I Flew Air Europa Basic Economy for a Week—Here’s My Honest Review

Traveling in Basic Economy always feels like a gamble. You pay less, you expect less, but you never truly know how much comfort you’re sacrificing until you’re actually in the air. Earlier this month, I booked a full week of travel on Air Europa—all in Basic Economy—to see what the experience was really like from check-in to landing.

If you’re comparing different airlines and want more details about Air Europa as well, you can explore this helpful guide here:

Seven days, four flights, two airports, and one carry-on later, I came back with a clearer picture of what Air Europa offers at its lowest price point.

Here’s my honest review.

Booking the Ticket: Simple, But With Fine Print

Air Europa’s booking process is straightforward, but Basic Economy comes with limitations you need to pay attention to:

• Seat assignment costs extra
• Checked bags are not included
• Even overhead bin space can be restricted on the lowest tier
• Changes and refunds are very limited

The upside?

The fares were genuinely cheaper than similar flights on other European carriers. For short trips or budget travelers, this alone can be a strong selling point. Just make sure you read the fare details, because every add-on increases the total cost quickly.

Check-In: Manageable—Unless You Need to Change Something

Online check-in opened exactly 48 hours before departure. The mobile app worked fine, though not as modern as some competitors. I checked in without issues, but I quickly learned that:

• Changing your seat after check-in is pricey
• Customer support lines are long during peak hours
• The app doesn’t show upgrade offers as clearly as other airlines

Still, if you travel light and don’t try to adjust anything last minute, the process is smooth.

Boarding: Efficiency Over Warmth

Boarding with Air Europa feels highly procedural. Gate agents move passengers fast, and announcements are clear, but don’t expect warm greetings or personal interaction. Basic Economy passengers board near the end, which is normal for this fare.

• If you’re traveling with a carry-on, boarding late means:
• Overhead bins may fill up
• Gate agents may tag bags for free check-in

This happened on one of my flights. It wasn’t a huge issue, but if you prefer to keep your bag with you, consider paying for priority boarding.

The Seats: Compact but Not Uncomfortable

Here’s where expectations matter. Air Europa’s Basic Economy seat is exactly what you’d expect from a modern budget-friendly carrier:

• Seat pitch: Average
• Legroom: Manageable for short flights
• Seat comfort: Firm but fine for under 3 hour
• Cabin cleanliness: Consistently good
• In-flight entertainment: Not available on most short-haul routes

If you’re tall, the regular seats may feel tight. If you want a window or aisle, absolutely pay for seat selection—otherwise, you’ll likely end up in the middle.

Service: Minimal but Professional

Basic Economy doesn’t come with extras, but the crew on all my flights were:

• Polite
• Efficient
• Quick to respond to requests

They’re not overly chatty or attentive—you’re very much left alone unless you press the call button—but the service is consistent.

Food and drinks are available for purchase, and prices are what you’d expect for inflight service. Bring your own snacks if you want to avoid paying €3 for a small cookie.

Punctuality: Surprisingly Good

This was the part that impressed me most.

All four of my flights:

• Departed on time
• Arrived either early or within minutes of the scheduled time
• Had smooth boarding and deplaning

For a budget-friendly fare, reliability is a huge plus.

The Downsides: A Few Things to Know

No Basic Economy experience is perfect. Here are the parts that stood out:

1. Cabin Space Is Tight

Especially when flights are full. Overhead storage fills quickly.

2. No Frills at All

No entertainment screens, no free snacks, no included extras.

3. Customer Service Is Hard to Reach

If anything goes wrong, getting help requires patience.

4. Add-Ons Add Up

The low fare looks great until you start adding:

• Seat selection
• Priority boarding
• Checked bags
• Snacks

If you need all of those, you might as well book a higher fare.

Final Verdict: Worth It—If You Know What You’re Buying

It’s a solid, reliable option for budget-conscious travelers who are realistic about what Basic Economy offers.

If you:

✔ Travel light

✔ Don’t care where you sit

✔ Prioritize price over perks

✔ Want on-time flights

…then Air Europa delivers exactly what you pay for.

But if you:

✘ Need extra legroom

✘ Want inflight entertainment

✘ Prefer more personal service

✘ Travel with family or kids