Date: 08 July 2016
Departure: 19:00
Arrival: 21:05
Flight time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Seat: 1D, aisle
Check-in
Location: Check-in 2, row 3.
Facilities: Web check-in is possible. Via the app you can only check-in if you have a log-in. At Zürich airport check-in is only possible at the counter and not at the self-service machines.
Counters: Swissport does the check-in for Air Europa in Zürich. There are four common use counters for Economy Class passengers, one baggage drop counter and a Business Class counter.
The Lounge
I do not have time for a visit to the lounge today. By the time I have retrieved my rucksack from the locker, collected my boarding pass and gone through security, I only have about fifteen minutes left before boarding starts.
Boarding
The first call is for Business Class passengers and Air Europa and SkyTeam status card holders.
Apparently the flight is completely sold out this evening. The last few passengers to board the aircraft are out of luck. There is no more space left in the overhead bins and they are asked – if not to say ordered – to relinquish their bags and have them put in the hold instead.
The Cabin
Configuration: 2 + 2. Seating capacity on the Embraer 195 is 120 (12 + 108).
Seat: The aircraft is operated by a company called Aeronova on behalf of Air Europa under the Air Europa Express brand. Business Class seating is the same as in Economy Class, so the seat next to you is not kept empty. There are three rows in Business Class with a total of twelve seats. The forward cabin is fully booked as well this evening, although only four are revenue passengers, the other eight are all commercial upgrades.
Pitch: 30 inches.
Width: 18 inches.
Facilities: There are no power outlets.
Audio and Video: No.
The Crew
There are three female cabin crew on the flight. Funnily enough, the purser is the young lady I had on the inaugural flight a few weeks back.
The Meal
Welcome drink on the ground: Choice of orange juice or still water.
Towel before the meal: Pre-packed, scented cold towel.
Pre-meal drink: Coke Zero with a packet of almonds.
Choice: None.
Delivery: Individual tray service.
Type of meal: Dinner.
Meal:
- Watercress, rocket and spinach salad with grilled citrus marinated vegetables and parmesan shavings.
- Crudités with artichoke cream and olives.
- Potato and fennel salad with Dijon mustard, beef pastrami, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, rocket and sesame.
- Yoghurt mousse with a crunchy crumble, strawberries and strawberry sauce.
Arrival
The flight passes quickly, and before long we are already on the approach into Madrid. We land in a north-westerly direction and then taxi for a good ten minutes to our parking stand at Terminal 2.