I am thinking of taking a trip across the Atlantic in order to catch a ride on an A310 before they end up in the desert. It is down to Air Transat (probably YYZ-AMS) and SATA International (probably BOS-LIS) as the contenders. I am trying to keep the trip short (5 or 6 days total), so going farther to catch an A310 might not be possible. (I will be starting at STL, connecting to one of the above flights).

Does anyone have any suggestions on which airline to take (as far as schedule reliability, aircraft swaps, etc). Prices and schedule are roughly equivalent, and online reviews of both airlines haven't been really good, to be expected for LCC.

SATA would be my pick, more interesting routing for one, and 18/204 SATA vs 12/238 for Air Transat for reason 2

I assume the S4 flight stops at PDL. I would recommend a stopover there. Sao Miguel is a beautiful island and small enough to do the most interesting bits in a day.

Their A310s feel quite antique inside but that's all part of the experience.

Also S4 is not strictly a LCC. You will get a sandwich and a drink on each leg. Although you'll probably want to pack some extra snacks.

I would go with AirTransat. I just recently flew on SATA (to speak the truth on the A330) in BusinessClass and it was a nightmare. No IFE, seats broken (stayed in the reclined mode during landing), inedible food, rude crews...

If you fly with AirTransat, make sure to book the "OPTION PLUS" service, worth every penny!!!
https://www.airtransat.com/en-CA/Travel ... ption-Plus

I second debonair's choice, hands down I would go with Transat, their A310's and in-flight service are a lot nicer than Sata's. I flew Sata last year YYZ-LIS in an emergency exit row and it was still almost unbearable, probably my worst TATL flight to date. Old and tired interior, many lights flickering/burned out and the overhead bins were constantly creaking the whole flight, not fun.

Transat A310's have a lot newer interior and are a lot more visually pleasing than the Sata birds, not to mention the ability to watch movies free from your tablet using the Transat CinePlus app that connects to the on-board entertainment. I would recommend the "Options Plus" if you want to spend the extra money. If not, here's a tip, purchase the cheapest seat and check-in online exactly 24hrs before and you are able to select emergency exit row seats free of charge, that is if no one has already pre-paid for them... I've been lucky a few times.

A follow-on question...

If I go the Air Transat route, what is the transfer in YYZ like ? Since I am coming from St Louis, I can take an Air Canada flight nonstop STL-YYZ, but they arrive in Terminal 1, and Air Transat departs in Terminal 3. I would have about 5 hours to make the transfer, with only carry-on luggage (no checked luggage). Is the transfer between terminals at least somewhat easy ?

Thanks for the responses so far !

Everyone seems to like Transat. The only down side would be their A310s are 9 abreast vs. 8 abreast on SATA.

Transfer through YYZ is a breeze. (Even easier if you stayed at T1).

After you clear Canadian Customs (necessary as you are switching terminals), you take the free train to T3. Follow signs to the ABC gates, and take the train. It is one stop to T3 and the train leaves every 3 1/2 minutes during the day.

Yeah the Air Transat flight would be a little tight, though SATAs plane's are probably in worse condition.

As Longhauler stated, 9 vs 8 seats across AirTransat vs SATA. I flew on SATA last November for just the A310 rides: YYZ-PDL-YYZ. Would loved to have spent more time at PDL.



Links to personal flight pages about this roundtrip:
http://www.aeromoe.com/flightlog/flt558.html
http://www.aeromoe.com/flightlog/flt559.html

What would have been my first ride on the A310 with SATA, turned out to be my second flight. While hanging out in the terminal at YYZ the day before the SATA flight I booked a last minute A310 flight to Montreal on Air Transat and flew a quick roundtrip, coming back on a 737-600. Crew put me up front in Club for the short flight...which was really cool: Page about this flight: http://www.aeromoe.com/flightlog/flt556.html

So, depends on where you're willing to go and if you're sitting in the rear, whether you want 8 or 9 abreast, if that matters at all.

Moe