The new route began operating on Thursday, 29 October, with three weekly flights connecting Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport and Orlando International Airport.

Flights depart on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, giving passengers a direct connection to Central Florida without having to change planes at another American or European airport.

The service is also expected to attract American travellers looking to visit Portugal, with Lisbon providing onward connections to other destinations across Europe, Africa and South America.

Three flights a week

The inaugural flight, TP267, departed Lisbon on 29 October aboard an Airbus A330-900neo, registered CS-TUN.

The aircraft is part of TAP’s long-haul fleet and is designed for transatlantic services.

The scheduled journey from Lisbon to Orlando takes approximately nine hours and 50 minutes, while the return flight takes around seven hours and 50 minutes.

Passengers should check their booking confirmation for departure and arrival times, as schedules may vary depending on the date and seasonal time changes.

The airline announced the route in February during the BTL tourism fair in Lisbon, when it outlined plans to expand its international network throughout 2026.

Orlando becomes TAP’s second destination in Florida, joining Miami, and its ninth airport destination in the United States.

The new connection also marks the first scheduled nonstop service linking Portugal with Central Florida.

What will tickets cost?

According to Portuguese tourism industry publication TNews, introductory fares for the new route have been advertised from €529.

However, the ticketed amount passengers pay will also depend on travel dates, availability, fare conditions and whether additional services are included.

As with other long-haul routes, prices can vary considerably between slower travel periods and peak holiday seasons.

The three weekly departures also mean that travellers planning shorter visits will need to consider the available flight days when arranging their itineraries.

More than a destination for theme parks

Orlando is internationally recognised for its theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld.

For Portuguese families, the new service offers a more straightforward journey to attractions that previously often required a connecting flight.

However, Orlando is also an important business destination.

Central Florida has established industries in aerospace, aviation, technology, healthcare and biotechnology, alongside its extensive tourism sector.

The new air connection could therefore support business travel as well as leisure tourism between Portugal and the United States.

For American visitors, the route provides direct access to Lisbon and connections to other parts of Portugal, including Porto, Madeira and the Algarve through the wider transport network.

It may also make Portugal more accessible to travellers from Central Florida who previously had to connect through another airport to reach Lisbon.

TAP expands its American network

The Orlando launch forms part of TAP’s wider strategy to strengthen its presence in North America.

According to TNews, the airline now operates more than 70 weekly flights between Portugal and the United States.

Across North America, its network includes 11 destinations and more than 80 weekly frequencies.

Speaking in connection with the inaugural service, TAP’s chief financial officer, Renato Inácio, described North America as an important market for the airline and highlighted the opportunities the route creates for travel between Florida and Portugal.

The expansion also reinforces Lisbon’s role as a connecting airport for passengers travelling between North America, Europe, Africa and South America.

For TAP, Orlando adds another destination to its transatlantic network. For passengers, the more immediate benefit is a direct journey between Portugal and Central Florida, with the first flights already underway.

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