TAP Air Portugal
Portugal’s flag carrier, operating full-service flights from Lisbon with an extensive European network and particularly strong links to Brazil, Africa and Atlantic islands.
About TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is Portugal’s flag carrier and traces its origins to 1945, when it was established as Transportes Aéreos Portugueses. The airline later adopted the shorter TAP identity while retaining a distinctly Portuguese brand. After periods of public and private ownership, TAP returned to majority Portuguese state ownership and has undergone restructuring intended to improve its financial and operational position.
Lisbon is TAP’s primary hub and the centre of its connecting network, while Porto is its second-largest Portuguese departure point. The airline operates 302 routes serving 97 destinations across 38 countries. Its schedule combines domestic services with extensive European flying and long-haul links to Brazil, North America and Africa, alongside important routes to Madeira and the Azores.
TAP has long relied primarily on Airbus aircraft. Types associated with its operations include the Airbus A319, A320 and A321 families for short- and medium-haul flights and Airbus A330 aircraft for long-haul services; earlier records also include the A310 and A340. Mainline flights generally offer Economy and Business Class, with the exact seat, meal and baggage proposition varying by aircraft and route.
The airline has belonged to Star Alliance since 2005, giving eligible passengers access to a broad partner network and reciprocal status benefits. Its loyalty programme is TAP Miles&Go, through which members can earn and redeem miles on TAP and participating partners. Benefits for status holders can include priority services, additional baggage allowances and lounge access, subject to membership level and itinerary.
TAP’s strongest practical advantage is its geography: Lisbon works well as a connecting point between Europe and destinations across the Atlantic, particularly Brazil. Travellers can also find a broad choice of Portuguese domestic and island connections. However, connection times, aircraft interiors and the consistency of ground handling may vary, so passengers should review the operating aircraft, fare conditions and transfer schedule before booking.
Good to know
Flying with TAP Air Portugal — what to expect
Check Fare Conditions
TAP’s fare families include different baggage, seat-selection and change conditions. Compare the inclusions carefully before choosing the lowest advertised fare.
Lisbon Connections
Lisbon is TAP’s principal transfer hub and can become busy during peak periods. Allow a comfortable connection, especially when passport control or a terminal-area change is involved.
Cabin Bag Rules
Carry-on limits depend on the cabin, fare and itinerary, and both size and weight may be checked. Confirm the allowance shown on your booking before travelling.
Long-Haul Cabins
Long-haul aircraft generally offer Economy and Business Class, but seating and amenities vary by aircraft configuration. Check the operating aircraft and seat map before selecting a seat.
Star Alliance Benefits
Eligible Star Alliance frequent flyers can receive reciprocal benefits such as priority handling or lounge access. The exact entitlement depends on status, operating carrier and itinerary.
Atlantic Network Strength
TAP is particularly useful for itineraries linking Europe with Brazil, Portuguese islands and parts of Africa. A Lisbon connection may provide more options than a nonstop itinerary from a smaller European city.
Network overview
Where TAP Air Portugal flies
TAP Air Portugal operates 302 routes to 97 destinations across 38 countries, its longest sector reaching Lisbon to Porto Alegre (8,800 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities TAP Air Portugal flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Lisbon → Porto Alegre
8,800 km · LIS → POA
The longest sector in the TAP Air Portugal network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by TAP Air Portugal
Tracked TAP Air Portugal routes touch Portugal, Brazil, Spain.
Reviews of TAP Air Portugal
TripAdvisor · 2023–2023- 50
- 42
- 32
- 22
- 144
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Baggage scam!
