I randomly received three Juicy Miles requests for award flights from JFK to Madrid over the last two weeks using Delta SkyMiles. The requests were all for dates this August and unfortunately the Delta operated flight had only high level award availability remaining in business and medium in economy. However, SkyTeam partner Air Europa was showing availability on ExpertFlyer in both directions on all requested dates for both economy and business. I then called Delta to book the flights and that’s where the fun began. The first Platinum agent told me that miles could not be earned or redeemed with Air Europa. I explained that they were a SkyTeam partner and that awards could most definitely be redeemed. He consulted his computer and came back a few minutes later asking me if I wanted economy or business. Score! The connection dropped while making the second booking and I had to call back. Again, I had to explain that Air Europa was a partner…
Since these are partner awards they book at the low level – 60k for round-trip economy and 100k for round-trip business. It is important to note that Air Europa business class service will not be equivalent with the Delta 767-400 service on the same route. Business class on Air Europa’s A330-200 includes angled lie flat seats, a video monitor, and meal service. The reviews are not the best, though they are decent enough if you are desperate to fly to/from Madrid on specific dates and only want to redeem at the low level. In fact some of the meal reviews are actually pretty good and the seats may be improving soon as per a June 2012 press release from Air France-KLM that states “Air Europa has signed a new contract with AFI KLM E&M to provide and certify Business Class sections on two of its Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The modification covers fitting of 18 Business Class seats, new storage furniture and decorative features, and also involves adapting the IFE to the new aircraft configuration.”
You can see examples of the seats in both classes and further descriptions here. Check out the business class menu below. ExpertFlyer displays the award availability and it looks to be open on most days the next few months. If you don’t have an account Delta can check for you and add in any domestic connections.
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9 comments
A few weeks ago I was looking to book RT Business on Air Europa using DELTA skymiles. Actually nyc-bcn, mad-nyc. I too had to explain to the phone rep that Yes Air Europa is indeed a Sky team partner. Great availability on Air Europa but I was told there was several hundred dollars per ticket in charges. Did you experience that on your tickets or was it another case of playing Russian Delta Rep Roulette?
@Joseph M – total taxes for me on the business bookings came to $275.10, what were you charged??? Might be a case of DRR
Additional Comment: The only DELTA phone reps that consistently know what they are doing are in the Chisolm phone center. I always ask the rep where they are working from.
I don’t remember what the fee’s were exactly but it was definitely higher than that. Ultimately my friend, who I was booking the trip for, was unable for other reasons to make the reservation. I do alot of booking for friends as I’m the resident FF program whiz….
I can’t get the link to show the new seats to work. Haven’t been able to find any pictures or trip reports either. Can you post the new cabin pics directly in your post?
@ Steve – updated the link for the current seats, note though that the new ones won’t be available for quite some time though.
Thanks for the information! FYI your link to Air Europa PDF is broken.
@Brandon – Thanks, PDF link fixed!
[…] *I should note that AirEuropa had availability (as they normally do) in both business and economy on the exact dates* You can read more about their flight service and allowable SkyMiles redemptions here. […]