AVOID: Europe's Worst Business Class Experience

[@traincrazy6662]

Half the reason why I watch these is because I like listening to that soothing voice, and flying and travelling is cool

[@martinc.720]

“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.

[@TheRacerRich]

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.

[@johncollier608]

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.

[@shawnsheridan1718]

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.

[@nohaylamujer]

You should try Lufthansa Business Class from Frankfurt to Budapest. TAP will look like the Ritz after that.

[@FlorianWehde]

Really? You didn't have hot food at the lounge in FRA and not a blocked middle seat?

[@priscamolotsi]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BlowmeRoger]

only ever took 1 flight with them and to Frankfurt as well, great way to reinforce German stereotypes

[@AA_8184_1]

Another great video. Thanks for presenting a balanced but honest take as always! Look forward to your upcoming long-haul flight reviews!

[@glomph]

I found it to be whiny garbage.

[@ttba_1878]

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.

[@marthas8108]

Just came through Lisbon last week and tried the business class lounge. Unbelievable. Every single seat was taken. Nevermind the food, I couldn't get near it and if I had, I'd have to have eaten it standing up. Just a terrible experience. I went back downstairs, snagged a table in the little cafe, and called myself lucky. Ick.

[@BobTravellin]

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.......

[@garyhutton2654]

Paul , have you done Dublin airport , great video. I hope your as honest because this will help ♥️

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

I've been watching some youtubers who seem to have a sponsorship deal with the airline, because everything they say is positive about the airline. In your case Paul, you tell all, good or bad, very plainly.

[@varjunind1]

You mean Sam ??

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

@@varjunind1 And others too !!!!!

[@badgerattoadhall]

I flew economy (Xtra leg room) on TAP from lisbon to barcelona last month. First time with TAP, I found it to be one of the better intra European flights.

[@IsaacAmadeo]

He could still have sponsorships with other airlines just not TAP

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

@@IsaacAmadeo Okay. TAP could also make a deal with Paul, but he is a correct guy and I am sure he still would make a real review of the airline.

[@PorkChopJones]

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.

[@jorgemak4422]

Although this video is 2 years old, nothing improved until today. Unfortunately, things only got worse: in fact, with the growing up volume of passengers and flights, TAP hub in the airport has become shamely small, the lounge is crouded at all times and the overall service level is ridiculously low. When TAP charges hundreds of Euro for a business class flight and then squeezes passengers into a crouded bus, serves a lousy excuse of food as meal, and renders a bad service onboard, one can start wondering (as someone wrote) if we'd rather walk than taking one of their flights.

[@sushifornico]

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

[@inthenameofsanity2831]

Excellent video as usual Paul. Love your work. Richard from Cambridgeshire 👍

[@nibzee]

On Eurobusiness class, don't expect legroom unless you get a bulkhead seat.

[@luketucker1243]

Great video Paul

[@adroghtryhard]

TAP has a great Business Class in the A321LR and it’s decent for a European business class in the A320. Just unlucky to get that plane.

[@inflightaviation757]

My grandparents are flying TAP today from Lisbon to Newark on the A321NEON

[@Paul_Lucas]

Hope they have a great time!

[@inflightaviation757]

@@Paul_Lucas they enjoyed it they loved the experience it’s their first time flying them and Lufthansa when they got to Europe

[@p0igi0vc]

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

[@johnburke5384]

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....

[@malbergoni11]

Sorry but I completely disagree...I'm from Canada. I travel around the world for business, I tried many different business class and Tap Portugal is not bad at all. They actually great and I wouldn't judge their product or service by one experience only.

[@oldshipmatesadventures]

A 100% government-owned customer-avoiding carrier with old, outdated aircraft, TAP began with many improvements from around 2015 onwards, new aircraft came in, a new lounge was offered, and they actually became my favorite carrier. The influence of co-investor David Neeleman and by him appointed CEO Fernando Pinto were showing results. In 2020 the Portuguese state bought the investor out and came back in at more than 72%. Since then, things are getting worse every day. It seems TAP are currently digging fiercely on their own grave, and the pandemic has only accelerated that process. I had, unfortunately, many similar experiences as you on your trip. As Lufthansa, TAP blames all the reductions in service, for example, the charging for food and drinks in the economy on "the pandemic crisis". OK, great, so this service misery will go back to where it was before when this is over? Who really does believe that... ☹

[@krisbroholm]

I know it's not a guarantee, but this is why I always look at the metal before choosing a departure with TAP (I live in Porto.)

