After some days spent in the Azores, islands of Flores, Faial and Pico, it was time to return to Lisbon. In fact I took the flight S4 4043 from Pico island to Lisbon, via Terceira island, PIX-TER-LIS. Pico airport receives only 2 flights per week from Lisbon with SATA A320. Until the end of March 2015 those flights were operated by TAP, but since the starting of the open skies rules in the Azores TAP only flies, on a daily basis, from LIS to PDL and TER.
I arrived Pico airport 1h30 before departure time, and went to the check-in counter to get my boarding pass and then proceeded to the lounge. With a nice area for such a small airport, I immediately found out that it was not cleaned for a long time and even found out dead insects on the ground. Besides, no drinks or food at all and the magazines were outdated, from 2008! Despite havind good WC, I could not stay there in those poor conditions and waited the remaining time next to the boarding gate.
The A320 CS-TKK landed on time and about 130 pax disembarked at Pico island. To board to Lisbon only about 30 pax. Being a circle flight LIS-PIX-TER-LIS, there were transit passengers from LIS to TER, that remained onboard during the stop at PIX.
When arrving onboard I found out a full C class cabin, mostly with SATA extra crew in transit from LIS to TER. The powerfull take-off (PIX runway has only 1800 m) was on time for the 25 min flight time to Terceira Lajes airport.
No service on this short leg. Arriving at TER all passengers received instructions to disembark with all the hand luggage. I was on the ground for about 25 min still time to make a short visit to the SATA lounge there. I found out some drinks and pretzels.
After boarding again for the leg TER-LIS I found out a full C class cabin with paying passengers (10 pax). After taking-off with about 35 min delay, crew came along to offer newspapers, magazines and refreshing towels and asking if we would like to drink something before the meal. I choose to have a coca-cola along with some pretzels. After it the crew came with the tray containing an appetizer of cold salads, the main course, octopus with baked potatoes and a delicious peach pudding. Also on the tray I could found crackers and cheese. Bread was offered twice from a basket. Very nice meal, tasty and well presented!
After 1h45 flight time we started descend to Lisbon landing about 25 min after schedule time and the disembark was through an air bridge. It was a nice flight with SATA Internacional with good service onboard!
Thanks for sharing this interesting report with us on an airline that is not often reported here. I like teh livery of Sata and the meal service looks nice and is to my taste ! Yet I am not sure everybody likes octopus and I hope there was a choice who those who don't.
I second SKYTEAMCHC on all his comments.
I believe the flight should be referenced PIX to LIS, not PIX to TER.
Thanks for sharing !
In fact there was no choice on the meal... octopus is very popular within Portugal, also TAP Portugal offers it on business class meals very often.
What an interesting meal!
A nice TR, we don't see reviews of these kinds that often.
It always refreshing to see something different.
Which is your favorite Azores island?
Thank you for your comments:) I know all the 9 islands of Azores, each one has its beauty. But I recommend São Miguel, Flores, Faial and Pico.
Thanks, I have never visited Azores but it looks beautiful and I don't know which one to go to lol
I have a trip in future and I will be in Lisboa for 1 week but I don't think there will be time to go to the Azores islands.