What are TAP Heathrow-Lisbon flights like?

carolyn · Post by **carolyn** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:51 pm

We have decided to try the 'flying to Lisbon and then driving route' for our usual trip to CVO next May half term. Consequently have booked from Heathrow to Lisbon with TAP. TAP was cheapest at £200 this compared to BA at £260 or alternatively anything to Faro from a London airport where minimum I could find was £330! When this is multiplied by 3 there is a big saving!

However - we have never used TAP before and looking on the forum there seem to be grumbles - though most of those related to flights with changes/stopovers. Are the direct flights normally OK? I know others have frequently used this route - but with TAP?? Hope there aren't too many horror stories seeing as I have already booked

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:58 pm

If it is your choice to spend all that money for a flight in May, then that is down to your choice.

Admittedly not from LHR, but there are flights to Lisbon on Budget from places like Luton or Gatwick at a fraction of that price. Even BA from LHR are cheaper, if you choose your day right.

I dont actually know how TAP survive on the Portugal/Uk routes

use the www.skyscanner.co.uk website to check.

carolyn · Post by **carolyn** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:10 pm

Unfortunately we are dictated by school holidays - so we cannot choose our days, and we want to go at May half term - despite the cost.

I used skyscanner and kayak to search on these fixed dates and TAP were the cheapest flights I could find. Most of the charter airlines are quoting £370/£390! I am well aware of the bargains to be had if you do not have these restrictions - we use these for the odd weekend out of season.
However my query is really about what TAP are like for reliability on the Heathrow-Lisbon route.

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:20 pm

We sued to fly LGW - FAO frequently on TAP - excellent.
Have also flown LGW - LIS - equally good.
And even LGW - LIS - FAO (don't ask why!) good.

But all this was over 2 years ago before they stopped flying to FAO

fmm · Post by **fmm** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:33 pm

If I book early enough then Luton/Gatwick to Faro is less than £100 per person (during school holidays). However, I don't think that the Easyjet flights have been released so you can't book them!

snowbirds · Post by **snowbirds** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:40 pm

We have used TAP direct from Heathrow to Lisbon and found them to be very good; perhaps we were lucky but they were on time and the service and staff excellent. No complaints at all. Coming down on the motorway there is very pleasant scenery and it is an easy drive.

roy4eyes · Post by **roy4eyes** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:53 am

Richard - why did you have to sue them? food poisoning?lost luggage?

Hoser · Post by **Hoser** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:15 am

This January we flew TAP from Heathrow to Lisbon then Faro. Only delay was at the start, as the flight originated in the Azores and the servicing company did not show up that morning. As a result the flight arrived at Heathrow about 20 minutes late thereby leaving app. 45 minutes after its scheduled departure time. The Captain and crew were very up front with the info and apologetic. Flight was good.

We used TAP on the return trip to Heathrow on April 1st. Only thing we found was the reception at Faro airport was not too swift. I guess at 6:00am the staff at the airport were still asleep or didn't have their wakeup coffee. Otherwise the flight was good. Compared to Air Canada, TAP airplanes are more up to date with leather seats and plenty of space to sit comfortably. I would definitely use them again.

tomgibson · Post by **tomgibson** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:29 pm

I have only used Lisbon airport once and never will do so again out of choice.

It is probably one of the busiest airports I have ever experienced anywhere and the check in/passport control was so busy and slow on our return journey that we nearly missed our flight.

An experience I do not wish to repeat.

Rossidog · Post by **Rossidog** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:58 pm

I have not flown TAP to the UK for some time (I used to, their A340's are excellent), but I have flown to Madeira and the Açores with them recently. I have never had a bad flight, the ony problems I have had were related to hurricane conditions in Madeira - not their fault. In my view, TAP do not deserve their "Take Another Plane" tag. e-richard, I remember the Manchester-Porto-Lisbon-Faro flight, and twice went Faro-Lisbon-Manchester (with Portugalia). The best bit for me is taking off and landing so I was in heaven, but my family were not so amused.