AVOID: Europe's Worst Business Class Experience
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- Опубликовано: 17 июн 2024
- Welcome to Europe's worst business class. Follow me as we take TAP Portugal (operated by Portugalia) on an Embraer 190 between Lisbon and Madrid and find out why I think it's so bad...enjoy!
0:00 Introduction
1:28 TAP overview and the airport
2:47 TAP business class lounge
4:30 Gate and boarding experience!
6:28 Onboard TAP E90
7:11 Taxi and takeoff
8:49 Tray table woes and other moans
9:22 Poor food
10:29 Landing, and conclusions (enjoy the air fare anomaly!)
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Date of Travel: 13 SEP 2021
Airline: Portugalia (for TAP Portugal)
Livery: Standard TAP Express livery
Route: LIS-MAD
Aircraft: Embraer 190
Flight Number: TP 1014
Miles: 318
Airborne time: 0h57m
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Half the reason why I watch these is because I like listening to that soothing voice, and flying and travelling is cool
Having just flown my fourth TAP business class flight in 2 weeks, I am glad i never encountered one of these planes. I love all my trips with them in their 321lr and 319. One of the few euro business configs that leaves 6'3" me with enough leg room.
Another great video. Thanks for presenting a balanced but honest take as always! Look forward to your upcoming long-haul flight reviews!
I found it to be whiny garbage.
It always amazing me that the same product on the same airline to yield such different experiences. I have had the misfortune to be caught out a couple of times. Hey ho, that's life. Thanks for sharing, Mr. Lucas.
The only positive thing about this flight is your video Paul! 😆
I flew TAP premium economy heathrow via Lisbon to Miami 18 months ago. The main issue I had was the the 2 hour layover in Lisbon airport in the early hours with nothing open. Looked like some nice coffee shops dotted around but all closed!
The best part of the meal service on TAP is the Portuguese Custard Tarts!
Just had one! Lidl sell them.
Yes and there is a good cafe to be fair in LIS airport that also sells them!
Lidl ?? Yhea those are for connosseurs only . Kkkkkkk
@@luistadeudecastrobarbosaem7708 Baked in store and as good as the real thing.
Sad when you pay all that money for PE and the most outstanding thing that remains in your memory is getting a £1 Portuguese custard tart that you could have picked up in a bakery and saved the money 👍👍
Great to see you roughing it for a change and makes for interesting content! Only so many flying in the lap of luxury vlogs I can watch!
Excellent video as usual Paul. Love your work. Richard from Cambridgeshire 👍
"Get you a man who can do both" 😂
Excellent video Paul!
Informative and polished video, very nice.
“A very weak lounge from TAPs home hub” has very serious competition from United’s dry, warm, food service prepared, plastic wrapped hummus sandwiches in Houston’s Business Class lounge. It’s amazing what international carriers can get away with under the guise COVID meal and alcohol restrictions, in an effort to maximize profits while gladly accepting taxpayer funded bailouts.
If they are gerting taxpayer money, then the absolutely should ve maximizing profits so that they pay it back quickly
Thanks for the info I learn so much can't wait to travel again
Love your videos man. The way you were struggling while eating reminds me of my struggles 😂.
Paul great vlog as always
and be careful: TAP is notorious for downgauging the A321neo (with the longhaul biz product) on shorthaul routes at short notice
As i found out 😃
That depends if its an LR or a normal A321neo. The LR’s have the long haul product, but the normal A321neo’s have the bog-standard typical European business class with blocked middle seats.
TAP operate the 321neo to London for example, but often downgrade it on the day of travel.
@@Paul_Lucas Typical TAP indeed. During my time spotting it was rare to see a LR go to a European destination. Its just pure luck sadly.
@@Paul_Lucas but tap TAP normal a321neo has the same seats in economy abd in business. Only A321neoLR, used in transatlantic routes, has real business seats
“My sandwich is far away from me on a flight that’s less than an hour long”
But yeah, compared to what others offer, TAP is… lacking, to say the least.
Great video! Thanks for the info. There is something about boarding a little tiny jets that you have to walk up to outside albeit from a bus, that sets my spider senses off. That Embraer 190 Business Class Jets interior looked very cramped. There is no room what-so ever for passenger comfort. That egg sandwich looked scary. l feel your pain. I would be looking at my watch every five minutes lol.
Great video Paul
Great review, cheers Paul
I only travelled on them once (in economy), and found it a quite pleasant experience, as far as flying goes. But your comments are to the point and I'm afraid TAP should do better, yes.
