tff

TAP has decided to roll out a new sub-class in economy in medium-haul flights: EconomyXtra.
https://www.flytap.com/en-pt/tap-exp...ing-in-economy

Summarising what's new: whoever sits in the red chairs will have improved main hot meals in non-domestic flights over 1h45 in A32X aircraft and whoever sits in the green chairs will have only the option of a sweet or a savoury snack (ie, a pastel de nata or chips). Beverages will remain complimentary for all pax.

GBM.flights

Does this mean on a TP Basic/Discount ticket , we can no longer pick a red seat during online check-in?

nldogbert

I have a flight later in December with TAP, 2 pax, 1 in Basic and 1 in Discount - tried to check if I can upgrade to this new set of class since it was mentioned that it can be done also via Manage my Booking, but did not see this option - was only offered to upclass to Executive. Not sure if it is due to their IT not yet catching up to this in MMB. I would not mind buying the upfare if it is the price is reasonable, but at least for now does not seem to be an option.

Cheers!

tff

As far as I can tell, yes, that's what it means. But we'll see on October 27 if that is actually the case or if the -3T seat swap still works.

I'd suggest trying to select a red seat and paying for it. The price varies between €20 and €30 per leg per person.

Palal

Wow, nickel and diming even more! Knowing how often they swap planes - good luck getting a seat you want and having it stick.

GBM.flights

Some recent experience. Flew today GVA-OPO (red seat), service was a box (same as they use to serve but branded X-tra.Will post tomorrow a couple of pictures. So no hot meal for the red seats.
Managed to swap to a red seat at T-2 (below more details).
Not complaining as the flight was 10 minutes early and my checked luggage was the first out (priority tag worked well).


I managed to pick the red seats at T-2. Until then it was paid (tried a couple of times between T-3 and T-2).

tff

Hot meals are served at meal times. Here's a list of the meals served in the red chairs:


Here's what is served in the green chairs:



Level 1: OPO, FAO
Level 2: Spain, Madeira, Azores, North Africa
Level 3A: Belgium, France, MAN, Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, Holland, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria
Level 3B: LHR and LGW
Level 4: Poland, Scandinavia, Cape Verde, OXB, DSS, CKY, BJL

Box 1: Yoghurt + pastry + butter + fresh fruit
Box 2: Sandwich with ham and cheese + chocolate salami
Box 3: Wrap + cheese + crackers

Boxes 2 and 3 are identical to the ones being served before the service change. Here's a sample of the new Box 1:


And here's a sample of the new hot meal:


It's watery, tasteless and overcooked. In the flights I've taken, I've asked the crew for a box instead of the hot meal.

GBM.flights

Thanks tff I to missed the meal time part.
My flight was at 4pm, so it seems right I got the box
here it is and respective content (sandwich, crackers and cheese). And a very well designed cup.

quick one on your post LGW and LHR should be 3B, right? No hotel meals?

tff

Yes, thanks for noting - already corrected

I have no idea why, but there might be an issue with the catering providers in London.

the810

I did a bit of a research into economyXtra on TAP and so far, every single review mentioned the pasta being served, so I just wonder... did anyone get anything else? I'm doing VIE to LIS in couple of days and it would be very helpful to know what to expect Thanks!

nldogbert

Hi,

My experience with this "new" Xtra class leaves me with actually much confusion - mainly on the if you will get a different meal compared to Economy, but from my experience from BRU-OPO 2 weeks ago, I believe that the differentiation in meal is minor. The only major advantage is the additional leg room.
One big faux pas (which is the same faux pas as Aegean) is that I cannot understand why they don't assign these seats to at least Star Alliance Gold pax when online check-in opens 24 hours before the flight, instead they start filling it up from what I understood from the check-in agent automatically.
As indicated in another thread, it is only 2 hours from departure time can one change the seat online for free.

Back to the meal - as someone who is not very picky about onboard meals/snacks - the one I received on the BRU-OPO route was the small sandwich with cheese and ham, but gosh, the bread was so dry that I did not touch any of it (just peeled off the cheese and ham to eat) - same photo as post #8 .

My conclusion of this new sub economy class is that it's not really worth the extra $ if you're going to pay for it unless the leg room is really needed.

Cheers!

ffay005

I just booked LIS-OXB-LIS today. A four-hour flight. I paid the cheapest price possible, and this thread is very helpful since I now know what to expect as my "meal" on board.

The green and red chairs are both in a 3-3 configuration. Are the seats identical? Is there a difference in legroom? Will it be possible to change seats on board if the plane is not full? I would assume it's okay within the green zone, and not okay to move into a red seat?

tff

The seats are different: the green chairs don't recline, have 28" pitch, no adjustable headrest, no tablet support, and no USD port or power plug, whereas the red chairs do recline, have a 33" pitch, adjustable headrests, tablet support, and USB ports and power plugs.

That's exactly it.

Not only the legroom - see above.

ffay005

Thanks Tff! Oh my. I have some regrets now. 28" sounds horrible.

I'll have to hope that the Bissau route isn't one of the most popular in the TP network. Maybe there are lots of empty seats...

Palal

In my limited experience, flights to OXB can be full, depending on the season.
You'll get a better meal than a regular sandwich though.