THE FLIGHT:TP353 from Heathrow’s Terminal 1 to Lisbon operated by one of TAP’s 17 162-seat Airbus A320-200s in a 3-3 configuration. Scheduled departure time was 08.15 on July 12, 2010.
THE Check-in: In a separate Zone K area shared by Lufthansa, LOT and TAP. My wait was under five minutes for a speedy and efficient check-in but with no security questions asked. The security check itself was exceptionally fast – the more so given the time of day. In fact the whole of Terminal 1 seemed particularly uncrowded for a Monday rush hour. Even checking in at 07.00 there was ample time to buy a newspaper and enjoy a coffee.
The Boarding Process: Departure was from a remote Gate 74 where there was a short wait before boarding. Crew were welcoming on a busy but not full flight that meant, for me, an empty middle seat. The flight was ready for departure a little before 08.15 but air traffic control ordered a frustrating wait of up to 35 minutes with eventual departure 50 minutes late at 09.05.
The seat: Economy aisle seat 27D that was comfortable enough with a reasonable recline for a short haul journey.
THE SERVICE: A light breakfast snack – cheese croissant, yoghurt, and fruit juice was served together with a choice of tea or coffee. Entertainment was confined to a chunky Portuguese/English inflight magazine and the ubiquitous shopping magazine. After the food/drink service a duty-free trolley was wheeled down the aisle. Small drop down TV sets were silently showing ‘highlights’ from Cruft’s Dog Show.
THE ARRIVAL: Quite a bit of time was made up which meant an arrival time just 15 minutes late at 11.10 (Portugal and the UK are on the same time). The aircraft was parked at a fairly remote location, which meant a coach ride to the terminal where immigration was almost instant before the inevitable baggage wait.
The verdict: TAP Air Portugal has been operating between the UK and Portugal for decades and offers an efficient, professional and friendly service between the countries’ two capitals
The details: Portugal’s national carrier operates six non-stop flights a day between Heathrow and Lisbon with a seventh from Gatwick. Current (late July 2010) fares range from around £186 return including all taxes. TAP Air Portugal also operates two services a day between Gatwick and Porto. www.flytap.com
Alan Orbell
