I am not sure why this is relevant answer to the question as to why people fly with TAP...there can be many reasons for e.g direct flight between A-B..suitable timings, *A benefits etc. etc.

Irrespective of the european carrier you fly..whether be it lufthansa, ryanair or TAP..all the airlines have to follow european law. The EU 261/2004 regulation applies whether you paid 1eur in Y or 5000EUR in F..whether it's Ryanair or Lufthansa. (So what you pay is what you get is irrelevant either).

I am looking for options from people who have suggestions for the problem of pending payment..since airline already acknowledged the payment ubder eu264 clause. Not many do including some of the top rates carriers.