Very Good video Paul, I recommeced trying a Air Europa B787-9 Dreamliner between Madrid & Barcelona that it's really good.
I like the Embraer E190 as a plane and the 2x2 configuration. Even in business. It will be interesting to see how TAP's service changes as a result of the economic problems they have had over the last year or so.
Thanks for the film review, Paul. :) .... Ding!!
I love the 'plane taps'. Today's is good to know too.
Plane tap on a TAP Plane 😃
@@Paul_Lucas But a diss on Bond ? Danny Craig is the best since Sir Sean
Thank you for the video!
Love these honest reviews. Keep up the good work. Cheers 🍻
Some of the best flights I’ve ever had was on a 195. Flyby used to operate these and I always found them very comfortable and enjoyable
Thanks for the video 👍
The facial expressions really tell the story in "first" class.
Cheering at hot towel 🤣 great video and tips ..not that I am heading Europe way in near future.
Another excellent video Paul very informative as usual .....I can`t believe you were paying for a business class ticket ? I expect TAP management choose BA ha ha....
You should try Lufthansa Business Class from Frankfurt to Budapest. TAP will look like the Ritz after that.
Really? You didn't have hot food at the lounge in FRA and not a blocked middle seat?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
only ever took 1 flight with them and to Frankfurt as well, great way to reinforce German stereotypes
Thanks for the heads up, what a shambles, no added value at all, I think your review was spot on.
I ended up on this plane going to Barcelona after connecting from a long haul flight. Considering it was just over an hour I didn't have very high expectations, so I wasn't too underwhelmed. But I couldn't imagine paying the 300 some dollars for a one way flight and end up with that.
Simply ❤ in seeing your videos...never saw such a crowded bc.is amazing how they sell such a product during post covid
TAP tend to use the Embraer between lisbon and Manchester too, I really like small planes but honestly I think they're best used when the flight is 1 hour long max or on a regional flight
I flew TAP from Madrid to Dublin most recently. I sat in the row immediately behind the business class. From what I saw, there was no difference between my seat and the one in front.
The first and last time I flew with TAP was amazing back in 1986. As I kid, about 8, it was the first time I experienced real knives and forks on an aeroplane from Man to Faro, with a TAP 727. The return was super special since the aircraft operating the return to Manchester was a 707. I guess a lot has changed since lol
It didn’t he probably bought the cheapest flight he could find lol I always travel with tap and during quarantine they changed some things like the cutlery and the food but after a couple of months it got back to normal and the lounge was bigger during quarantine they reduced it
Flew TAP 4 times this week, including back from TAP this morning from Lisbon to Dublin. One flight was A321-Neo and one Embraer and the service was 🤷🏽♂️ flights to Lisbon and Madeira were staffed by crew who did not give a ****. At least the staff were pleasant coming back from Madeira and then Lisbon.
hilarious video, thanks
Haven't watch a video of yours in 2 years due to missing the travel very much and some other things in my personal life. Sadly my access to travel was lost thanks to covid and I lost my job to do just that. Man I miss flying but praying I can get to soon.
lol, Hi Paul, I see this and thought Oh TAP, we flew with them Business - LHR to LIS (yes and back) in May2014, nice to see airline continuity :(
Only been to Lisbon once, but I remember the bus trip to the TAP aircraft took absolutely ages. When we arrived in the general area, which I think was at the threshold of runway 03, the driver didn't know which aircraft we were going to and we then ended up driving around trying to find it!
I often think passengers departing from Lisbon for the first time must think they're on a 'plane replacement service' - as the bus takes so long.
March 2023 I flew Air France from Barcelona to Paris (1.5 hour flight) and those FA worked so hard to get cold ham or cheese sandwiches and drinks to all of us - they didn't have a lot of time. I paid extra for a bulkhead seat 💺 and loved it.
Awesome video.
Flew on TAP´s A320neo PDL-LIS and its E195 LIS-DUS this week. The A320neo, though it has a dense seat configuration, is an elegant plane also on the inside, the Embraer was clearly a plane from the past. TAP used to have a decent board service on the Economy class four years ago of which nothing is left today. What a pity for a great Airline
Thanks for the heads up, looking at flying in to and out of Lisbon, next time in Europe. I thought Air New Zealand were bad, but this takes the biscuit.
Loved the review of the new Bond film!
I did get to fly that TAP A321 LR neo in business class back in early September, Heathrow-Lisbon.
Great review! Looking forward to what is coming up!
