SATA

They are threatening to go on strike for the third time this summer and we are supposed to be leaving next week but they are not going to respond to our request to cancel the flight until 72 hours from now. So at this point we are in limbo because we cannot book another flight, but we also don't know if they are actually going to be running at that time.

There are no words to describe the nightmare experience of flying SATA. My flight was cancelled for two days and there was never any communications or anyone to speak with. The flight home was delayed for hours because they could not figure out why their head count was off. They are now literally having everyone give them their boarding pass because this band of incompetent clowns cannot do simple math. I will now miss my connection going home.

Never, ever fly this pice of sh__t airline.

On 12/28, we had a group flying to Madeira Island Portugal. On our flight the flight attendants were so rude to everyone. I can understand when the seatbelt light goes on that they want people to sit. The seatbelt light was on for most of the 6 hour flight so there is a time when you have to stand to go to the restroom and stretch to get the blood flowing especially since you only had approx. 1 inch of space between your knees and the seat in front of you. They actually yelled at people that were actually waiting for the restroom before the seatbelt light went on. As soon as the light went on they were yelling at you to get back to your seat. Now with a full plane, if you have to go you cannot wait for the light to go back off (and the turbulence was NOT bad at all). They were so rude to people and I could understand if people were rude to them but with the size of the plane and the amount of people, I thought the people were exceptional. When it came to giving drinks, I asked for ice with my wine (Sorry, I like it chilled) The attendant shook his head in disgust. I was shocked that he had the nerve to do that. The plane was warm and the blowers were not working properly, row 17 and 18 didn't even have blowers and when people started to ask for water (and you needed it with the warmth) they were upset that they had to hand out water. I have never seen flight attendants so rude. Many people were saying the same thing. I would suggest looking for other airlines that fly to that region because the flight back home was no different. I would NEVER fly this airline again.

We booked a package with SATA that included a rental car. A month after returning from our trip, the car rental company charged us over $300 for damage not incurred by us......when I reached out to SATA, they basically told me it was my problem, not theirs. Unbelievable - beware......

Probably the worst airline I have ever flown. Staff is rude, lazy, incompetent, and not helpful. Although I don't expect much from airline food, it was not even edible.

Lots of delays with no explanation.

Seats are uncomfortable, the planes are hot with no air turned on, they leave the lights on for overnight flights and allow passengers to be rowdy.

Will not fly SATA again.

As we were finally getting on the plane after a nearly 10 hour wait at the airport, a SATA attendant asked my eight year old son if it was his first visit and if he would come back to Portugal. My sweet faced cherub responded emphatically in perfect Portuguese - Portugal: SIM, SATA:NAO!

The rest of the family echoes his sentiment. We flew SATA because they offered a direct Boston to Lisbon flight at a very competitive rate. I should have checked reviews prior to booking. We expected a no frills experience based on the $1040 airfare, so we weren't entirely surprised or critical of the old planes, the outdated and worn interiors, or the cold, greyish unrecognizable mystery meat. On the flight over one of our seats was broken and I had to remain in the recline position for most of the flight, the headsets and soundsystem were useless as the tiny television screen about 26 rows away. Again, none of this was a deal breaker.

The deal breaker for us was the return flight. We attempted the web check-in and two of the four family members were successfully checked in but the other two were rejected and we got a message to contact Homeland Security. We figured we'd get to the airport early just in case we needed to resolve any issues. When we got to the airport staff was fine and quickly checked us in. We went thorugh security around 1:30PM for a 3:25PM flight. The flight was listed as departing 10 mintues early so we were excited. We were at the gate when we were told that the flight would be a few minutes late. About an hour later were told that we had to change gates, so we walked to the new gate, checked in and waited for another couple of hours. We were told that we would be leaving at 5:30PM. Everyone made calls or texted to arrange for rides and to adjust connecting flighs upon landing.

Around 5:30 we were notified that we not be leaving until after 7PM and that staff was waiting for more information from SATA. An announcement was made that we would get "more"information shortly. Keep in mind we had not been given any information and when we asked there were several conflicting reasons given for the flight status. The website had not been updated, and the SATA information numbers were not answering. At about 8PM and announcement was made that SATA was offering us compimentary refreshments while we waited. They told us to go the only cafe in the terminal and we would be allowed 10 euros. The cafe ran out of food long before everyone ate. They would not allow passengers to leave the terminal to get dinner. We were told that more information would be available after 9PM. At about 10:15PM were were told we would fly out at 11:30 and that we needed to leave the terminal for a few minutes and go through a security check. I'm ok with security precautions but the rude manner in which people were addressed was deplorable. The flight was comprised of many older Portuguese/Americans who were treated with disrespect by SATA staff and security alike. We then were loaded onto buses and brought to our plane for eight hours later than he scheduled flight. This unexplained delay and the disrespectul treatment of their customers makes me doubtful that SATA will be around for the long. They are lacking in professionalism and organization...making them an embarassement to the country. Airport staff at Logan confirmed that they have by far the worst track record of any airline when it comes to punctuality.

SATA Airlines has the worst service I’ve ever experienced. The company has a complete disregard for customers, staff is rude and amateurish, planes are old and decrepit, communication is feeble or inexistent, and to top it all, considerable delays are the norm, not the exception.

The Boston-PDL-Boston route is particularly problematic, with sustained delays that make it utterly unreliable. You will be better off flying to Lisbon and taking a flight from there to the island (Easyjet, Ryanair, TAP).

Here’s our last saga with SATA. On Tuesday, June 16, 2015, we had a flight from PDL to Boston scheduled for 3pm. An email was sent to us at 4:30pm that day - 90 minutes after the original departure time - informing us of a substantial delay. Instead of leaving PDL at 8:15pm, as stated in the timely message, we ended up staying in the airport until 11pm - 8 hours after the original departure time. This forced us to stay an extra night in Boston and loose our connecting flight to NYC, with all expenses paid by us. We got to our hotel in Boston with a crying 5-month old baby at 2:30am on June 17th. In the airport, and on the plane, there was no attempt to apologize for the inconvenience or accommodate any of our needs.

SATA’s customer service is so appalling it’s almost laughable. You should avoid flying with this airline at all costs. I know I will.

I flew 3 times BOS-PDL-PIX both ways and most of the time the air vents were completely turned off and bad smell in airplane for the entire flight. SATA saves money by turning vents off, which means they deny the passengers the fresh air they need. At the end of the flight the airplane was very hot inside and very heavy air and I was having difficulty breathing.

On oct 14 2014 our trip was 48 hrs delayed due to radar problems. Their staff made the bad situation 10 times worth. Incompetent, unfriendly and rude, they just did not care. Now we are at home trying to get our money back. Not groupon the travel agency nor SATA seem to be interested and take responsibility. Never will fly Sata again, even if they paid me! Horrible airline with NO customer service.

Just a horribly negative booking experience. Website was broken (watch for dates of your flights changing randomly during the process and problems with payments).

They said they would look into it.... They didn't get back to me when they said they would, but eventually did. Yeah so the payment thing didn't work cause there are payment options listed on their website that don't exist but they let you go through the full payment process until random error at the end (seriously.... And apparently none of the customer service people know this...). The price had risen substantially since starting and although early in the process they said explicitly they would honor the original price, they decided they actually wouldn't.

At best, SATA is a waste of your time to deal with, at worst they are dishonest. Avoid.