A trip to Portugal was supposed to be a dream vacation for two friends, but their experience with TAP Air Portugal turned into a nightmare. Despite booking well in advance, they faced multiple flight changes, cancellations, and overbooking issues.
The couple first encountered problems when their return flight from Lisbon to New York City was delayed by 24 hours due to no explanation from the airline. They were then forced to accept a new flight with an extra day’s stay, which cost them around $200 in hotel expenses alone.
Things only got worse as they arrived at Madeira airport for their second leg of the journey, only to find that their flight was overbooked and they didn’t have assigned seats. Despite receiving vouchers and meal vouchers, their experience continued to deteriorate with another flight cancellation on their return to Lisbon.
The couple soon discovered that TAP Air Portugal’s website and customer service were unhelpful, making it impossible for them to request a refund despite being eligible under the airline’s terms and conditions. They eventually gave up trying to get a refund through the airline and are now waiting for a credit-card chargeback.
In the end, the friends ended up paying nearly $400 extra due to flight changes and cancellations. They have vowed to book with airlines they’ve had better experiences with in the future, such as Delta or United, and may stick to budget-friendly options like Ryanair for shorter flights.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/tap-air-portugal-review-red-flags-flight-airline-2025-4