Madrid to Vigo with Air Europa: A 65-Minute "Time Machine" to the 60s

After navigating the labyrinth of Madrid Barajas, it was time for a short domestic hop to the charming coastal city of Vigo. The flight is a quick 65 minutes, and the destination is a gem Vigo’s airport is small, cute, and just a 10-minute drive from the heart of the city.

But as for the journey itself? Let’s just say it was a reminder of why "low cost" often means "low comfort."

The Aircraft: A Boeing 737-800 Rant

We were assigned a fairly ancient and scruffy Boeing 737-800. I’ll be honest: the 737 is one of my least favorite aircraft. It’s essentially a 1960s design that Boeing keeps duct-taping new updates onto, but none of those updates seem to benefit the passenger. It’s a narrow-body relic, and this particular one had seen much better days.

I was secretly hoping we’d get one of the new 737 MAX jets Air Europa has started receiving I even saw one parked right next to us on the tarmac but no such luck. We were stuck with the "vintage" version. No screens, no entertainment, just worn-out leather seats that told the story of a thousand previous flights.

The "European Business Class" Mystery

The plane follows the standard European configuration. Up front, you have Business Class, which in Europe is just a fancy way of saying "the same three seats, but we blocked the middle one."

I genuinely don’t understand people who pay a premium for Business on a one-hour flight in a plane like this, all for a sandwich and a cup of coffee. But hey, to each their own. Behind the curtain, it was the usual 3x3 layout, and that’s where things got... tight.

The "Torture" Test

The legroom (or lack thereof) was some of the most cramped I’ve ever encountered. If you are over 180 cm tall, this flight isn't just a trip; it’s a test of physical endurance. Even for a one-hour flight, it felt like a mild form of torture.

On the bright side, the boarding process was surprisingly smooth. Air Europa’s app is efficient enough, and the zone-based boarding actually worked. I had Priority (Group A), and the process was organized and painless.

Service: The Vanishing Crew

Since there are no screens, the flight attendants performed the safety demo manually. Once we were airborne, the service was virtually non-existent for Economy. Not even a drop of water was offered.

In Business, a lone flight attendant quickly handed out sandwiches and drinks, but in the back, the crew mostly retreated to the galley and disappeared for the duration of the flight. This "zero engagement" style is something I’ve noticed with Air Europa before, even on their long-haul Dreamliner flights.

The Saving Grace: Vigo

The best part of the flight was ending it. Landing at Vigo’s small airport is a breeze. Because it’s so close to the city, you can go from the cabin to a tapas bar in the city center in about 20 minutes flat.

Scorecard: Air Europa (MAD -> VGO)

Category	Score	Notes
Aircraft (737-800)	5	Old, worn, and outdated.
Boarding	8	Efficient zone system; Priority worked well.
Legroom/Comfort	4	A nightmare for anyone over 180cm.
Service	5	Non-existent, though expected for this length.
Total Experience	7	It gets you there, but don't expect a smile.

The Verdict: If you’re flying to Vigo, the convenience of the destination airport is worth the cramped hour in the air. Just don't expect the "Red Carpet" treatment—or even a glass of water.

Are you a 737 fan or do you agree that Boeing needs to move on? Let’s argue about it in the comments!