TAP Air Portugal has confirmed the launch of a new direct route between Lisbon and Orlando, Florida, scheduled to begin on October 29, 2026, reinforcing its transatlantic network and expanding options for passengers travelling between Portugal and the United States. The service will operate three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, giving leisure and diaspora travellers a more direct connection to one of Florida’s key tourism and business hubs.
The announcement was made as part of TAP’s broader 2026 expansion strategy presented during the Better Tourism Lisbon (BTL) fair in Lisbon, where airline executives outlined plans for new long-haul and European services alongside investment initiatives in domestic infrastructure. The new Orlando link strengthens TAP’s presence in the North American market, complementing its existing services to Boston, Newark, Miami and Washington.
The Lisbon–Orlando route is expected to appeal to a mix of holidaymakers, theme park visitors, cruise passengers and families, as well as Portuguese communities living in the United States. With three weekly flights, the service seeks to balance demand and operational efficiency while providing an alternative to one-stop flights via other European hubs. The flights are being marketed on TAP’s official booking platform, highlighting the airline’s continued focus on competitive Atlantic connectivity.
The Orlando route forms part of a larger network expansion that marks significant growth for TAP in 2026. The carrier is also celebrating 60 years of scheduled service to Brazil, where it has announced two new destinations from Lisbon. Service to Curitiba is set to begin on July 2 with three weekly flights operated Airbus A330-200 aircraft, and a Lisbon–São Luís do Maranhão connection will start on October 26 with two weekly flights using Airbus A321LR aircraft. These additions further consolidate TAP’s role as a leading European airline in the Brazil market.
In addition to long-haul growth, TAP is expanding its European and intra-continental offer. New Lisbon–Athens flights are scheduled from July 1 with five weekly frequencies, and Lisbon–Tel Aviv services will resume from March 29. At its secondary hub in Porto, the airline plans new routes to Terceira in the Azores, Praia in Cape Verde and Tel Aviv later in the year, while making the Boston service year-round rather than seasonal. These developments aim to diversify TAP’s network and attract a broader mix of tourism and business traffic.
The expansion strategy coincides with ongoing preparations for TAP’s partial privatisation, expected to draw interest from major European airline groups. As the Portuguese government moves forward with its plans, the airline’s growth trajectory reflects efforts to enhance connectivity, stimulate tourism and support economic ties across continents.