My wife and I just completed a wonderful 3 week vacation in Spain, Italy and Morocco. We flew on TAP from SFO to Lisbon and then to Seville. We checked 1 bag cost 150$. Upon returning we traveled the exact same way back, but this time a little surprise awaited… See more us. TAP Airlines calls it "baggage control" At the TAP gate! in Lisbon we had to have carry on luggage weighed. We were told that we are only allowed carry on kilos per person. Our total carry on was 28 kilos, we were forced to pay at the gate 165 euros to check an additional bag! They must have nailed at least 40 passengers with that scam. Shame on you TAP! NO WONDER YOU'RE IN BANKRUPTCY! WILL NEVER FLY YOUR AIRLINES AGAIN!
See lessPosted August 2023 by Mark S, Marysville
Lost my luggage and had my flight cancelled , abandoned in the airport for 12 hours.
TAPair are the worst airline I have ever flown with. from start to finish it was a shambles. Complete lack of professionalism at every level particularly in Portugal but even in the UK. They took our hand luggage from us at Lisbon, failing to scan it meaning… See more there was no possibility of locating it or connecting to our baggage or receipts. I want to also add that our hand luggage was taken even though being at least 2kg under and we were the first in line for the plane, the holds were pretty much empty. They put us in the plane and after an hour of sitting on the tarmac they cancelled the flight. We then waited 2 hours 30 minutes to be told anything. We were given no water while we waited and there was no communication. We then we’re told they were putting us on separate flights the next day. The first one being 7:40, which was the flight my family and I were getting on. We were then told to make our way to baggage claim/lost and found. My question was why on earth would our luggage be going to lost and found? After waiting over an hour at lost an found where we were met with nothing but hostility and rudeness , we decided to move on and find a pet of the airport to call home for 12 hours. They refused to even find the luggage after telling them multiple times there was life saving medication in the cases for my grandmother and my mother. That is inhumane and cruel. Given that we are now in 2023 you would’ve thought that they would’ve been able to connect our luggage with each flight that different people left Portugal on the next day. But when we eventually landed in Heathrow, we then waited ages to speak to a representative of TAPair only to be sent on a wild goose chase the same way we were sent around at Lisbon airport. When we got to the checking in area at Heathrow which was where we were sent to track the luggage, the staff scanned our luggage receipts, and there was no record on the system of our luggage. They failed to do the most basic task in Portugal of scanning our hand luggage that was taken away from us may I add. One of the women that went through the whole ordeal with us had an AirTag in her hand luggage and it was showing that the luggage hadn’t even left Portugal. After being abandoned in the airport for 12 hours and losing my whole family’s luggage I can assure you this is not an airline you want to fly with. Problems occur a lot when flying but never to this extent and I have flown with multiple airlines and I’ve never ever had this problem. The whole of TAPair whether that’s the check in staff, the ground staff, the crew members have no idea what customer service is and are rude and obnoxious and do not care for their customers. I urge you not to book with this company if you value your belongings, your sleep, your money, your sanity and your blood pressure
See lessPosted June 2023 by K M
DO NOT FLY—LUGGAGE LOST FOREVER
I flew from Lisbon to Newark on June 30, 2022 and TAP lost three of my five luggages. Since I did not have internet service at the airport and could not file the required PIR claim, the TAP representative at Newark’s baggage claim offered to file the report on… See more my behalf. Well, he never did and I was unable to do so when I got home because TAP’s website said my bag tags did not exist. Every time I called (I once racked up a $90 Verizon wireless international charge for a phone number TAP said was toll free), or emailed, TAP continued to ask for the PIR I was unable to get. Most suspiciously, three and four months after my trip, respectively, two of my three lost luggages were returned (I had to go to Newark to pick them up) using the information I labeled each bag with. One year later, however, the bag with my most valuable possessions is still missing and TAP continues to cite the lack of a PIR claim as the reason they cannot assist me. DO NOT FLY TAP BECAUSE YOU MAY NEVER GET YOUR LUGGAGE BACK AND THEY WILL FAIL TO ASSIST YOU IN ANY REASONABLE MANNER NOR OFFER COMPENSATION FOR THEIR ERRORS.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Sophia + Matt