[@RickyNowis]

TAP Airlines looks horrific. Not only does the airport need a complete rebuild on the north side but a much better business class is needed.

[@BensPlanesTrainsProductions]

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.

[@stevegatwick5539]

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 :(

[@travelshad]

TAP sends the A321neo to Canada..6 hours in a narrow body aircraft? Yikes!

[@jasq2007]

I did get to fly that TAP A321 LR neo in business class back in early September, Heathrow-Lisbon.

[@meekrodriguez6438]

Awesome video.

[@qwerty69600]

Shame. I like those little Embraer 190s.

[@Dnbray]

I'll actually be visiting Lisbon on my cruise at the end of the month

[@iseytheteethsnake6290]

That’s what you get for going to Iberia peninsula!

[@eazy529]

Yeah I definitely agree with you that the latest bond film was not good. It Seems that the writers had no imagination. They took typical virus plot (which was a story line from one of the latest mission impossible movies) and then copy the ending from one of the recent mcu movies. Plus brag that you have an Oscar winning actor as your villain, but he on screen for only 20 minutes. It was an utter mess of a movie.

[@dash8brj]

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 :)

[@Canleaf08]

I will be taking the same route in a couple of months, but not in Business, but in "EconomyXtra". Noticed that I reserved an economy seat during booking, wants to change my seat, does not work, despite most seats are "free" on their website. Somehow their website is not working that well. Had I booked "Executive Class", I would have had to fork out some 400 Euros!!! Now I see what it is really worth. I will stick to my EcoXtra fare and visit the airport provided lounge (costs some 25 Euros instead of 50 Euros!)...

[@jjaus]

Seriously, that was better than Swiss Europe business class pre-covid. Row 1 3 3. No blocked middle seat. Luckily there was an empty seat in row 2, so the woman sat next to us moved there. A box with some food, no tray or serviette. No priority boarding and Budapest and Prague. Lounge in Bordeaux was a joke. Small room with occasional sandwiches. I complained about the seating and got a reply saying "our customers can choose the seats they require". Excuse me? I didn't request some stranger to sit with us in row 1. Their longhaul was just acceptable. Never again.

[@mrjdsworld80]

There’s a reason why many people say TAP stands for “Take Another Provider”

[@JamesSmith-jp6xd]

Shocking!

[@chrismv102]

Since TAP is a low-cost carrier and you were flying on a subcontractor's plane of a low-cost carrier, then you were really screwed.

[@briangasser973]

I nlticed it was TAP Express and not a TAP aircraft.

[@Paul_Lucas]

TAP is a full service carrier in the Star Alliance! 😊

[@chrismv102]

@@Paul_Lucas Here in the US they're considered a low-cost trans-Atlantic carrier like Norwegian.

[@Canleaf08]

@@chrismv102 Business class costs some 400-600 Euros on this route. This is not a low cost airline.

[@fgsaramago]

@@chrismv102 they arent supposed to be low cost. Their fares to North America are cheaper due to the new planes who use less fuel, not because service and everything else is supposed to be a low cost experience. Now, when in a company you cut everyone's pay 25 to 50%, its not surprising that they arent thrilled about the job theyre doing

[@sivipt]

i couldnt agree more with you, what a disgrace of a "business" service, and what a terrible lounge and bad airport... air portugal sucks... but they don´t give a sh.. cos the airport/destination is in high demand

[@DiogoF.]

TAP is a disaster. Travelling nowadays is pure nightmare.

[@johnmatthews8088]

When look on Wikipedia it shows tP airlines themselves don't operate the embrear 190 only tap express so can avoid this like do tap themselves operate Lisbon to Madrid or are all ghost flights tap express paul

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent 👍👍👍👍

[@anthonydavid5121]

Your complaints reflect the realities of many flying on a multitude of airlines all over the planet. Sadly, TAP is no exception.

[@77smp]

Any info on the BA A380 flying short haul to Madrid next month? That'd be some journey.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Supposed to be happening although I can't see the flights for sale yet. Sadly, I hear no upper deck will be sold and no passengers will be in the first class cabin for that trip!