I was wondering if the short flight time had something to do with it, but as soon as you showed BA and KLM, I was done 🤣
Take the train instead.
Between Lisbon and Madrid? Good luck with finding one 😉
@@Paul_Lucas really. That’s strange isn’t it ?
Another great and honest review. Keep em coming and a BIG thumbs up.
Thanks, will do!
Ooooo very good spot of Cathay Pacific Jets Paul! :))))
Looking forward for your next video s
Hi Paul , nice video but i think you forgot , in terms of catering , what we had on the SQ flight from CPH - FCO !! Nevertheless I agree with you about the lounge , although their bar is really nice, making a great Gin Tonic but the food ya is ??? no words for it. In the A320 's series there is also no clearly blocked middleseat , so i wonder if they...
My Flight from LIS - OPO in E 190 with Portugalia was my worst experience ever. Aircraft full and no service not even a bottle of water. the return flight was with TAP instead and full service on an E 190. Anyway you will have the same experience at AF when flying CDG - STR in Business, operated by HOP and an E170. no middleseat and all you get is a bottle of water and small snacks. The same at KLM from STR - AMS and the KLM Embraers also fly long distances , means 2 - 3 hours. I think its up to the Aircraft type and the Embraers are not the best choice to fly longer routes.
Thanks Paul🌞
Interesting! I regularly fly Manchester - Lisbon with TAP and find Humberto Delgado Airport much nicer and easier to use than the confusing and grubby Manchester terminal 1. . . . . where I was staggered to once see a mouse scurrying towards the toilets. "They're everywhere mate" was the best a member of staff could offer!
Does anyone really need 'business class' on a little hop?
👏👏👏👏👏
🙏🙏🙏
Ofc some people like to fly even short flights in luxury
I've done the TAP transatlantic a few times and the Lisbon to Manchester route it was fine, I mostly slept anyways since it was at the crack of dawn and the old seats were awful on the transatlantic. With the new product I would be happy to give it another go.
Every place with a lot of edible garbage has mice. So basically near every restaurant. I've never seen mice at an airport as a passenger, but while working at one (not Manchester) I've seen many mice as well as exterminators. There's basically no stopping them. They really are everywhere.
I flew the exact same aircraft a few months back... I was shocked when somebody came and sat next to me in Business Class..😅 Luckily the cabin was completely empty. Nevertheless, why would somebody book the seat right next to me when the whole cabin is empty? 🤔
Simple, sometimes we pay fot the seat and we have buy in advance and will never know if the fly will be full on not. To change place is not always allowed.
Some people don't like flying and need someone to hold hands with?
@@1davidsmall 🤣
Tried the holding hands thing with one of the cabin crew once. It was going well until she found out I had a private pilots licence....oops.
It could of been they had an assistant do it for them. And im guessing the assistant was none to happy with them :D
The Airport bit does make me a little worried as I have a 1 hour connection on a TAP flight in the schengen area next week. Hope I make it.
@@simaomontes5688 so he arranged people to queue up like that? Or got TAP to take food away from their buffet? Or lowered the ceilings and moved the walls of the terminal so it looks cramped ? Amazing powers Mr Lucas has.
Sorry, but the way u were eating in that mediocre plane was funny, it seemed you'd got caught in a tiny cage... 😜. Thx for the video and letting us know cons and pros
Paul , have you done Dublin airport , great video. I hope your as honest because this will help ♥️
This brings back some (not so pleasant) memories. Lisbon is not a pleasant airport to use. And my last experience with TAP assured me that I would never use them again as long as I had a choice.
Imagine that your flight to LGW is cancelled and at the same time, a flight to MAN is also cancelled. So TAP pulls out a spare A321 and puts on a "new" flight from LIS to MAN via LGW, attempting to cram both cancelled flights onto one single flight. They told the assistance passengers to stand to one side whilst they boarded the MAN passengers, then the LGW passengers, and then turned around to look at the few remaining passengers still waiting at the gate: assistance and disabled passengers they'd asked to wait to one side, forgotten about, then realised the flight was full. One of the other families travelling with assistance had a terminally ill child and were supposed to be returning from their final holiday. They were unable to get onto the flight and were forced to be re-booked. The TAP ground crew had no idea what they were doing and showed very little consideration for the most vulnerable travellers that day.
Looking back at previous flights, this was something that TAP would do regularly - they would "plan" flights from Lisbon to Gatwick and Manchester within an hour of each other, seemingly with no intention of running them and then run a single flight with multiple stops. Now, if both flights were quiet, this would seem like a good logistical decision and better for the environment. But if you're doing this regularly with heavy-loaded flights, this merely seems like a cost-cutting measure that slaps the faces of two flights' worth of fare-paying passengers.
