Very long line at the gate, moved slowly. I had expected that boarding a flagship A330neo would be with a jetway directly at the gate, and not a long bus ride to the airplane.
I am not very tall, and had a difficult time getting my carry-on placed in the overhead bin while passengers were behind me waiting to get to their seats. After struggling with the luggage, I turned it around, and left it, knowing it was not properly placed, but believing there was adequate room for it in the bin. When the flight attendant came through the cabin, she asked whose bag it was, and scolded me for not positioning it correctly. She turned it around and moved on. I thought that her approach was totally unprofessional, calling out a passenger in that manner.
TAP‘s flight attendants seem to be among the least ambitious of all the international flight crews we’ve flown with. . When we left US and went to Portugal, and when we returned from Portugal, flight attendants were not very visible. Then did not offer frequent water breaks and when we had to go back to request water, I was almost an imposition. Meal quality was just average. The dinners were fine. Breakfast wraps were presented soggy.
Plane was delayed, reading the gates on their screens was horrible. They posted it a half an hour before the plane boarded. By the time I got there with my premier boarding they have filled the plane because it was over booked. Gate closed at 12:03 I was there at 11:54 plane took over around 12:20. I was told they would put me on the next flight. I had to go to TAP information desk. They didn’t give me a voucher they just said they would put me on the next flight. At the desk I was told I had to punches a ticket. The woman said buy it online because it’s cheaper. It in fact was not cheaper. But I had gotten out of the long line that formed so I paid 200$ for a new ticket. At a later flight, not the next flight. I had checked my bag and was told it would be on my new flight. I was then bumped to an earlier flight and was told my bag would also be on my flight. After landing in Madrid loosing a day in my hotel i landed without my bag. They didn’t load it on any flight that day. It arrived in madrid the next day. Essentially ruining the first two days of my vacation. I’m now seeking compensation.
Did not enjoy the meal provided. The aircraft was dirty. For instance, the screen seemed to have been cleaned with a dirty rag. Disgusting.
The business class seats were smaller and closer together than other airlines.
Didn't like much. Wheelchair assistance was almost nonexistent. No one at TAP check in process helpful. On the plane, stewards were not friendly and disorganized. Food was terrible for 8 hr flight. We were skipped at snack time and even though we tried to get attention using overhead call system no one even looked up at us to acknowledge. Being at the back of first section and by the lavatory we only were able to request when they came to pick up everyone else's garbage and they were nonchalant...no apology or even choice. The 1/2 half bread with slice of cheese was a waste. Deplaning was horrible but I'll blame lisbon airport for that. Plane left late at made good time still arrived about 15 behind schedule and for using remote deplaning and bus to terminal took another 20 min to gate. Those with connections were highly stressed. Took us 2 hrs from landing to get to ground transportation and exit airport. And that was with wheelchair assistance.
Bad boarding, threat to force bag check mid journey, lines, late, buses, more waiting awful end to end.
The person at the checkin was very helpful. We couldn’t check in through the keyosk, but the agent was very helpful.
An old airplane with very uncomfortable seats in the Comfort “class! Small, narrow, and hard seat. Entertainment options are inferior, old movies. Boarding started at the back of the airplane, as we entered the aircraft last instead of after business class, risking the possibility that the comfort section would not have room for carry-on in the overhead bin. The food was ok. White wine was terrible. Overall, the flight felt worse than cheap airliners, and the price was as high as premium carriers.
