Flying out of the US gives you some passenger rights with the DOT.

Portuguese airlines and portuguese government could not care less about passengers. Azores had their Q400 flown to the continent as the regulator was unable to dispatch an employee to the islands for inspection. The newest A320N had to be parked for weeks for the same incompetence and Azores had to wetlease a White A320.

I am flying with that airline if it is absolutely the cheapest. Bear in mind the business class is comparable to a premium economy so I would not pay more than $1.3k return. TP often has real business class tickets starting at €1k return or Norse for €300 oneway in Premium.

The Azores are beautiful however so worthwhile the adventure of dealing with a portuguese state owned airline.