As some of you may remember, my last intra-Europe flight on TAP Air Portugal left a bit to be desired. Specifically, the flight had virtually no service in business class, apparently due to a labor dispute. So the flight attendants just sat in the galley the whole flight chatting, and business class passengers got exactly…
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@ Ben -- We flew this POS airline three years ago. Worst business class flight ever, by far. I swear you were on a different airline. I will go out of my way to never fly them again.
We had 3 x 2 seating with no blocked seats, no food or alcohol was served, and I was refused a refill of my water, which was served in a plastic cup. All this for an extra 15,000 miles per person. COMPLETE RIP OFF.
Trust me....it is a different airline compared to 3 years ago. Your experience may vary, of course. No 2 flights are the same, even on the same airline....but things are quite different these days.
Don’t trust Mauricio. TAP is the same sh.. it was. Customer satisfaction is an incomprehensible concept for TAP employees. The best they can think of it is sticking to the regulation and customer unfriendly company policies. Also the tension that existed between flight attendants and company has not been fully resolved yet. You are rolling a worse than fair wheel each time you fly TAP, you may occasionally get a good flight and that’s it.
You sure do fly with a lot of people who either sit near you, or next to you that pass gas.
^^ Things change? I doubt it. I am nearly certain that this woman still passes gas repeatedly. Remember, Lucky wrote...
The only other memorable aspect of the flight was that the lady in front of me was passing gas nonstop from the moment we boarded until we deplaned. About halfway through the flight I wanted to remind her that the plane has a bathroom, because I’m not sure she was aware.
Towards the end of the flight I checked out the lavatory at the front of the cabin, which was reasonably clean but fairly no frills.
--
One reason the lavatory was clean was because that woman didn't use it to go potty.
Passengers who habitually pass gas should be given miles to self report that they are such a passenger then seated in a special Flatus Class.
I'm sorry, but where is the business class? it looks like an all-economy plane
You should try and compare with Iberia intra-european business class. And if you can catch one of the A319 with a real business class seat, it’s even better
I fly TAP when I can get ultra-low-cost tickets. For example, that legendarily cheap JFK to LIS to GRU flight in 2016 or between Europe and Africa. Otherwise it's not worth the money.
I actually really like TAP - though I feel like I'm relatively alone in that opinion.
Fares to anywhere in Europe from the East Coast are generally super cheap in J or Y, crews generally seem young and happy to be there, and I think Lisbon is a great airport to transit - small enough that there are no miles long treks involved, but good shopping and food options. I also like that they leave from the JetBlue terminal at JFK - it's nearly empty later in the evening, so security is a breeze.
I've largely switched my business to them from BA for one-stop Europe hops.
This trip report is completely devoid of the pertinent details.
Where they silent but violent? Audible with a nasal je ne sais quoi? Probability of minor follow through which rendered lady partly paralysed in seat for fear of leakage en route to toilet?
Please ensure greater focus is given the most important details going forward.
@Lucky
I'm just curious, how did you know that it was that specific woman passing the gas? Was it audible? 😀
Lucky,
Unfortunately its not like this everywhere so you cant say that TAP has one of the best business product in UE. Depends on the plane and the route. I used to fly with them in business between Warsaw and Lisbon and the crew was lazy and unhappy, the food was untasty and the cabin was dirty. Sorry... As always everything depends on the plane and people.
@n As stated by Lucky, all intra-European flights in business class are identical to economy class, but the difference is that the middle seat is blocked. Also, there is a different level of service, meal, and amenities provided.
I can’t believe they call that Business Class! Looks exactly like economy to me! I don’t want a blocked seat next to me I want a proper business class seat. If all the European airlines are the same they need to come to Asia or Australia to see how business class should be done.
I have a flight booked with TAP from Porto (OPO) to Frankfurt later this year. I was not looking forward to it at all given your review of TAP previously. It was simply the quickest non-stop available so suited me. However I noticed that all OPO-FRA flights that day were marked 'operated by Lufthansa' which cheered me up somewhat.
Incidently, it was much better value by far to pay cash for the ticket rather than use Avianca LifeMiles! Maybe LM needs to catch up with reality.
Sally - They are well aware what other countries do. Europeans however are not willing to spend the extra money required to make such a cabin profitable.
@Steve
It happens from time to time, almost always up the front , in my observation. From Timpani-like 'performances' to nauseating assaults on the olfactory system. Some shameless , thoughtless DYKWIAs ...probably having consumed thousands and thousands of gas inducing foods and champagnes.Unpleasant.
Less likely behind the curtains: the horny-handed sons and daughters of toil in economy are much more respectful of their fellow travelers.
My things change comment was referring to someone's experience on the flight from 3 years ago, not the flatulence of one of the other passengers.
@callum
Plus, most inter-European flights aren't long enough for people to care about the seat itself.
The best intra-Europe business class would be Turkish or Aeroflot.....the rest are totally crap.... be it Lufthansa or be it Swiss!
The best intra-Europe business class would be Turkish or Aeroflot.....the rest are totally crap.... be it Lufthansa or be it Swiss!
@Red
The problem with Turkish or Aeroflot is neither are well placed for true intra-Europe flights, you will either end up using the whole day flying back and forth or spend the night in their main hubs.
Spending the night bring with it problem of their own due to visa in both countries, and the security situation in Turkey.
Great product if you are connecting to/from a long haul flight, but basically useless intra-Europe for passengers who need to get some where in timely manner.
Hence while it's a great product, it's not an great intra-European business class.
If time and money is in endless supply and the plane trip is main part of the journey, you would be better of taking a long haul flight to another continent before doubling back to your destination.
Flying BRU-DXB-LIS in EK F would beat SU or TK recliner seats any time, not than any of these airlines sell tickets BRU-Home hub-LIS
@red Latam between madrid and frankfurt is quite good.
Apart from that, Swiss is not bad, there's more legroom space at least and the food is actually delicious (at least on the flight from FCO to ZRH I took). It's lightyear's better than BA
I will admit - I am a regular gas passer when I travel. I show little regard for those around me.
I've flown TAP a half-dozen times over the past two years, mostly between various European cities and Madeira - with airplane changes at Lisbon or Oporto. All my flights have been pretty much on-time, they have been staffed with friendly, immaculately-groomed flight attendants, and even when traveling in Economy, a light meal has been served on every single flight. Ground staff have been friendly and helpful as well.
Most recently I traveled in Business Class aboard an ERJ-190, (operated by Portugalia) from Lisbon to Toulouse, and despite the short flight time a very tasty breakfast was served.
I never used to be a fan of TAP, but I'm certainly becoming one!
@Lucky
Gotta disagree with you on several points:
1. Blankets and pillows aren't always available... I just flew the same route and there were none on board; the crew wasn't even apologetic and just told me they are now only given on long-haul flights.
2. You were quite fortunate with a nice crew, for the crew I had wasn't particularly friendly and they explicitly told me that I couldn't take pictures (but I did anyway, haha).
3. One point you don't mention is that on short-haul flights, the TAP Executive Cabin is only separated from Economy by a small curtain in the aisle, i.e., there are no small curtains on either side of the cabin meaning that Economy passengers can directly look into Business the entire flight.
I’ve never flown this airline, but the look of the “business” class cabin...I was stunned! I sure wouldn’t waste my money/points on economy seating for this. Ewwwww...!