gojko88

And both my EWR segments in February got downgraded from 330neo to 321LR

warakorn

As the Schengen travel ban most likely will be reimposed within the next weeks, you wouldn't be able to take tis flight anyway - unless you have an US passport.

gojko88

That's speculative at best, and very far from "most likely".

mmff

It seems that TP flies only the A339 to JFK. If aircraft type is a priority out of NYC, maybe JFK is your best bet?

gojko88

A useful tip, but I'm connecting from to/from domestic UA flights, so EWR is more convenient, and I guess the "throne" seats in the A321LR aren't too bad. I'm just sad because I chose an earlier (afternoon) departure out of EWR specifically to try out the A330, whereas I could've gone for the evening one. Called TP to see if they'd rebook free of charge, but no chance.

sfvoyage

Is this still current and correct?

Also, any recent experience on the seats, service, F&B, etc.? The same 2nd rate experience as always?

corporate-wage-slave

"Second rate" is going to be a value judgement. I would suggest the great majority of people who select these seats have an enjoyable trip, without being bumped and without really noticing noise from the galley area, which is some way forward, particularly once they've plugged themselves into the IFE system. Other travellers may really notice the noise, depends on your mindset really. I don't think these are bad seats.

sfvoyage

I should clarify that my "second rate" remark wasn't particular to seats 1EF, but the overall J experience, which I had experienced a few years ago. The F&B was average, service was average, seat comfort was average: everything paled in comparison to the top tier European airlines (and, of course, Asian airlines). However, I didn't mind too much because TP was priced lower than the other European airlines for my itinerary. TP doesn't aspire to be top tier, which is reflected by their occasional promotional pricing, when you can find seats on your desired itinerary on your desired dates.

corporate-wage-slave

I would certainly go along with that. It has a number of unique selling points, the biggest of which is that it can be very cost effective, particularly if you are making a direct comparison with a fare on Iberia, Air France, Lufthansa, BA and so on. Secondly the fleet is almost completely new. Thirdly it has some very interesting routes combinations, and routes which no one else serves. But the downsides incliude some poor customer experiences compared to other airlines (website and when things go wrong). LIS isn't always a good connection experience, there again FRA, AMS, LHR also have problems at the moment. I'm not sure I would agree on the F&B side, particularly at the moment, since some of the other major transatlantic airlines aren't doing that well in this area at the moment. It is very Portuguese in tenor and I guess that's a personal choice as to whether that works for any particular traveller.

sfvoyage

I haven't flown TP post-Covid but have bookings in November. Pre-Covid, I remember being surprised at their all-Portuguese wine list. I don't drink that much (especially not while flying) and am not necessarily a big oenopile, and I do like some Portuguese wines. However, I thought it odd that they don't offer a real French champagne - the first time I've encountered that in a J cabin. All other airlines have always featured a french champagne in J, and TP's espumante served on my flights was unfortunately rather forgettable.

One thing that draws me to TP, besides the promotional sales, is the opportunity for a free stopover in LIS, as I like to visit Portugal whenever possible. On this note, while their free stopover program lists LIS or OPO, I have never been able to stop in OPO and don't believe that is even an option for TATL flights, as TP doesn't serve North America from OPO. Is there any exceptional routing where I can get a stopover at OPO between SFO and a European city (not Portuguese)?

corporate-wage-slave

Yes, there is a twice weekly Sunday and Wednesday service between Newark and OPO, it is currently booked to run to the end of October, and because of all that has happened in the last few years I'm not sure what happens in the winter (probably TAP isn't sure either). There are also some connections you can wangle via PDL - worth a visit in its own right via the codeshares with Azores airline SATA - TAP run plenty of services between PDL and OPO.

desafino

OPO is a great place to clear passport control.

Also, the 330neos are incredibly quiet.