Al 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 ceramic matrix composites (CMC) are candidate materials for hot-gas leading components of gas turbines. Since Al 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 CMC are prone to hot-corrosion in combustion environments, the development of environmental barrier coatings (EBC) is mandatory. Owing to its favorable chemical stability and thermal properties, Y 2 O 3 is considered a candidate EBC material for Al 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 CMC. Up to 1 mm thick Y 2 O 3 coatings were deposited by means of air plasma spraying (APS) on Al 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 CMC with a reaction-bonded Al 2 O 3 bond-coat (RBAO). APS Y 2 O 3 coatings exhibit a good adherence in the as-deposited state as well as upon isothermal annealing up to 1400 • C. Moreover, furnace cyclic testing performed at 1200 • C revealed an excellent durability. This is explained by the formation of a continuous, approximately 1 m thick reaction zone at the APS Y 2 O 3 /RBAO interface. The reaction zone between Y 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 comprises three layers of thermodynamically stable yttrium-aluminates exhibiting strong bonding, respectively.