TAP Air Portugal
EU CarrierTP / TAP · PT
About TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is the flag carrier of Portugal, operating from its hub at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) with a secondary base at Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). The airline serves more than 90 destinations across Europe, Africa, North America, and South America - with a particularly strong network to Brazil and former Portuguese-speaking territories. TAP is a member of the Star Alliance and carries approximately 16 million passengers per year.
EC261 Legal Status - TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is an EU-registered carrier based in Portugal. EC Regulation 261/2004 applies to all TAP-operated flights departing from any airport worldwide, and to all flights arriving into the EU operated by TAP. Under Portuguese law, the limitation period is 3 years. The responsible National Enforcement Body is ANAC (Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil).
€250 - €600
Compensation is fixed by flight distance. TAP's transatlantic network to Brazil and North America means many claims qualify for €600.
- LIS → OPO Porto (274 km): €250
- LIS → CDG Paris (1,454 km): €250
- LIS → LHR London (1,585 km): €400
- LIS → GIG Rio de Janeiro (7,715 km): €600
The fleet features a modern mix of Airbus A320neo family aircraft for European routes, Airbus A330neo for medium and long-haul services, and Airbus A321LR aircraft that enable efficient transatlantic operations from secondary European airports. TAP has invested significantly in fleet renewal, making it one of the most modern fleets in Europe by average aircraft age.
TAP has a slow claims processing reputation, with passengers routinely waiting 60 days or more for a response. The airline went through a difficult financial period and state rescue during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected its customer service capacity. Lisbon Airport also faces growing congestion as Portugal's popularity as a destination has surged, contributing to ground delays and slot restrictions.
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes can help you assess whether your delay was within the airline's control.
Common Causes
Why TAP Flights Get Disrupted
- Crew scheduling issues and staffing shortages following the airline's post-pandemic restructuring
- Growing congestion at Lisbon Airport, which is nearing capacity limits as Portugal tourism booms
- Technical faults, including issues related to the Pratt & Whitney engines on the A320neo fleet
- Ground handling delays at Lisbon and Porto during peak summer and holiday periods
- ATC restrictions over Portuguese and southern European airspace
How to Claim Directly from TAP Air Portugal
TAP handles EC261 claims through its online requests and complaints form. Before submitting, gather your booking reference, boarding pass, and any communications from TAP about the disruption - including emails, SMS notifications, or messages through the TAP app. For long-haul flights, evidence of the actual arrival time is particularly important.
DIY Process
How to Claim Directly from TAP Air Portugal
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1
Gather your booking reference, boarding pass, and evidence of the delay or cancellation
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2
Submit your claim via the TAP help section at flytap.com/en-pt/help/requests-complaints
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3
Wait at least 60 days for TAP to respond - the airline is one of the slowest in Europe for claims processing
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4
If rejected, review the stated reason - crew shortages and technical issues are not extraordinary circumstances
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5
Escalate to ANAC (Portugal) if TAP does not respond or rejects without valid grounds
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6
Consider Portuguese courts or the courts in your departure country as further escalation options
Submit your claim through the TAP help section on flytap.com. The form requires your flight details, passenger information, and a description of the disruption. TAP is notoriously slow to respond - expect a processing time of at least 60 days, and some passengers report waiting 90 days or longer. Do not interpret silence as a rejection; TAP does eventually process most claims but at a pace well below the European average.
TAP Air Portugal flight disrupted?
Check your eligibility and claim up to €600 in compensation.
Passenger
J. SMITH
Flight
BA 2761
LHR
London
BCN
Barcelona
STATUS
3H DELAYPassenger
M. JOHNSON
Flight
KL 1009
AMS
Amsterdam
FCO
Rome
STATUS
CANCELLEDIf TAP does not respond within a reasonable timeframe (allow at least 60 days) or rejects your claim, escalate to ANAC (Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil), Portugal's civil aviation authority. ANAC accepts complaints online and investigates EC261 disputes. The Portuguese limitation period is 3 years. Portuguese courts can also handle EC261 claims, though the process can be slow. If you are based in another EU country, you may have the option of filing in your home jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation.
Why does TAP take so long to process claims?
TAP's slow claims processing reflects a combination of factors: the airline's post-pandemic financial restructuring reduced customer service capacity, and increasing passenger volumes at Lisbon have generated more claims. A response time of 60+ days is typical. If TAP has not responded after 60 days, it is reasonable to send a follow-up. After 90 days without a response, escalate to ANAC without further waiting.
Does EC261 apply to TAP flights to Brazil?
Yes. TAP is an EU carrier, so EC261 applies to all TAP-operated flights regardless of destination - including flights to Brazil, the United States, Canada, and Africa. For flights from Brazil to Lisbon, EC261 also applies because TAP is the operating EU carrier. The distance from Lisbon to most Brazilian cities exceeds 3,500 km, qualifying for the maximum €600 compensation per passenger.
TAP offered me a travel voucher - should I accept it?
Under EC261, you are entitled to monetary compensation. TAP may offer travel vouchers or TAP Miles&Go credits as an alternative, but you are under no obligation to accept. If TAP only offers a voucher, decline in writing and request cash payment. Accepting a voucher may waive your right to monetary compensation, so read any terms carefully before agreeing.
Contact for Claims
Online Claim Form
www.flytap.comANAC - National Civil Aviation Authority
Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil (ANAC)
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Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.