Source: TAP

  • Orlando, Curitiba, and São Luís do Maranhão are the new destinations.

TAP Air Portugal announced at BTL the launch of a new direct route between Lisbon and Orlando, beginning on 29 October 2026. At the same event, CEO Luís Rodrigues presented a wide range of strategic initiatives for next year, reinforcing the airline’s international expansion, its growing strategic focus on Porto and Portuguese identity, and its ongoing commitment to enhancing the customer experience. In 2026, TAP will also celebrate 60 years of regular flights to Brazil, a historic milestone in its operation.

TAP NEW FEATURES FOR 2026

New route to Orlando

The new direct connection between Lisbon and Orlando will begin on 29 October 2026, with three flights per week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. With this operation, TAP strengthens its position in the North American market and expands its transatlantic bridge.

60 years of regular flights to Brazil and reinforced leadership

In 2026, TAP will celebrate 60 years of regular flights to Brazil, its largest international market and a historic connection that has shaped the airline’s identity.

To mark the date, TAP announces two new destinations in the country:

  • Lisbon – Curitiba, starting on 2 July 2026, with three weekly flights operated on Airbus A330 200 aircraft.
  • Lisbon – São Luís do Maranhão, starting on 26 October 2026, with two weekly flights on board Airbus A321LR aircraft.

The airline will also increase its operations in southern Brazil starting in the summer, with the introduction of a fourth weekly frequency on the routes between Lisbon and Porto Alegre and between Lisbon and Florianópolis.

In addition, TAP is strengthening its operations in the Americas with:

  • The Porto–Boston route is becoming an annual operation.
  • The resumption of the Lisbon–Caracas connection.

TAP with North: strategic plan dedicated to Porto

As part of the “TAP with the North” strategy, the airline is clearly reinforcing its presence in Porto with new routes between Porto and Terceira (1 July), Porto and Praia (2 July) and Porto and Tel Aviv (25 October), as well as strengthening its intercontinental operations, with Porto–Boston becoming an annual route.

TAP will also build a Maintenance Hub in Porto, a strategic investment of €20 million that will create around 200 highly skilled jobs.

This set of initiatives reinforces TAP’s contribution to the economic and tourist development of the North, expanding the region’s connectivity with the main international markets.

New European routes and reinforcement of the national network

In add ition to transatlantic growth, TAP is expanding its operations in Europe and Portugal:

  • Lisbon – Athens, starting on 1 July, with five weekly flights (Airbus A320neo in summer and Embraer E190 in winter).
  • Lisbon – Tel Aviv, starting on 29 March.

The new routes from Porto — Terceira, Praia and Tel Aviv — complement this strengthening of the offer.

The Funchal – Faro route will also operate in winter, with two weekly flights, and will no longer be seasonal.

New cabin: more space, privacy and comfort

In the summer of 2026, TAP will launch a new cabin between Business Class and Economy Class, available on Airbus A330 and A321LR aircraft. This new class will have 12 exclusive seats, offering passengers:

  • greater privacy
  • priority check-in, baggage, and boarding
  • fast track
  • premium meal with pre-selection
  • exclusive amenity kit and premium headphones
  • extra mileage accumulation
  • greater fare flexibility

This initiative reinforces TAP’s commitment to providing a more comfortable and personalised travel experience.

Stronger Portuguese identity on board

TAP presents a new wine list featuring exclusively Portuguese wines, with 55 selections chosen from almost 1,300 proposals and representing nine national wine regions. This list will be presented throughout 2026 in eight different categories.

Passengers will also have access to an interactive wine tourism map, available on the in-flight entertainment system and accessible via QR Code at no additional cost.

The Company also remains committed to promoting Portuguese cuisine and products, continuing to renew the meals it serves on board its aircraft with menus developed by some of the most prestigious and talented Portuguese chefs.

Portuguese cuisine was represented at the BTL event by Chef Ricardo Luz, from the Algarve, who will be responsible for the meals to be served from April to July 2026, and by Chef António Galapito, from Lisbon, whose menus will be served on board from December 2026 to March 2027. This star-studded line-up will be completed throughout 2026 by Chef Rita Magro, from Porto, who will be in the air between August and November.

Strategic partnerships

TAP reinforces its commitment to national sport through two new partnerships:

  • Official Airline of Team Portugal, accompanying the Olympic cycle until Los Angeles 2028.
  • Official Airline of the National Football Team, supporting the 2026 and 2030 World Cup cycles.

Altitude Film Fest: third edition in 2026

In 2026, TAP will organise the third edition of Altitude Film Fest, its short film festival that celebrates national talent and reinforces the airline’s mission to bring Portuguese culture to the world. The initiative highlights films focused on Portuguese culture, stories and creativity.

2026 is a year of ambition and expansion

With this set of initiatives, TAP enters 2026 with a strategy focused on sustainable expansion, promoting Portuguese offerings, strengthening its historic connection to Brazil and continuously improving the customer experience — consolidating its role as Portugal’s gateway to the world.