TAP Portugal Business Class Review from Oslo to Lisbon on the A320neo
TAP Portugal has worked hard in recent years to position itself as a competitive choice for premium travel within Europe, with its modern A320neo fleet operating many key routes. It is also the hub for flights connecting Europe and Brazil. But how does their short-haul Business Class product actually compare?
This particular flight was part of my summer trip from Scandinavia to Portugal, booked as a one-way ticket for a very reasonable fare. Business Class was actually CHEAPER than Economy Class! Seat selection was free, and I chose seat 4A on the left-hand side of the aircraft to enjoy window views during the 4-hour flight.
In this detailed trip report, I’ll take you through every step of my TAP Portugal Business Class journey from Oslo (OSL) to Lisbon (LIS) aboard the A320neo, including:
- Check-in and priority boarding at Oslo Gardermoen Airport
- A look inside TAP’s European Business Class cabin layout
- Seat comfort and space in 4A
- Meal service with Portuguese flair
- Service style and in-flight atmosphere
- Arrival into Lisbon and connection experience at TAP’s main hub
If you’re planning a trip between Scandinavia and Portugal, or simply curious about how TAP Portugal Business Class on the A320neo compares to other European carriers, this review will give you a clear idea of what to expect.
Flight details
- Flight number: TP763
- Date: August 17, 2024
- Route: Oslo (OSL) → Lisbon (LIS)
- Departure: 13:10 local time
- Arrival: 16:20 local time
- Duration: Approx. 4 hours 10 minutes
- Aircraft: Airbus A320neo
- Class: Business Class (European Business layout)
- Seat: 4A
- Frequent flyer program: Miles&Go / Star Alliance
From the smooth check-in at Oslo Gardermoen to a Portuguese-inspired inflight service and a scenic approach into Lisbon, this trip report showcases what TAP Portugal’s short-haul Business Class has to offer on its new-generation A320neo.
Oslo Airport (OSL)
My journey began at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL), Norway’s main international gateway and one of the most modern airports in Scandinavia. Designed with clean Nordic architecture, OSL is bright, efficient, and easy to navigate, making it a pleasant starting point for any European flight.
Check-in for TAP Portugal Business Class was located in the main departure hall, with dedicated counters for premium passengers. The process was quick and well-organized, with priority tags added to my luggage.
Security at Gardermoen is usually smooth, and the airport offers a dedicated Fast Track lane for Business Class and Star Alliance Gold passengers. Even at midday, I was through in just a few minutes.
With plenty of shops, cafés, and open spaces, Oslo Airport manages to feel both modern and welcoming — a strong first impression before boarding my TAP Portugal A320neo flight to Lisbon.
SAS Lounge
As a TAP Portugal Business Class passenger, I had access to the SAS Lounge, located just past security in the international departures area of Oslo Gardermoen. The lounge is not run by TAP itself but by SAS serving served the Star Alliance carriers. Since SAS today is part of Skyteam, TAP passengers have access to the OSL Lounge.
The design is minimalist and functional, with plenty of natural light thanks to large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the apron. While the lounge isn’t huge, it offers a good mix of seating — from comfortable armchairs to more practical workspaces.
Food and drinks were typical for a Scandinavian lounge: a small but fresh buffet with cold cuts, bread, salads, soups, and a few hot options. Snacks, fruit, coffee, tea, wine, and beer were also available. The highlight for me was the calm atmosphere compared to the busy terminal outside.
Wi-Fi worked well, and there were ample power outlets for charging devices. It’s not a luxurious lounge by global standards, but for a short wait before boarding, it provided a comfortable and quiet environment.
Overall, the SAS Lounge is a solid pre-flight stop — functional, clean, and peaceful, though not especially memorable compared to TAP’s home lounges in Lisbon.
Boarding TAP Portugal A320neo
Boarding for TAP Portugal flight TP763 from Oslo (OSL) to Lisbon (LIS) began right on time, with Business Class and Star Alliance Gold members invited to board first. Priority was well enforced, and within minutes I was walking down the jet bridge toward the waiting Airbus A320neo.
