, the planes seem pretty new and clean, but please, please...American Air, British Airways, anybody get in there and help us (me).

I feel better now. Thx for listening. x0x0 from MC in RI

Posted
24-Jan-2009 18:17
by: Aribo

Posts: 5,152
Registered: 25/03/05

1

Very balanced review indeed. I knew this must be a first (and last?)-time poster when I saw the title. Sad that people take the time to sign up on this board just to get rid of their frustrations.

Posted
25-Jan-2009 01:22
by: Nautiker

Posts: 1,989
Registered: 27/01/04

2

yep, aribo, but this board is all about helping travellers - and mcmpc's last line clearly indicates (s)he found it helpful, that all that matters ;-)

Posted
25-Jan-2009 02:21
by: tony_b

Posts: 12,762
Registered: 20/07/05

3

the socialist business model is being held over
Can you please elaborate? Do you mean that because no other airline thinks the route is worth operating, that's socialism? If there's just one filling station in a village, is that socialism?

One final question. Do you think that airline CEOs read TT for business advice?

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Posted
25-Jan-2009 07:15
by: Liberat

Posts: 321
Registered: 21/07/05

4

Somehow it is difficult to go to the Azores. F.e. Living in Galicia (N-Spain) we drove to Porto to take a flight to the Azores, but that meant first going to Lisbon and then taking the flight to the Azores. There were no flights from the second largest city in Portugal, Port, to the Azores. To me that seems kind of silly. On the way back almost every flight was late and we were obliged to spend the night in a hotel in Lisbon, but pàid for by the airline. I agree that the Azores are worth the trouble, but why making it so difficult.

Posted
25-Jan-2009 11:39
by: tony_b

Posts: 12,762
Registered: 20/07/05

5

but why making it so difficult.
That question needs a subject. Such as "Who". Otherwise it looks like a conspiracy theory that is slightly ridiculous.

Atmospheric, peaceful rural hotel near Ronda Charming bijou hotel-restaurant in Zahara de la Sierra

Posted
25-Jan-2009 19:28
by: oldpro

Posts: 2,984
Registered: 12/04/00

6

Some places on this planet are difficult to get to. I've been to some of them and incorporate the difficulty into my planning.

I don't see the point of bitching about it.

Posted
26-Jan-2009 08:19
by: Liberat

Posts: 321
Registered: 21/07/05

7

As a matter of fact I do think it is kind of a "conspiracy", in the sense that there are no other than portuguese airlines flying to the Azores, the only exception being some charters. It looks like either the Azores government or the portuguese government are protecting their own airlines. Maybe in this way they manage to protect the islands from the influx of mass tourism and its deteriorating influence. Compare it to spanish mediterranean coast.

Posted
26-Jan-2009 10:09
by: tony_b

Posts: 12,762
Registered: 20/07/05

8

Compare it to spanish mediterranean coast.
This is getting a bit silly but, yes, let's.

Spanish Med coast: 100s of kms of almost continuous sandy beaches.
Azores: very few beaches

Spanish Med coast: almost guranteed non-stop heat and sunshine thorughout the summer = Mediterranean climate.
Azores: even in the summer, you're going to get rainfall = maritime climate = if you're bored with the weather, wait ten minutes.

Distance from one end to the other of the Azores archipelago: 600 kms with just a few small islands in between.

If there's a conspiracy, it's between the beach-loving, sun-addicted Northern Europeans and the package tour companies. But, if you like, tell us who you think is conspiring with whom.

Personally, I think it's absolutely great that travel to the Azores is a little tricky. If you read about the Azores you'll understand why.

Atmospheric, peaceful rural hotel near Ronda Charming bijou hotel-restaurant in Zahara de la Sierra

Posted
26-Jan-2009 19:16
by: Liberat

Posts: 321
Registered: 21/07/05

9

The comparison I had in mind was not climate, beaches etc, but the fact that a great part of that coast is completely ruined by all the construction for the tourist trade. I sailed along quite a bit of the spanish mediterranean coast and know what I am talking about. The worst being Santa Pola in Alicante. It probably is a personal iponion, but from the sea-side I didn't think Benidorm as ugly as many people make it. It is to be hoped that the Azores are not going to be spoiled in the way the spanish coast is. Nevertheless I do think it rather strange that there are no direct connecting flights between Portugal's second largest city and the Azores.

Posted
26-Jan-2009 19:23
by: Raki_Man

Posts: 2,746
Registered: 26/11/00

10

A friend of my Dad went to Azores and almost got conned into buying a rip-off time-share.

The con was 'here's a free scratchy raffle ticket', and guess what, he won!!

Luckily he got out of it, after I heard about it, before he handed over most of the money.

Silly old bugger- he should have known better!

'Personally, I believe a rocking hammock, a good cigar, and a tall gin-and-tonic is the way to save the planet.'
P J O'Rourke

Posted
27-Jan-2009 13:46
by: mattoni

Posts: 2,025
Registered: 29/04/05

11

Perhaps it's exactly the socialist approach that allows regular flights to the Azores at all; many far-away dependencies of European countries only exist due to subsidies like government-co-funded airlines; otherwise there might be no connections at all.

This was written by someone who does not know anything about the Azores.

Posted
18-Jul-2009 21:16
by: nebbluwtr

Posts: 2
Registered: 18/07/09

12

In response to Sata being the Worst Airline. I don't think so. I just flew in to Horta mid-Feb and left mid-March for $600 round trip to Boston. The flights were on time and everyone was very courteous. Sure they were full, since they were (are) the only inter-island airline. But once we boarded the transatlantic leg, the flights was only about 1/3 full.
I do not forsee any trepidation on my part to fly them again.

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