Hi, Paul. Yet another good review from your side. Whenever I watch your videos, though, I wonder why you would subject yourself to all the hassle of flying. I realise it is your job, but I personally don't enjoy flying any more for the reasons that you mention in your video. I actually saw you earlier this year on the Isle of Wight, but you were with someone and I was too shy to say hi.
I’m curious as I have seen several TAP videos about their transatlantic routes on the narrow body A321-LR and it seemed pretty nice with a revamped cabin. Though thanks for telling me about the connection experience, as I had wanted to connect through Lisbon this coming summer
I was on a a321 lr neo last month, flying from lisbon to barcelona.
It was really nice.
A321LR is really nice, flew on that this summer
Hi Paul... Thank you for all your videos. I might suggest you to make some post quarantine videos about latin american main carriers: Avianca, Latam, Copa, Aeromexico.
I have the last three on my itinerary this month! :-D
@@Paul_Lucas
That's great please test Aeromexico
Flew with them in Business Class from Mexico City to Costa Rica and the service was so incredibly bad. On a 3 hour flight they didn't serve anything to eat besides some pre packaged small cookies but advertise it as a premium breakfast. Ironically I was served the same on a economy flight I took a few weeks prior
Would be great if you could make a video
I once had a flight booked with TAP from CPH to LIS, thats nearly 3,5 hours of flying. I selected premium economy but a day before the nice and roomy A320neo was swapped to an ERJ195. It had no premium economy, so that means no extra legroom and the power outlet was lacking. I have to admit, the legroom was ok since the erj has more legroom than the A320 but I still wasnt happy.
I flew that route a couple of years ago and had a pleasant trip ,it was a new plane with middle row blocked off ,nice meal but I wasn't too hungry as I had plenty of choice in the lounge pre flight food was to a good standard better than luft&swizz ,I do agree the gates r a mess and busing to the plane is not ideal .
I'll actually be visiting Lisbon on my cruise at the end of the month
I genuinely felt stressed watching this, especially the part where he was getting on the plane initially. Top content as always though, Paul.
"No time to die" was great IMHO :D nice review mate!
Ikr, don’t know what he’s on about.
@@DSingh4809 The latest James Bond movie just was released.
Maybe you had bad luck, but its really a quite ok airline!!! Ive always enjoyed my experiences flying TAP!!
Plus...LIS-MAD is a 30-45min flight!! Basically a commuter hop across the iberian peninsula!!
Before Covid the TAP lounge in LIS was tremendous- great food & drink selection. Way diminished in plague times. Try the Lufthansa Senator lounges in FRA - much worse.
Pity Covid isn’t the plague then. So no reason for reduced food at all. It can still be served with precautions.
If it was the plague we’d have a 30-40% death rate - not a 98%+ survival rate.
Excellent 👍👍👍👍
for that price, you might as well have gotten a RyanAir flight with all the bells and whistles
Or he could've taken the train.
There isn’t one between Madrid and Lisbon (would you believe!!)
@@Paul_Lucas But there will be starting from october 31st
LOL....looks like flying LOT Polish out of Warsaw. Same airport chaos, same cramped seating, but the food actually looked better. Right now you get a stale spinach or apple pie and an awful cup of coffee (washed down by chocolate wafer biscuit). Anything more is paid for by card only (no cash). You should try it sometime, Paul.......
Picking someone up from Lisbon Airport is no joke either. Its extremely confusing.
Haven't done any other airlines apart from British Airways from Heathrow Newquay in Club Europe, it was brilliant and worth the money for what was offered for a 45 minute flight and you did get a extra free seat space in between.
That seat pitch is worse and you have difficulties in moving around while eating that sad-looking meal.
Some inter-Europe flights have that ‘economy seat’ business class where the middle seat is always blocked by the drink table.
On Asian airlines, there are better domestic, and some regional, business class seats that are mostly configured in 2-2, and offer wider seat pitch.
Lastly, a great trip report! 👍🏻
I think I would rather save my money, than travel in ‘business class’ on such a short route and on such a small aircraft.
I’ve just travelled from Guernsey to Gatwick on an Embraer 195 with Aurigny, and the seats in ‘Business Class’ on TAP look about the same as on the Guernsey flight.