[@doc7austin]

Paul, thank you for review! the three letters TAP stand for Take Another Plane;

[@RodChies]

Next time try the LIS-RAI-LIS and you will see the worst in TAP !!! Awkward experience and the worst cost x benefit by far…

[@carlosga1978]

The lounge looks like the newest McDonalds in Mexico City. I agree with you, the atmosphere is not exactly classy nor elegant. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Zuuu40]

I love your videos but can you please add subtitles

[@spinalcrackerbox]

Josh Cahill doesn't know how good he's had it on his intra-European flight on LOT, which he just proclaimed to be Europe's worst business class 😉

[@andyrob3259]

Josh always whinges. Used to like him a lot but all of a sudden it was almost as if he found out he would get more viewers whining than doing normal calm reviews and the tone of his channel changed.

[@piruzinho9]

That's why TAP stands for Take Another Plane. I remember in one flight from Lisbon to Johannesburg they left the business class meals behind. On another flight on the same route the forgot the blankets. Avoid it like the plague.

[@joespittle1]

6:29 Going to see it tomorrow, hopefully it isn't tooooo bad

[@belugast]

Angola Govt Global Express parked down by cargo was nice but apart from that TAP business is a no and yes new JB film is not the best!

[@christwomey6911]

Never had a problem with TAP nor Lisbon airport....

[@rc9110]

It’s a shame you had a terrible experience flying TAP. I am of a completely different opinion. TAP Portugal’s Business Class is actually quite exceptional in comparison to other European carriers; even against some global one’s. The only difference is I do not fly the rather small cross board flight as your’s. My more frequent flight is Lisbon to Newark on the A330neo. On this international flight, TAP certainly outperforms in their forward class far greater than KLM, Air France, British Airways, El Al, and Lufthansa. The economy class doesn’t look to shabby either. Lisbon Airport is however way to busy for it’s size and confusing. I prefer my trips go to Porto International Airport instead. Lisbon’s premium lounge is very nice, comfortable, and well stocked. Try out TAP Business Class on a long haul flight and I assure you will have a different opinion of the brand. In the event your opinion doesn’t change, the next best for you would be a First Class seat onboard Emirates. Cheers.

[@Madrid10000]

TAP is a very bad airline. Iberia is much better: catering, crew, MAD airport, punctuality and premium lounge. It's really worth it.

[@jamescasey2347]

Really dislike the E190, keep getting stuck on them with NoRRa who are contracted to do some of the Finnair routes, uncomfortable seats for a 3 hour flight.

[@kartikkantheti5690]

7:20 you can see a private jet of the Government of Angola standing. Looks like some politicians and dignitaries were in Lisbon at the time.

[@doc7austin]

and be careful: TAP is notorious for downgauging the A321neo (with the longhaul biz product) on shorthaul routes at short notice

[@Paul_Lucas]

As i found out 😃

[@aaronvancoillie1088]

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.

[@Paul_Lucas]

TAP operate the 321neo to London for example, but often downgrade it on the day of travel.

[@aaronvancoillie1088]

@@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.

[@marcotd7923]

@@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

[@syed2194]

"Get you a man who can do both" 😂

[@richt71]

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!

[@gharwood1356]

Just had one! Lidl sell them.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Yes and there is a good cafe to be fair in LIS airport that also sells them!

[@luistadeudecastrobarbosaem7708]

Lidl ?? Yhea those are for connosseurs only . Kkkkkkk

[@gharwood1356]

@@luistadeudecastrobarbosaem7708 Baked in store and as good as the real thing.

[@andyrob3259]

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 👍👍

[@FlyAround]

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? 🤔

[@tonisil4751]

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.

[@1davidsmall]

Some people don't like flying and need someone to hold hands with?

[@Akash_158]

@@1davidsmall 🤣

[@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.

[@MacPhal1]

It could of been they had an assistant do it for them. And im guessing the assistant was none to happy with them :D

[@ralphemerson497]

“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.

[@fgsaramago]

If they are gerting taxpayer money, then the absolutely should ve maximizing profits so that they pay it back quickly

[@steve-marsh]

The only positive thing about this flight is your video Paul! 😆

[@mattdarling9450]

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.

[@dsdonovan]

The facial expressions really tell the story in "first" class.

[@travelmentaryTV]

Did you guys notice 6:28 :))) Love to see Easter eggs in videos!

[@LordOfBrownies]

I only noticed some eggs at 9:20 😵

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

Could you share what it was that I apparently missed please?

[@helend222]

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.

[@andrewkosmowski3985]

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.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

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?

[@ElianaSilva-ld6dn]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@antoniogamito8987]

🙏🙏🙏

[@EddieNketiahs]

Ofc some people like to fly even short flights in luxury

[@felixsoheili1154]

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.