Acts like budget, costs much more
TAP is the worst flight experience I've had, and this includes random African regional airlines. -Allowed us to check in luggage for free on one leg, then charged on the next (without any indication of charges until the gate). Fighting this charge currently,… See more as I found this extremely deceitful. -staff acts like they are doing you a favor, both on the ground and in the air. For my return flight, I asked a question about checking my luggage (knowing full well what had happened before) and they responded tersely before walking away as if I had offended her. -Speaking of the above, TAP can only check luggage in for a flight out of Madrid 2 hours in advance - when it is advised to be at the airport 2-3 hours early + there being announcements that US-bound individuals should be at the boarding gate 2 hours early. I will pay additional money and take on layovers to avoid ever traveling on TAP portugal again.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Jacob E
MUST READ REVIEW - SAVE YOURSELF - DON'T CHOOSE TAPAIR
This is the worst Airline i have ever dealt with. After purchasing a flight ticket directly from their website and then completed web Check-In i came to the airport knowing all i need to do is to send my luggages. Shockingly! the ladies at the check in… See more informed me that there is an issue with my ticket and right now i'm blocked in their system (at that point it's 3 hours before departure) Blocked? why? i paid full price, the money was already deducted from my bank account and even managed to complete the check-in online and chose seats. After they sent me to talk with so many people, eventually they DIDN'T ACCEPT me as a passenger because I DIDN'T PURCHASE A RETURN TICKET THROUGH THEM AS WELL. Can you believe it? you probably thinking right now that the airline's right because many countries won't let you in without a ticket out of the country - BUT I HAD A TICKET OUT! i bought it from a different airline and showed them a receipt! but they said i had to buy it through them. (wasn't mentioned anywhere when i bought the tickets) They said they're sorry that's their policy and they will refund me. I'M STILL CHASING THEM FOR MY MONEY UNTIL NOW! When i'm calling they're telling me "use our website services to request a refund," through the website it says contact our support team. never ending back and forth. This is a nightmare, I hope by sharing with you guys my experience at least you won't have to go through what i did.
See lessPosted June 2023 by dansr95, Bangkok
STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS
RED FLAG, they made me check in my carry on bag... Here comes the nightmare: My flight from Newark to Lisbon was delayed by 2 hours which made me lose my connection from Lisbon to Rome. My connection from Lisbon to Rome was suppose to depart at 7 am and they… See more assigned a flight until 8 pm! After long lines, total chaos at customer service , many people angry and desperate trying to change their new flights, they finally assigned me a new flight at 1 pm. This 1 pm flight was delayed 1.5 hours as well, I ended up arriving at 8 pm. The top everything off , they lost our luggage!!! I was in Rome without anything at all for 2 days !!!! sinc
See lessPosted June 2023 by Marvin Flores-Todd
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
More from Portugal
Other airlines based in Portugal
FAQ
TAP Air Portugal — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- TAP Air Portugal’s longest route is Lisbon to Porto Alegre, about 8,800 km nonstop.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Fares are often lower outside the European summer, Christmas, Easter and other peak travel periods. Midweek departures and flexible dates can help, but prices depend heavily on the route and how full the flight is.
- The busiest departure points by route count are Lisbon, Porto, Brasilia, Belem and Funchal. Lisbon is the airline’s principal hub and offers its widest selection of connections.
- TAP Air Portugal’s primary hub is Lisbon Airport. Porto is its second major Portuguese departure point, while Brasilia, Belem and Funchal also rank among its busiest departure airports by route count.
- TAP Air Portugal flies to 97 destinations across 38 countries, operating 302 routes.
- TAP serves domestic Portuguese destinations, major European cities and long-haul markets in Brazil, North America and Africa. Notable destinations include Porto, Funchal, Ponta Delgada, Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife, Brasilia, Belem and Fortaleza.
- The allowance varies by cabin, fare and route, with restrictions applying to both dimensions and weight. Passengers should check the baggage terms displayed in their TAP booking because lower fares may have more limited inclusions.