We are flying from NYC - Venice on Austrian Airlines(Business class-767) and Rome - NYC on TAP airlines(Business Class-A319)

Does anyone have info on these airlines? Is business class worth it on these carriers?

Thanks in advance.
Mike

I can't speak to TAP, but i had a good set of flights on OS last summer JFK-VIE-AMS. The seats were newly installed with all the mod cons, comfortable, with almost too much legroom. I don't recall trying the video, but I believe there was a fine selection of choices.

You have access to the LH lounge at JFK pre-boarding and we were well informed of a short delay. Boarding was the main hiccup as on arriving at the gate there was a stampede in progress as the gate agents tried to pre-board small children etc. Several of us managed to make ourselves know and to be brought through, but it would have been uncomfortable if you mind pushing your way through a crowd. I would recommend staying in the club a little longer or preparing to wait at the gate for longer than you would expect.

Onboard and inflight--the aircraft was clean and appeared to be well stocked. FAs were earnest and attentive to their duty--maybe not warm, but good at what their were doing. The setup in the cabin I was in was 2-2-2, but of course you should confirm this.

The highlight of this longhaul OS flights was the food. The chef dressed FA is amusing, but the food was really very nice. Served from a trolley by a pair of FAs there was a wide variety of items that were fresh and tasty--I was amazed! Served expertly and with a smile. The white wine I recall as being unremarkable but not offensive. It was an old-world experience and I loved it. I happily slept the rest of the way to Europe.

We ended up arriving a little late and I missed my connection -- on another OS flight to AMS. But when I had awoken somewhere over Germany I was informed that I would not make my connection and then I was being protected on the next flight out of VIE a few hours later. Those of us from business that had missed our connections were met on deplaning and escorted to our own little line at the in-transit ticketing/help area and then given meal vouchers and all the info we needed. The intra-Europe flight was uneventful I believe on a small airbus 3-3 with the middle seats left empty.

All in all, and based on ONE flight, unless you absolutely, positively, have to make your connection I would freely recommend OS business. It may not be SQ first, but its also not a 15 hour flight. Connecting through VIE does add a little travel time if you are heading to far-western Europe, but considering the delays/connection waits in LHR/CDG, it may still make sense. Further, I have found that this flight is available on miles much closer to flight date than most other star alliance transatlantic business class options.

Enjoy!

I flew TAP EWR-LIS last summer in C.

The EWR-LIS flight, on an A310, was fine. TAP has lie-flat seats, similar to the SQ SpaceBed (any similarity to SQ stops there however). The angle doesn't bother me and I find these very comfortable for sleeping. Service was perfunctory at best but all I wanted was to get a good nap on this short flight so I didn't care.

On the return LIS-EWR, however, I was upset to find myself on the only A310 in TAP's fleet not reconfigured with the lie-flat seats. This sad aircraft featured ancient seats with maybe 40 degree recline. Comparable to US domestic First - i.e., total crap. Service and food were terrible and I was of course wide awake to notice. IFE consisted of a drop down screen in the front of the cabin which primarily showed an endless loop of an ad touting TAP's new lie-flat seat! That was pretty funny...

Anyway, if you do go with TAP make sure you are on a reconfigured aircraft. They also run A340s between LIS and NYC and all those have the new seats.

I will say that the service on TAP on intra-Europe flights in C is quite decent; the seats of course are standard economy seats with a blocked middle seat as per usual intra-Europe C.

Flew C LHR-LIS in August on 340 with lay flat bed. The food was decent - a couple of items weren't to my test. Surprised to see a 340 on 2.5 hour flight. Return was a standard Airbus. Standard seats with the open middle seat. Menu was basic.

TAP serves great desserts and the Port is excellent.