Updated June 23, 2020.
My sweet husband and I recently had a lot of “first” travel experiences: first time to Morocco, first time to Africa (for me!), first time glamping, first time in the Sahara Desert, and… first time flying TAP Air Portugal—in business class! Our Airline Loyalty with United gives us Gold status with the whole Star Alliance, which includes TAP. And we actually got an incredible deal to fly in business class using our United miles! Here’s our experience and a review of the flight!
The Flight
This was our first trip with TAP Air Portugal, and actually, this non-stop route was just introduced in June 2019. United also started a non-stop flight on this route this past summer, so we might take another flight to Lisbon in the future!
- Route: IAD (Washington-Dulles) to LIS (Lisbon, Portugal) on TP 232
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
- Flight Time: The flight from IAD to LIS was scheduled for 7 hours and 10 minutes. The departure time for this flight was 10:30pm and arrival at 10:40am.
The Seats
The seats were quite comfortable, which is everything that matters on a long-haul flight whether you’re in Business or Economy. The Business Class seats on this TAP Portugal Flight do lay flat, which is my only hope of sleeping in-flight!
My only issue with these seats is that you cannot control one section of the seat, like the foot rest. The controls effect the position of the whole seat, which made the seat feel awkward when I wanted to recline a bit while the tray table was out. I know, first-world problems, my friends.
Not Flying Business?
Find Out How to Survive Long-Haul Travel in Economy!
Amenities & Entertainment
One of the best perks of flying Business (especially on points!) is the amenities. We got a cushier blanket than we would get in Economy, a larger and fluffier pillow, and a toothbrush. I love when someone else gives me a toothbrush so I don’t have to pack one!
Amenities Kit
This is my favorite part of flying Business. It’s like a little present at my seat!
Entertainment Options
TAP Air Portugal offered an assortment of new releases and older movies as well. I mostly watched the map when I wasn’t sleeping, though!
The Food
The food was okay, but in all honesty, it was only a little tastier and larger than what I would have expected in Economy on any airline.
Dinner
The flight was a late one for us, so we made sure to eat in the lounge at Dulles before our flight. Good thing since dinner was a little weak!
Breakfast
Well, apparently I was sleeping so soundly, the flight attendant tried to wake me twice for breakfast and I wouldn’t wake up! I guess I really needed the sleep, huh? Honestly I don’t think I missed much. The sleep was definitely the better option!
The Service
The flight attendants were quite kind and attentive without hovering. I do appreciate kind service, and you don’t always find that on every airline!
Read on: Hidden Benefits of Business Class
Overall, I would say that United’s Polaris Business Class is objectively better than TAP Air Portugal, but I would fly with TAP again. What do you think?
Need to know more about airlines, airline food, the Star Alliance, flight routes, airports, and my tried-and-true flying tips? Check out my Air Travel Page!
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Great job Whitney! This blog was very helpful. My husband and I and our two friends are flying TAP in September on our way to Barcelona to take a Western Meditteranian cruise.
I’m so glad this was helpful, and I hope you have so much fun on your cruise!