[@CheapBastard1988]

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.

[@jelof21]

for that price, you might as well have gotten a RyanAir flight with all the bells and whistles

[@Neville60001]

Or he could've taken the train.

[@Paul_Lucas]

There isn’t one between Madrid and Lisbon (would you believe!!)

[@moritz7021]

@@Paul_Lucas But there will be starting from october 31st

[@kaivanloon]

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.

[@andyrob3259]

@@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.

[@Syunnnnnnn]

that aint business, that's economy+ at best

[@calfencer]

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.

[@28466wnclee]

Hello. I really like your air travel videos. Even your handle "Wiginit" is great. But one thing that truly annoys me, and I think many others is the way you shovel your food. Best though and keep making great videos. LeRoy

[@Michel0sso]

Flying business class within Europe is a waste of money with every single airline. you can do this same review and just change the name of the airline. And I'm not talking about low cost. TAP is great in long range business class though.

[@CCSRoberto1]

Maybe you had bad luck, but its really a quite ok airline!!! Ive always enjoyed my experiences flying TAP!!

[@CCSRoberto1]

Plus...LIS-MAD is a 30-45min flight!! Basically a commuter hop across the iberian peninsula!!

[@SlavaUkraini85]

hm I actually like the long haul business class of TAP when I flew from MIA to LIS in their A330Neo

[@genesis1765]

Picking someone up from Lisbon Airport is no joke either. Its extremely confusing.

[@ZRHTrainspotter]

TAP fly an embraer 190 for an almost 5 hours flight to Conakry

[@Paul_Lucas]

Omg 😂

[@loeyourlife]

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.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Not too many years ago that TAP offered a hot meal on UK-Lisbon flights!

[@miguelsequeira9240]

Try american national flights and then we can talk about the rest

[@DrSloth78]

Get priority boarding, but it's f-ing worthless as it's a scrum of passengers milling about on the tarmac

[@toe102]

I am just here for the James Bond Fans (and the video to)

[@ChrisScott464]

Surely the 'worst' business class experience would be a serious crash. Not a cramped seat & some poorish food. I think your getting too used to luxury flights Paul & need to come down off your high horse a peg or 2. The airline got you to your destination safely & that is surely the main thing of any flight. Love your channel & this is just my opinion having only flown 6 times before & suffered 1 horrendous emergency landing when the plane could not turn left. Too much emphasis of this review is put on peripheral things. Most important thing for me about any plane is SAFETY.

[@Paul_Lucas]

I always find it strange when people who subscribe to a flight review channel complain that...I review the flight. "Most important thing is safety" whoever would think it wasn't?

[@frankmcgee3213]

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 🤣

[@simonf8902]

Take the train instead.

[@Paul_Lucas]

Between Lisbon and Madrid? Good luck with finding one 😉

[@simonf8902]

@@Paul_Lucas really. That’s strange isn’t it ?

[@beastboss90]

I don’t get your surprise for apples in packages...amids a pandemic you may not want the apple you are going to bite to be touched by others would you?

[@Bo-tz4nw]

Okey, there are probably worse things happening in the world (of travelling) You´ll survive, I hope.

[@gunther3527]

TAP = take another plane 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@DAPAR26]

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.

[@JoeSmith-hs4lo]

I'm Portuguese and have only flown Tap twice in Business class and that was enough the lounge is a nightmare, nothing like Emirates business class which I highly recommend, when I fly to LHR I always opt for BA Club.

[@snoopy13946]

Yes I must say flying business class in Europe was a very poor experience compared to flying business class domestically in Australia where you get a wide reclining seat and proper full meals with a dining experience. Just not the same.

[@rais1953]

Why would you pay the money? Surely economy is not much worse? Pre COVID flying from Perth to Indonesia and Malaysia I was happy enough to use Jetstar and Air Asia with prepaid luggage and meals. It's only a few hours.

[@dylanrippon5863]

I fly a lot of KLM embraers and really like them…not sure why Paul is so down on the aircraft

[@GenkisTravels]

Shame about the experience, I'd still fly them :D

[@Adam-fj9px]

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

[@ElianKorsaan]

We just need more good reviews from trains you made earlier! Those business classes don't suck either ;)

[@connorevans26]

I genuinely felt stressed watching this, especially the part where he was getting on the plane initially. Top content as always though, Paul.

[@ruipitasilva]

Maybe the worst video,