| TAP | Paris (ORY) → Lisbon (LIS) | A330-900neo | Economy Class | 25/06/2022 | Current review |
| TAP | Paris (ORY) → Lisbon (LIS) | A330-900neo | Economy Class | 25/06/2022 | Current review |
Hello and welcome to this new Flight review!
Today, I'm taking you aboard a special Tap Air Portugal flight between Paris-Orly and Lisbon, as it was operated on an A330neo, one of Airbus' latest jewels!
I want to mention that the flight was initially scheduled to be on an A321neo, which already made me quite happy. However, TAP decided to surprise me the day before my departure.
So, here we are at Orly airport, which I reached using the RER B and Orlyval. It's a service that I find a bit expensive at €12.50, but since I live on the RER B line, it's one of the fastest ways for me to get to Orly. Plus, when my flight times fall during rush hours, it helps me avoid any traffic jams (with Orlybus).
Normally, TAP flights are located at Terminal 1, in boarding area A. However, since today's flight is operated by a large aircraft, boarding is taking place at Terminal 3, in zone E.
The Orly 1-2-3 station is at the end of Terminal 1, so it's necessary to walk about 10 minutes before reaching the security checkpoint areas dedicated to zones D, E, and F.
Surprisingly, passing through security was very quick, and within five minutes, I was already on the other side.
After walking through the long duty-free area, we found ourselves on the concourse, which has several shops and a few restaurants on the upper level.
Fortunately, my boarding gate, E03, was just past this concourse. However, the boarding area was still closed, so I settled into the waiting spaces, next to a beautiful window that would soon allow me to admire the arrival of the magnificent A330neo.
I must say I still appreciate this part of the airport. Although it feels a bit cramped, Terminal 3 offers all the necessary services, and the Wi-Fi, at least in my experience, works very well. My only observation is that the waiting areas have few seats, leaving large empty carpeted spaces that could easily accommodate 4 or 5 more seats.
And there it is — the airplane!
Two boarding bridges were deployed to speed up the boarding process. Boarding took a while, but I understand that it's usual for large aircraft.
Once through the boarding gates, I walked down the carpeted aisle to the boarding bridge, where two flight attendants were waiting at the entrance of the aircraft to guide us to our seats.
Although my seat was in 30A, I boarded through the front door of the aircraft, which gave me the opportunity to pass through the Business class cabin, which looked very spacious and comfortable. However, it wasn't for me this time.
I finally arrived in the Economy class, where my seat was waiting for me. I was excited to discover the features that would be offered during the two-hour and fifteen minutes flight.
The legroom was more than sufficient, even for a long-haul flight. The reclining seat provided decent comfort for an Economy class.
Through the window, I could see the beautiful wingtip painted in TAP's colors — a fantastic view, indeed!
The tray table, folding in half but large enough when unfolded, could be adjusted to be closer or farther from the passenger.
The seat had a touch screen with a built-in jack and USB ports. The entertainment options were plentiful, with the latest movies, and albums, but my favorite feature is always the map with real-time tracking!
Finally, the boarding was completed, and it was time for pushback and the beginning of this adventure. The taxi time wasn't very long, and we took off from runway 24.
In this configuration, from the right window, I could catch a glimpse of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the Montparnasse Tower.
On my side, I had a view of the southern part of Paris and the airport — a temporary goodbye!
As we flew through a layer of clouds, we emerged into a beautiful blue sky, accentuating the colors of the Portuguese flag, which are also TAP's colors.
TAP offers a wide selection of snacks and beverages on board, including starters, main courses, and sweet and/or alcoholic drinks that can be combined into more or less expensive menus. I had already made my own purchases on the ground, so I didn't need to buy anything during the flight. Also, no complimentary services were provided.
Throughout my flight, I watched my favorite series and took advantage of TAP's free Wi-Fi messaging service, which needs to be renewed every hour. I still appreciate the fact that I could stay connected to the ground. I even sent a few messages to some friends, joking that I was flying over them — it's always fun!
Our cruising altitude was 41,000 feet, a considerable height that allowed us to see the land hundreds of kilometers around us.
After flying over the cloudy Bay of Biscay, we crossed Portugal under clear skies.
On the way, I caught sight of a TAP A320-214 operating flight TP563 between Hamburg and Lisbon.
My favorite approach to Lisbon is from the north when we are landing on runway 03. We get to enjoy a stunning aerial view of the city, complemented by a beautiful sunset that paints the sky with shades of orange. The spoilers are deployed to lose altitude and reduce speed.
Before aligning with runway 03, we perform a 180-degree turn over the ocean, offering another fantastic view from my window.
The flaps and landing gear are lowered, and we are now aligned. Lisbon airport's central location in relation to the rest of the city provides a picturesque approach, as we seem to land amid the colorful buildings — it's quite an impression!
Touchdown! The landing was a bit bumpier than I expected from an A330neo, but still quite decent. We have finally arrived.
Before deboarding, I asked one of the flight attendants if I could visit the cockpit of this wonderful aircraft. I don't do it often, but I couldn't miss this opportunity. And that's how I found myself (very briefly) in the A330neo cockpit. Unfortunately, the captain didn't allow photos, but my eyes were still delighted!
Deboarding was through a single door and by stairs, and then we were taken to the terminal by bus. Since I disembarked among the last passengers, there were only eight of us on the bus.
While descending the stairs, I could catch a glimpse of the magnificent Trent 7000 engine, impressive yet relatively silent.
The path to the exit was quite long. At Lisbon, when disembarking by bus, we are left at the end of the terminal and must walk through the food court before reaching the baggage claim area. Luckily, my suitcase was patiently waiting for me on the carousel.
As soon as I exited the terminal, I headed straight for the metro. Lisbon airport is connected to the metro, allowing me to reach the city center in just 20 minutes — a feature that I greatly appreciate about this airport's setup.
And so, our Flight review comes to an end. It was very interesting to take a different aircraft on a route that I frequently travel. I don't often choose TAP for my trips to Lisbon, but I'm always satisfied with their service. Both Paris-Orly and Lisbon airports are convenient airports where waiting times are never too long. Considering the price I paid (€75 round-trip), I find it an excellent value for money. I'm looking forward to taking the TAP A330neo again, but this time to take me to more distant horizons, hopefully!
