Premium flights, passenger rights: Your TAP Air Portugal experience
Even established, full-service airlines like TAP Air Portugal (founded in 1945, headquartered in Lisboa, Portugal) experience operational issues. When you book a flight with a premium carrier, you expect reliability.
If your TAP Air Portugal flight has been disrupted, you are covered by the European EC 261 Regulation. You could be owed up to €600 per passenger. We help you enforce your rights against major airlines without the stress of dealing with their complex legal departments.
If your TAP Air Portugal flight has been disrupted, you are covered by the European EC 261 Regulation. You could be owed up to €600 per passenger. We help you enforce your rights against major airlines without the stress of dealing with their complex legal departments.
TAP Air Portugal Operational Performance
Based on our latest data, out of 1800 recent departures:
- 78% of TAP Air Portugal flights departed on time.
- 5.2% were cancelled.
- 16.8% suffered significant delays.
Your passenger rights with TAP Air Portugal
Under EU and UK law (EC 261), TAP Air Portugal's passengers are entitled to financial compensation in specific scenarios:
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Delayed Flights
If you arrived at your final destination over 3 hours late, you could claim from TAP Air Portugal.
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Cancelled Flights
TAP Air Portugal must compensate you if they cancelled your flight less than 14 days before departure.
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Denied Boarding
If TAP Air Portugal overbooked the flight and denied you boarding against your will, you have full rights to compensation.
How much TAP Air Portugal compensation can you get?
As a legacy carrier, TAP Air Portugal operates many long-haul flights where the maximum €600 compensation applies. The payment tiers are:
- euro_symbol€250: For short flights up to 1,500km.
- euro_symbol€400: For EU flights over 1,500km, and non-EU flights between 1,500km and 3,500km.
- euro_symbol€600: For long-haul TAP Air Portugal flights over 3,500km.
Lost baggage with TAP Air Portugal
If TAP Air Portugal loses or damages your luggage, you must fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before leaving the airport. You could be entitled to compensation under the Montreal Convention.
How to handle a TAP Air Portugal disruption
Follow these steps if your TAP Air Portugal flight is interrupted:
- 1 Keep your documents: Save your TAP Air Portugal booking reference and boarding pass.
- 2 Ask for the reason: Ask TAP Air Portugal staff at the gate exactly why the flight is delayed or cancelled.
- 3 Request care: Ask TAP Air Portugal for food and drink vouchers during long waits.
- 4 Don't sign waivers: Be careful not to sign away your rights in exchange for TAP Air Portugal air miles or vouchers.
- 5 Keep expense receipts: Keep receipts for any extra expenses incurred.
When TAP Air Portugal cancels your flight
If TAP Air Portugal cancels your flight abruptly, you have the right to either a full refund or an alternative flight to your destination. In addition, if you were informed less than 14 days prior, you can claim up to €600 in cash compensation.
Severe delays with TAP Air Portugal
For flights delayed by more than 3 hours at arrival, TAP Air Portugal is required by European law to pay compensation. The amount depends strictly on the flight distance, not the ticket price.
Bumpped from a TAP Air Portugal flight?
Overbooking is a known practice. If TAP Air Portugal denies you boarding due to overcapacity, you are entitled to the same high levels of compensation as if the flight had been cancelled.
When TAP Air Portugal doesn't have to pay
Compensation is not applicable in 'extraordinary circumstances' – events outside of TAP Air Portugal's control. Examples include severe adverse weather conditions, air traffic control restrictions, or medical emergencies. TAP Air Portugal must prove these circumstances to deny your claim.
Can you claim for TAP Air Portugal staff strikes?
Yes. If the strike involves TAP Air Portugal's own employees, such as their pilots or cabin crew, it is considered within their control, and you are eligible for compensation.
Time limits for claiming against TAP Air Portugal
Depending on the jurisdiction, you usually have between 3 to 6 years to submit your claim against TAP Air Portugal for a past flight disruption.
Let us deal with TAP Air Portugal
Don't get bogged down in TAP Air Portugal's customer service queues. We operate on a 'No Win, No Fee' basis, meaning we take all the financial risk.