It's humorous to hear comments about food. Safe, comfortable and reliable flights are the priority. If food is remotely edible I am OK. Food would NEVER be a consideration. Also humoured by lounges at airports. Who needs free food, wine and coffee before a flight? Travel is more than eating and drinking.
Wow glad to hear about that.
We were just in Lisbon 1 week ago. Inside the Lisbon airport we had (0) issues and no problem navigating our way around. However, we were flying on Air Canada and had to be bused to our aircraft which was a total mess. First off, the airline let too many people start scanning their boarding passes before any of the buses came to get people. This caused the line to back up the stairs and escalator. One woman was accusing some of us of skipping ahead in line when there was no where else to stand. She would not stop complaining. The airline itself was clueless there was an issue. To make matters worse, the bus driver got lost trying to find the plane and we went in circles for a bit.
BA and KLM look good meals….who cares about hot towels but I like those aircraft for short (sub 1 hour) flight as they are quick to load / unload
We just need more good reviews from trains you made earlier! Those business classes don't suck either ;)
Did you guys notice 6:28 :))) Love to see Easter eggs in videos!
I only noticed some eggs at 9:20 😵
Could you share what it was that I apparently missed please?
I flew Tap Business several times in Europe and I always had a great experience. I guess the lounge was reduced afterCovid - cuz I remember that lounge being super awesome and huge. So my experience is 2 years ago, so I remember reaching my gate good and no confusing queues- so not sure why that happened
Great vlog as always! I think SAS may be worse than TAP. You get your food in a Rubics cube, and on the CRJ or the ATR there are no luggage space. The only time I fly C on SAS is to the Med. The price is not that far apart from M and you get free food and drink.
To be fair to SAS, they specifically don’t market their premium cabin as business class on short haul, so I couldn’t include them. But you are right!
I just flew TAP Business roundtrip from London and back and found it just fine. Onboard meals and wine were quite nice. Nice new A321neos Yeah LIS isn't great but it's not terrible.
Since catching covid, l have been doing a lot of couch flying with you and others, just wanted to know how often you fly, and do you do this for a living?
I regularly fly TAP. I love flying in the E190 over the A320 in domestic European flights. Economy seats are much more comfortable, however, they're exactly the same ones as business class, so... Probably not worth to pay the extra.
However on longer flights, the catering service is often much better.
LIS airport needs to be renewed as soon as possible.
"The pig of the fleet" love that comment, Says it all. Bad Flight but Great Review.
On Eurobusiness class, don't expect legroom unless you get a bulkhead seat.
awwe, thanks for your review and sacrifice... thanks now we know better.
How do you get into reviewing flights for a living? Its pretty cool!
Flying out of Lisbon - USA in 2019 on American Airlines (I cannot speak to any TAP experience). a very sweet Portuguese customer service rep helped to sort issues with American when I had changed my departure date. Yes, real feeling of a "crush" and and she sighed and said, "Oh, we really need to upgrade this airport! It is far too small and out of date for the current usage." I was thinking TAP from Chicago O'Hare to LIsbon in 2022 to walk the Camino Portuguese; however, I note with a sinking feeling TAP only offer a seating upgrade from 31 inches to 34 inches, not "premium economy".
Recently I couldn’t believe how amazing Swiss business class was between London and Zurich. It was actually the same product as they offered me on long haul flying out of Zurich on a different aircraft. Don’t know if this is normal or just a stroke of good luck on that particular day.
Hi Paul just watched your video I totally agree with you the airport is a total nightmare what a nightmare of an airport I look like a piece of junk the private lounge like a piece of Barney rubble‘s front room the food on the aircraft looks something that came out of a garbage Bin And the aircraft look like something from a boneshaker that was ready to pull to bits at any time I don’t think I could give it any more polite words what a nightmare and what a terrible airline I’m glad you’ve got to fly them and I don’t have to that was no more business class that I’m Michael Jackson great video as usual Paul can’t wait to see your next one😂😂😂😡
Yes, Lisboa is quite a poor airport.
I went with TAP in 2017 and the food and service beat Swiss hands down.
Despite your catering experience, you should try BA LHR-DUB. Great crew as always, but simply shocking catering.
Not too many years ago that TAP offered a hot meal on UK-Lisbon flights!
I love dash 8's but I wouldn't want to be stuck on one for 4 hours to fly from tassie to Sydney, something that can be done in an hour and a half on a jetliner such as a 767 or A330. Yeah I agree with you, being stuck on a crappy plane for more than is needed when a more comfortable option can be used on that leg of travel is annoying :) Luckily Dahies don't do the LTN to SYD leg, its all jets :)