This flight was unique because it wasn't operated directly by Azores Airlines, but rather by HiFly. HiFly is a company that has a fleet of about a dozen planes, and they wet lease these planes to various airlines. In other words, when airlines have a short term need for a plane, HiFly supplies both the…
Continue reading: Review: Azores Airlines Business Class A340 Ponta Delgada To Lisbon
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You should fly Shenzhen airlines, I flew with them three weeks ago, from CAN-WUX on Business class, their product on board was stunning
"because they don’t really have much of an incentive to be nice, as it’s not even their airline."
I'm confused. Why you need to be incentivied when you were in hospitality bussines? Being nice and corteous is basic.
@ James -- I agree with you in general, but my point is that it's not even their brand they're promoting. No one booked HiFly, they book an airline that just happens to have a flight operated by HiFly. Aside from maybe an aviation geek or two, I don't think anyone seeks out HiFly planes.
First class on this plane is not even as good as business class on other airlines these days! I believe Emirates was mostly flying the A340-300s short haul in their last few years leading up to their retirement though. Another cool plane in HiFly’s fleet is an ex-Kingfisher A340-500, which even has a bar on-board! I have no idea which routes it flies though. I believe Azerbaijan Airlines flies some ex-Kingfisher A340-500s as well. You could also try Omni Air International. I remember a few years back Scandinavian Airlines leased a plane from them that I saw in IAD that was heading for CPH.
@Lucky If you were booked in "business class" and sat in the first class portion of this plane, what would the people who sat in the actual business class on this plane have booked? Premium Economy?
Lucky, my point is, they are not going extra mile or do something special by being nice. They simply do what their job required them to do (especially in their line of work). Being an FA, serving customers. Or maybe simply being human, be nice to others.
@ James -- Which the Azores Airlines crew on my previous flight *didn't* do, which is why I thought it was worth pointing out.
Perhaps before the next millennium, I will land at LIS and not be shuttled from a remote stand.
Hard to believe Portugal's two major carriers, TAP and Azores, still use remote stands for
international arrivals and departures.
Since this is a wet lease, wouldn't it be obvious that the catering would be of the airline from which you booked your ticket. #justasking
Hi Lucky,were any of the HiFly cabin crew from the United States on your flight?
I am flying from BOS to PDL on 8/11. According to the Azores Airlines website this flight is being serviced by an A-340 also. Is this the same plane you flew, or have they leased more than one A-340?
I'm flying on this plane from BOS to PDL this Friday, how do I book the first class cabin if it only two classes were offered during the booking process?
To be honest, please to be more neutral in your reviews. I have been reading more than 50 your airlines' review, your review should be more based on airline itself culture and characteristics.