GUIDE: TAP Air Portugal Airbus A330-900neo
#61
Join Date: Aug 2011
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#62
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And both my EWR segments in February got downgraded from 330neo to 321LR
#65
Join Date: Aug 2011
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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.
#66
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,347
Also, any recent experience on the seats, service, F&B, etc.? The same 2nd rate experience as always?
#67
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"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.
#68
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,347
"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.
#69
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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.
#70
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,347
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.
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)?
#71
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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)?
#74
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I don't think there's a huge difference, but it's a night flight so the middle area (row 5) would be quieter. Embarkation and disembarkation would usually be door 2L, which is behind the Executive cabin. If OPO needs to disembark by bus (the non Schengen area is quite small) then it may end up being door 1L, but it's unlknowable how this will end up.
#75
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Which would you choose - 10AC (bulkhead in Comfort) for 95 EUR or a typical comfort window/aisle for 60 EUR? I am 6'4", so leg room is key for me, but I'm concerned that row 10 is right up against the lav. Anybody know if that lav is for business only (I think?) and if there's a separator so perhaps the line/galley isn't bothersome to those in row 10? I could also choose a "normal" (not comfort) seat with standard pitch for 40 EUR. It's an overnight flight, so would like to sleep as much as possible.
On the return, nothing available in bulkhead comfort, but 27HK (exit row in "standard" portion of plan) is available for an even more expensive 100 EUR/seat. Lavs are in front of that too, but perhaps more separated given huge emergency exits right there, but maybe even more annoying because I assume people congregate there for TATL flights. This is a late day flight (departs 5pm).
Maybe I'll keep it simple and just do the typical comfort seats both ways for 60 EUR to avoid being close to galley/lav. The extra 3 inches of legroom is pretty key for me for a 9 hour flight, even though I think that cost is kinda absurd and having more than 3" extra is even better usually...hmmmm.
Edit: After watching the below video, seems like row 27 would be annoying with a ton of people gathered in that area with the lavs and no separation whereas row 10 might be okay as I actually see a curtain potentially between the lav and seats (presumably those lavs are for business class only?). Although you'd still hear the flushing from the lav constantly perhaps since it's close.
On the return, nothing available in bulkhead comfort, but 27HK (exit row in "standard" portion of plan) is available for an even more expensive 100 EUR/seat. Lavs are in front of that too, but perhaps more separated given huge emergency exits right there, but maybe even more annoying because I assume people congregate there for TATL flights. This is a late day flight (departs 5pm).
Maybe I'll keep it simple and just do the typical comfort seats both ways for 60 EUR to avoid being close to galley/lav. The extra 3 inches of legroom is pretty key for me for a 9 hour flight, even though I think that cost is kinda absurd and having more than 3" extra is even better usually...hmmmm.
Edit: After watching the below video, seems like row 27 would be annoying with a ton of people gathered in that area with the lavs and no separation whereas row 10 might be okay as I actually see a curtain potentially between the lav and seats (presumably those lavs are for business class only?). Although you'd still hear the flushing from the lav constantly perhaps since it's close.
Last edited by bluedog423; May 25, 2023 at 10:50 am