TAP or KLM for NYC to OPO?
 

I'm going from NYC to Porto for a week in July. I can either fly TAP Executive Class from Newark to Porto or KLM Business Class there and Premium Comfort on the way back. TAP is a direct flight and has better flight times, but getting to Newark and back is a real pain compared to getting to JFK for KLM. KLM would transfer through Amsterdam has less good flight times, but might be a better flight experience and all my miles are on SkyTeam . . . What would you do?

I've only heard bad things about TAP, and if you are more loyal to Skyteam you may as well go with KLM - if the prices of both options are comparable.

If the TAP flight is significantly cheaper... how much is a taxi to EWR?

I flew TAP from LIS to Brazil and back on four occasions, alwys in C. I had a positive experience throughout, both on the plane and connecting: onece, my flight from somewhere in Europe was very late; I was amazed to see that not only did they wait for me but they drove me first to an office to stamp my passport and then to the plane to board! Mind you, that was about 20 years ago, so they may have changed their MO...

I’ve only flown TAP on one trip in Business and it was in the before times and I thought the inflight service etc was more than fine.

The vast majority of people having issues with TAP are when trying to get refunds or compensation rather than with the onboard service.

how much of a pain is it getting to EWR over a change in AMS and with less good flight time?

I’d look at both the TAP and KLM boards for any recent inflight experience threads / comments.

but if you are wedded to using mikes then you really only have once choice.

Your first consideration should normally be price and if these miles will help you maintain status, as well as flight duration and times. I fly TAP regularly in J because it has the cheapest J fares and also helps me qualify for *A Gold. TAP has a very bad reputation for refunds (takes up to 2 years), so only book if quite certain you will fly it. KLM probably has slightly better J experience and perhaps slightly more reliable as an airline overall.

In your case, because of the direct flights, and both legs in J, and if same price I will go hands down with TAP. But if KLM is at least $300 cheaper and you need the ST miles, then go with KLM. Transit in AMS also has some risk.

SkyTeam members Air Europa and Air France also serve OPO, via connections through MAD and CDG, respectively.. And one can fly JFK-LIS-OPO on TAP, too.

From where are you starting that getting to EWR is much more difficult than getting to JFK?

Connecting in Amsterdam can be a pain though as well (particularly if you can't use the e-gates (or the e-gates don't work).