Stepping onboard, the crew offered a warm Portuguese welcome, setting the tone for the flight. The A320neo cabin felt modern and fresh, with bright LED lighting and TAP’s signature green and red branding details.
As is common across Europe, TAP Portugal Business Class uses a standard 3–3 layout with the middle seat kept empty, providing extra space and comfort. The front rows were reserved for Business Class, separated from Economy by a small divider curtain. The atmosphere in the cabin was quiet and relaxed, a noticeable contrast to the busier Economy section behind.
TAP Portugal Business Class Seat and Entertainment
On this flight I chose seat 4A, a window seat on the left-hand side of the TAP Portugal A320neo Business Class cabin. As is standard on short-haul European flights, the seat itself is the same as in Economy, arranged in a 3–3 configuration, but the middle seat is blocked to provide additional space and privacy.
The seat offered around 30–32 inches of pitch and was reasonably comfortable for a three-hour flight. Legroom was fine for daytime travel, though it’s not a true recliner or lie-flat seat like you’d find on long-haul TAP flights.
In terms of in-flight entertainment, the A320neo does not feature individual seatback screens. You do however have a tablet holder, so you can watch stuff on your iPad. Wi-Fi was available for purchase, and speeds were good enough for messaging and light browsing during the flight.
Overall, while the seat is basic by Business Class standards, the empty middle seat and quiet front cabin made it a comfortable way to travel from Oslo to Lisbon.
Food onboard
One of the highlights of this flight was the meal service in TAP Portugal Business Class. Shortly after takeoff, menus were handed out, offering two choices for the main dish. I opted for the pasta, which was served alongside a fresh salad, artisan bread, and a small but flavorful dessert.
The presentation was simple but elegant, and the food quality exceeded expectations for a short European flight. The ingredients tasted fresh, and the pasta was perfectly cooked — a noticeable step above the typical “light meals” often served in short-haul Business Class within Europe.
The drink selection included Portuguese wines, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. What really stood out was the attentiveness of the crew: even after the trays had been cleared, they continued to pass through the cabin offering refills, chips, and light snacks.
Overall, the catering on this flight felt high quality, authentic, and generous, giving the journey a more premium feel than many other European carriers in Business Class.
Flying from Oslo to Lisbon
Our TAP Portugal flight from Oslo to Lisbon was slightly delayed, with boarding completed on time but departure pushed back by about 40 minutes. The captain explained the unusual reason: due to a bike race taking place in Lisbon, traffic restrictions meant we had to wait before being cleared for departure. As a result, the aircraft remained parked on the taxiway until we received the go-ahead.
Once airborne, the flight itself was smooth and uneventful. Cruising south over Europe, the modern A320neo cabin felt quiet and comfortable, with attentive crew service throughout. After almost four hours in the air, we began our descent into Lisbon.
The arrival offered beautiful views of Portugal’s coastline in the afternoon sun, with the city of Lisbon spread out beneath us. Despite the late departure, we landed safely at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) and taxied quickly to TAP’s main terminal, where Business Class passengers were among the first to disembark.
Final Verdict – Is TAP Business Class in Europe a good pick?
Flying TAP Portugal Business Class on the A320neo from Oslo to Lisbon turned out to be a very pleasant short-haul experience. While the seat itself is the same as in Economy with the middle blocked, the quiet front cabin, extra space, and attentive crew made the journey feel premium.
The real highlight was the catering: a proper hot meal with fresh ingredients, Portuguese wine, and crew who continued to offer drinks and snacks even after the trays were cleared. This level of service easily puts TAP ahead of many other European airlines on flights of similar length.
The 40-minute departure delay due to unusual circumstances in Lisbon was a minor inconvenience, but once in the air, the flight was smooth and enjoyable. Add in the benefits of priority boarding, lounge access at Oslo, and seamless arrival at TAP’s Lisbon hub, and the overall package is strong.
For anyone traveling between Europe and Portugal, TAP Portugal’s A320neo Business Class is a solid choice — especially if you value good food, attentive service, and a reliable Star Alliance connection through Lisbon.
