01 May, 2010

Spanair

Spanair






Spanair is a Spanish based European airline that started operating in 1986, it mainly provides low cost European scheduled flights, many within Spain and the Spanish Islands,  with some long haul charters and services.   It''s reputation has taken a knock recently when it entered an 'emergency financial situation'  and needed a loan from the local government of over 10 million Euro.     


Service on the flights is provided by a mainly Spanish cabin crew, as the focus is on low costs,  meals are not usually included in the lower fares, however there is a snack selection for purchase on the flight.  prices for a can of soda and a sandwich will set you back 7 euro.    The on-time record of Spanair is rather disappointing, most flights depart a little late,  however, it should be noted the vast majority of Spanish departures are slightly delayed. 




No UK reservation office,  so best to either book online or call the Spanish service centre.




























History

Spanair S.A., a Spanish airline was founded in December of 1986. Spanair began operations with its international charter flights at the end of March 1988, carrying tourists to Spain from more than 100 European airports. Since then more than 104* million passengers have flown with Spanair.

In February of 1994 Spanair began its domestic scheduled operation within Spain, while at the same time establishing its ground personnel service system. At present, 87% of the company’s flights are scheduled, while the remaining 13% are split between Charter and other operations*.
Spanair
In November of 1997 Spanair began its first scheduled flights to intercontinental markets with service between Madrid and Dulles international airport in Washington. This was followed by flights from Madrid to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Havana, which have led to code share agreements with many prestigious airlines.

On March 2002 Spanair becomes a member of the SAS Group. Since April 1st 2003, Spanair, is a member of the Star Alliance network, the biggest and most successful airline alliance in the world.  

Since the 10th of March 2008, in order to increase its flexibility, Spanair launched its Spanairx4 product, which gives customers flying its domestic routes the option of choosing between four different flight classes: Business, Avant, Economy Plus and Economy. The company is thereby offering its passengers a time-saving product, which enhances flexibility and adds to the advantages offered by the four classes.
On 31st January 2009 Iniciatives Empresarials Aeronàutiques (IEASA) acquire a majority stake of 80.1% in Spanair and SAS Group remains a 19.9% minority shareholder in Spanair and acts as its industrial partner.

DESTINATIONS
To see the Spanair domestic destinations, please click here  
To see the Spanair internactional destinations, please click here

















Crash


Spanair Flight JK 5022, from Madrid to Gran Canaria crashed just after take off from runway 36L of Barajas Airport at 14:25 on 20 August 2008. The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, registration EC-HFP. It was the first fatal accident for Spanair in the 20-year history of the company, and the 14th fatal accident and 24th hull loss involving MD-80series aircraft. It was the world's deadliest aviation accident in 2008 and Spain's deadliest in 25 years. 154 people died; six died en route to the hospital, one died overnight and one died in the hospital three days later. Only 18 people survived.


The aircraft had first entered service in November 93 with Korean Airlines and had flown for Spanair since 1999. It was considered a safe aircraft to fly.  After lengthy investigations it was found that the cause of the accident was mainly down to pilot error,  as no flaps had been extended for the take off,  mechanical fault was also a contributory factor as an alarm should have sounded, but failed to do so, which would have alerted the flight day to the incorrect positioning of flaps. 










The Fleet


The current fleet comprises 36 aircraft distributed as follows:
5 AIRBUS 321, 212 seats
19 AIRBUS 320, 156-180 seats
8 MD (81/82/83/87), 145/153/170/109 seats
4 BOEING 717, 115 seats
 AIRBUS A-321

AIRBUS 321
The Airbus Industrie is a consortium of four of the most prestigious aeronautic firms in Europe: CASA for Spain, Aeroespatial MATRA for France, British Aerospace and Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace for Germany.
The Airbus family is an ambitious project of technological innovation focussed on passenger comfort.
The first of the 23 Airbus family A320 and A321 aircraft, incorporated in our fleet during the last years, was handed over to Spanair on 29th September 2000.
The first plane has been christened Camilo José Cela after our Nobel prize-winner.
Greater cabin capacity in addition to noise and contamination reduction, are some of the factors contributing to a great quality service for the passenger.

 AIRBUS A-320

AIRBUS 320
The Airbus Industrie is a consortium of four of the most prestigious aeronautic firms in Europe: CASA for Spain, Aeroespatial MATRA for France, British Aerospace and Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace for Germany.
The Airbus family is an ambitious project of technological innovation focussed on passenger comfort.
The first of the 23 Airbus family A320 and A321 aircraft, incorporated in our fleet during the last years, was handed over to Spanair on 29th September 2000. 
The first plane has been christened Camilo José Cela after our Nobel prize-winner.
Greater cabin capacity in addition to noise and contamination reduction, are some of the factors contributing to a great quality service for the passenger.

MD

McDONNELL DOUGLAS-MD82/83/87
The MD80 series comprises planes with a seating capacity of 149 to 170. These planes require a minimum crew of two pilots and at least four cabin crew members. They are the most appropriate for domestic or European flights.
Built by McDonnell Douglas at Long Beach, California, USA.
Length: 41.26 m
Width between wings: 32.85 m
Seats: 170
BOEING 717
BOEING 717

The B717-200 have different configurations that can have a size from 115 to 120 seats. This planes require a minimum crew of two pilots and three stewardesses. They are very appropriate for short flights or domestic flights in Europe.

Built by Boeing in Long Beach, California, USA.
Length: 28.44 m
Width between wings: 37.80 m
Seats: 115 a 120


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