Air Europa (ICAO: AEA) is a prominent Spanish airline offering a wide range of flights across various continents.
Air Europa Líneas Aéreas, S.A.U., founded in 1986 as Air España SA, began as part of the British ILG-Air Europe Group. After being acquired by a group of Spanish investors led by Juan José Hidalgo in 1991, it became the first private Spanish company to operate domestic scheduled flights in 1993, breaking Iberia's long-standing monopoly. The airline expanded into the international market starting in 1995.
The airline's main operational base and hub is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD). It also maintains focus city operations at Palma de Mallorca Airport and Tenerife North Airport. Air Europa operates a modern, all-Boeing fleet, which includes the Boeing 787 Dreamliner variants (787-8 and 787-9) for its long-haul routes and Boeing 737s (including the 737-800) for short and medium-haul flights. They also have Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on order.
Air Europa’s route network is extensive, serving over 44 destinations. This includes approximately 20 domestic routes within Spain and 41 international routes to 28 countries across Europe, South America, North America, the Caribbean, Morocco, and Tunisia. Since September 2007, Air Europa has been a member of the SkyTeam alliance, which allows its passengers to benefit from an expanded global network and associated advantages. For passengers seeking enhanced comfort, Air Europa offers Business Class cabins, particularly on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which feature lie-flat seats (with 1-2-1 configuration on the 787-9 for direct aisle access, and 2-2-2 on the 787-8). Business Class passengers enjoy priority services like dedicated check-in and lounge access, and can savor gourmet meals crafted by chef Martín Berasategui. Additionally, the airline offers an "Avión + Tren" (Plane + Train) service, integrating air travel with high-speed train connections within Spain via Madrid.
Recent traveler reviews for Air Europa present a mixed but generally fair sentiment, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, Air Europa is generally considered a viable option for budget travelers seeking punctual flights, particularly within its modern Business Class offering. However, its overall traveler satisfaction is notably impacted by concerns regarding inconsistent service quality, perceived "low-cost" amenities on full-service routes, and uncomfortable economy seating on some aircraft. The airline holds a 3-Star Airline rating by Skytrax and a 4-star rating from the APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) for 2024.
Air Europa maintains a strong safety record, reflected in its high safety ratings and regulatory certifications.
The airline's recent safety record is generally positive, with a notable incident occurring on July 1, 2024. Air Europa Flight 045, a Boeing 787-9 en route from Madrid to Montevideo, encountered severe turbulence over the Atlantic Ocean, leading to injuries among approximately 30 passengers and an emergency diversion to Natal, Brazil. Passengers reported damage within the cabin. Other incidents in 2024 included an engine oil leak and a bird strike, both non-fatal. AirAdvisor identified Air Europa as one of Europe's safest airlines for 2025, noting only one non-fatal incident between 2005 and 2024 in their study.
Air Europa is IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, which confirms its adherence to internationally recognized operational safety standards. These standards are developed from relevant ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations, indicating compliance with stringent global safety guidelines.
The airline is known for operating a modern fleet. While its Boeing 737-800s have an average age of approximately 8.5 years, its Boeing 787 Dreamliners are considerably newer, with the 787-9 variants averaging around 2.4 years old and 787-8s averaging 5 years old as of November 2021. Air Europa emphasizes its commitment to sustainable aviation practices and maintaining its fleet. The IOSA certification also underscores a robust maintenance and operational quality system.
Based on available data, Air Europa holds a commendable safety rating of 7/7 from AirlineRatings.com. The airline's consistent IOSA certification and a low number of significant incidents, especially fatal ones, demonstrate a solid commitment to operational safety and risk management. While no specific safety *awards* were noted, the IOSA certification and a 4-star airline rating from APEX for its overall service and operational quality in 2024 are strong indicators of its dedication to high standards.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCG → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
60 | 315 mi | B738 | Nov 25, 2025 |
| VGO → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
57 | 289 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| ASU → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
56 | 5717 mi | B789 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| OPO → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
43 | 273 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SDQ → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
42 | 4253 mi | B789 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| MVD → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
37 | 6188 mi | B788 | Dec 2, 2025 |
| PMI → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
36 | 340 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| PMI → BCN |
Barcelona Int'l
Barcelona
|
35 | 126 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BIO → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
33 | 197 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TFN → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
31 | 1102 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| IBZ → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
26 | 286 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GRX → PMI |
Palma de Mallorca (or Son Sant Joan)
Palma de Mallorca
|
26 | 389 mi | B738 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| ALC → PMI |
Palma de Mallorca (or Son Sant Joan)
Palma de Mallorca
|
24 | 198 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ALC → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
21 | 222 mi | B738 | Nov 15, 2025 |
| SAP → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
20 | 5338 mi | B788 | Dec 4, 2025 |
| VLC → PMI |
Palma de Mallorca (or Son Sant Joan)
Palma de Mallorca
|
20 | 172 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| ORY → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
20 | 639 mi | B738 | Dec 5, 2025 |
| CUN → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
16 | 4987 mi | B788 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BCN → PMI |
Palma de Mallorca (or Son Sant Joan)
Palma de Mallorca
|
16 | 126 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| AUH → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
15 | 3507 mi | B789 | Nov 13, 2025 |
| VCE → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
14 | 875 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| MAD → ASU |
Silvio Pettirossi Int'l
Asuncion
|
14 | 5717 mi | B788 | Nov 28, 2025 |
| MAD → PMI |
Palma de Mallorca (or Son Sant Joan)
Palma de Mallorca
|
13 | 340 mi | B738 | Oct 19, 2025 |
| MAD → ORY |
Paris Orly
Orly (near Paris)
|
13 | 639 mi | B738 | Nov 24, 2025 |
| SSA → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
13 | 4314 mi | B789 | Dec 7, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.