TAP Portugal

Scheduled to fly Boston to Ponta Delgada 10 May in business class. Our connecting flight from ABQ was cancelled due to equipment failure with the result that we could not reach Boston in time to make this flight. We phoned Air Portugal's 800 number from the ABQ airport and the call was routed to Portugal. Their reservations staff could not have been less helpful. Because a travel agent had made our booking they insisted that only she could change or cancel it. I explained that she was at a funeral out of state but they insisted that the rule was the rule and would not help me schedule another flight. They did say that another flight would cost us $2600 per person when she scheduled the change. We cancelled our trip.

Flew GRU-OPO-ORY in business class on A332. The seat is not full flat crew were harsh when dealing with passengers. This was my third transcontinental flight with TAP left feeling that they are doing us a favor. Really an inferior service and rude! I do not recommend!

Lisbon-Geneva in an A320. Smooth and friendly check-in (TP web check-in wouldn't work for a connecting flight on Swiss another Star Alliance airline). Our baggage was sent through to Athens. Boarding was by bus - there was a long draughty wait on the bus in the cold weather. Once on board the service was polite and efficient the seats were reasonably comfortable and a good small breakfast was served. The flight arrived a little early.

We flew TAP from Casablanca to Lisbon last Sunday. The flights in the afternoon were all cancelled. We missed all our connecting flights to Malta the next day. The only food we were given on the flight to Lisbon was a packet of peanuts. The only food on the flight from Lisbon to UK was a ham and cheese roll. We won't be recommending TAP.

London Gatwick to Lisbon on an A319. Apart from a 15 minute delay and a rather chaotic disembarkation process in Lisbon (bussed to terminal) this was a pleasant flight. A tasty roll was served with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages the plane was clean and comfortable and the crew friendly.

Miami-Lisbon Business Class Seat 2A. Got to Miami Airport early enough to enjoy the Biz Class lounge. Check in was a breeze. The lounge could have been much better. Lisbon's TAP Biz Class lounge is much more superior. Boarding was on time and I was greeted by a Flight attendant who immediately took my coat. Offered champagne. Flight upfront was quite light with 15 of us. Offered amenity kit menus and noise cancelling headsets prior to take off. Once in the air drink service started followed by dinner consisting of table setting with appetizer salad with garnishes soup and an entree. I took the fish that surprisingly was delicious. Prior to landing a cold breakfast was served. Landed in LIS 30 minutes early off the airplane first and retrieved my suitcase. Flight was very nice on a newly reconfigured A330 with LED lights. Seat was comfortable and crew were superb.

LGW-OPO return. As a Star Alliance gold card holder one of the reasons I chose to travel with TAP was the possibility of lounge access. Unfortunately this was not forthcoming at LGW where I was told that only members of the TAP loyalty scheme are allowed access. Flight out okay on time poor food but legroom at front of the economy cabin good. Lounge in OPO allowed access with good facilities flight back on time food again poor and much less legroom in row 9. Overall if TAP are not recognising Star Alliance cards I will fly with Easyjet in future.

São Paulo-Lisbon. Once more the flight was delayed but this is standard with TAP Portugal. Staff on board were very unprofessional boarding chaotic with cabin crew ignoring passengers no help with baggage coats or senior passengers. Airplane was old with refurbished interior already collapsing. TAP is definable on is decline level of service. Food cold and dry and no options to change. Cabin Crew spend 80% of the time chatting behind a curtain. Arrival at Lisbon airport was chaotic with long queues.

EWR-AGP by way of LIS. March 18 outbound. Unremarkable flight. Left on time and arrived a bit early. A330 with okay entertainment. Decent meal service but the snack promised near landing never appeared. We arrived early morning in LIS and were never offered coffee. That seemed odd to me but all else okay. My partner forgot a package on board the plane and crew helped retrieve it before we changed planes. Transfer made easily. Return AGP-EWR with an overnight layover in LIS. Chose this flight because was $1000 cheaper each than others making the overnight hotel bill acceptable. All flights on time. Return LIS-EWR on A340 and much better entertainment. Crew excellent all legs.

FRA-LIS-SSA. Generally much better than expected. Connections both ways were easy and on-time seats and cabin were same as usual (it was a new A330) meals very good staff realistically friendly rather than over the top and also good value. Improvements? Why not inform transit passengers before landing of the Gate Numbers for connections (as Lufthansa)? Notices at LIS could be improved for transit passengers.