TAP Portugal

LHR to LIS return. Outbound flight cancelled due to ATC strike. TAP call centre was closed so we headed to the airport early and the ticket office informed us we were automatically rebooked to the next flight there was a flight leaving in 45 minutes - they got us on it. Flight fine and included free sandwich and drinks. Return was fine there was a medical emergency which the crew handled well.

I use TAP in Europe on average 2/3 times a month usually very good staff usually much better than Iberia and with kids much better than BA. However just flown them Transatlantic and altogether a different experience - quite simply appalling. Firstly the airport VCP which TAP sell as São Paulo is actually in a different city Campinas. Onboard is a very cramped A340 with very limited entertainment all big screens in centre and no choice. Service dire though call button was faulty but answered 2 hours later. We upgraded on the way back and although better than TAP economy certainly lot of room for improvement given extra price.

LIS-SSA and GIG-LIS. In Lisbon the usual mess at the gate and need to take the bus to get to the plane even on an expensive long-haul flight. The seats are awful very small leg room and entertainment system in the old A330 is very poor. The food is ok but flight attendants just disappear after the meals. Overall experience is average.

LHR-LIS-EWR. A lot better than expected great food and plenty of drink on offer. No champagne on the New York flight good breakfast on the first leg. Great lounge in Lisbon if rather small - if price is right I would book them again.

Munich-Lisbon-Praia return. A serious improvement from last flights. Flights were on time connections worked well and the earlier departing flights to Africa from Lisbon make the journey shorter and much nicer now. Food was very good not much but fresh and well presented as it should be. Wine was - like always - very good. Nothing to complain about this time.

Return EWR-LIS. Aircraft spotless and comfortable. Entertainment System faulty both ways. Food quite decent. Crew efficient but indifferent to assisting the individual. Twice crew responded to my crew light by turning it off and walking past without a word. Do not expect anything but your meals and little else.

Lisbon-Fortaleza. No idea why TAP uses its oldest A330 on this expensive route. Extremely cramped old style not-working IFE and seats falling apart. TAP is winning prizes but not with these planes and not on this route.

LGW-LIS LIS-LGW return. Checked in online and chose seats with ease. No queue at LGW for bag drop. Flight on A320 3/4 full free onboard service consisted of chicken roll strawberry juice and full drinks service including alcoholic drinks. Crew friendly and efficient; those in business class get served before economy so there is a 30 min wait for drinks after take off. Luggage claimed within 10 mins of landing! Checked in using machine at Lisbon airport which was really easy again no queue for bag drop. Flight on A319 2/3 full crew attentive same meal as outbound flight. Bags came off quickly. Free baggage allowance is very generous.

Two flights in Economy - MAD-LIS on A319 LIS-DUS on A320. Planes were new and clean boarding procedures normal departures on time - just a brief delay in MAD due to heavy traffic. Onboard service ok - TAP is a "full service airline" even on the short flight from MAD to LIS you get a tuna sandwich and a glass of wine plus mineral water. The 3 hour flight from LIS to DUS offered little more a warm sandwich plus salad and pineapple slices - and only one round of drinks. Pleased with the price-quality ratio on these flights and plan to fly TAP again in the future.

My husband and I travelled from Heathrow to Funchal on the 13 Feb returned from Funchal via Lisbon to Heathrow on the 27 Feb. My husband needed special assistance and everyone was kind and helpful on each trip. Our luggage was delayed by a day on the return journey but it arrived safely.