Which one is better to LIS - AC810 or TP?
Jun 26, 2024 | 11:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 38
Which one is better to LIS - AC810 or TP?
Since both AC and Tap fly to Lisbon, I am wondering what the opinions of the experts here are on their business class products.
AC
- signature lounge (for revenue tix / business flexible)
- 1-2-1 seating more independent than Tap's 2-2 seats (but TP has throne seats)
- meal pre-order available (Tap isn't availble ex-YYZ)
- champagne and alcohol options seem more expensive?
- AC service is a hit or miss (maybe mostly a miss)
TP
- throne seats seem to be more spacious than AC's signature business seat in A330
- A321LR (narrowbody) - perhaps more attentive service?
- EU261 applies on flights to Europe (but I don't know if TP actually pays them)
Who has better food??
AC
- signature lounge (for revenue tix / business flexible)
- 1-2-1 seating more independent than Tap's 2-2 seats (but TP has throne seats)
- meal pre-order available (Tap isn't availble ex-YYZ)
- champagne and alcohol options seem more expensive?
- AC service is a hit or miss (maybe mostly a miss)
TP
- throne seats seem to be more spacious than AC's signature business seat in A330
- A321LR (narrowbody) - perhaps more attentive service?
- EU261 applies on flights to Europe (but I don't know if TP actually pays them)
Who has better food??
Last edited by traveller12345; Jun 26, 2024 at 11:08 am Reason: for J only
Jun 26, 2024 | 11:25 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,436
I've done both in J, in both directions.
I'm not a huge fan of AC's 330 J product and I really like the TP throne seat, although it seems like a divisive topic. The food ex-YYZ is roughly comparable, but the TP soup course is kinda cool. TP service tends to be a little less friendly than AC, but also less variable IMHO.
The one weird thing is that I have had two TP flights out of YYZ that actually left early, to the point where I was running from the MLL with my name being called out on the PA.
I'm not a huge fan of AC's 330 J product and I really like the TP throne seat, although it seems like a divisive topic. The food ex-YYZ is roughly comparable, but the TP soup course is kinda cool. TP service tends to be a little less friendly than AC, but also less variable IMHO.
The one weird thing is that I have had two TP flights out of YYZ that actually left early, to the point where I was running from the MLL with my name being called out on the PA.
Jun 26, 2024 | 11:38 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL AC*E50
Posts: 23,515
Its such a short flight and both airlines are a mediocre experience. Make the decision based on price/flight connections etc.
Some people prefer to arrive in Europe at 6am with the early TP flight, some prefer to depart late at night, personal preference.
Access to SS would probably sway me to AC, so I can get more sleep and skip the AC forgettable food/service on board.
On the way back it would be TP for sure.
Some people prefer to arrive in Europe at 6am with the early TP flight, some prefer to depart late at night, personal preference.
Access to SS would probably sway me to AC, so I can get more sleep and skip the AC forgettable food/service on board.
On the way back it would be TP for sure.
Jun 26, 2024 | 1:00 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 38
I've done both in J, in both directions.
I'm not a huge fan of AC's 330 J product and I really like the TP throne seat, although it seems like a divisive topic. The food ex-YYZ is roughly comparable, but the TP soup course is kinda cool. TP service tends to be a little less friendly than AC, but also less variable IMHO.
The one weird thing is that I have had two TP flights out of YYZ that actually left early, to the point where I was running from the MLL with my name being called out on the PA.
I'm not a huge fan of AC's 330 J product and I really like the TP throne seat, although it seems like a divisive topic. The food ex-YYZ is roughly comparable, but the TP soup course is kinda cool. TP service tends to be a little less friendly than AC, but also less variable IMHO.
The one weird thing is that I have had two TP flights out of YYZ that actually left early, to the point where I was running from the MLL with my name being called out on the PA.
Jun 26, 2024 | 4:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AC E50K
Posts: 93
Did TAP J last year on this route. Crew was rather austere with drinks and a bit slow overall, but otherwise a totally fine experience. Row 1 has a significantly larger footwell, although it is a row of two as you probably now. Food was tasty and interesting, certainly a welcome change if you fly AC J regularly. Personally the SS would still win me over, all else equal.
Jun 26, 2024 | 6:30 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 283
Also found that the TAP food was tastier and more interesting than AC, some of the best J food I've had. Nothing flashy, but was just simple and really well executed. Lovely Portuguese wines (I'm not one to check prices) and chocolates.
The horror stories of dealing with TAP during IRROPS would probably sway me to AC though.
The horror stories of dealing with TAP during IRROPS would probably sway me to AC though.
Jun 26, 2024 | 6:37 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: FRA
Programs: AC SE 1MM, UA PP, Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott Gold Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 2,960
If Aeroplan earnings are a consideration for you, TP earns 7124 SQM in J (200%) but no SQD (unless ticketed by AC) and no AC Lifetime Miles whereas AC earns 5343 SQM in J (150%) plus X SQD plus 5343 Lifetime Miles.
Jun 26, 2024 | 6:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,362
Jun 26, 2024 | 7:40 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: FRA
Programs: AC SE 1MM, UA PP, Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott Gold Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 2,960
Sadly TP is now only 150% for J.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...artners.html#/
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...artners.html#/
Jun 26, 2024 | 9:12 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC-SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,433
I found what you wrote here interesting as I flew TP two years ago between VCE & LIS and they were four hours delayed. They denied my EU261 claim, had to go through a third party, and got my compensation.
Jun 26, 2024 | 9:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,702
Either way, AC or TP, cash or points, if you got J before you checked in, you've got no reason to bust your ... for the last 50m. And YYZ INTL MLL, or SSL (if that is the choice) a handful of carrot sticks is absolutely better than YYZ INTL INTERMINGLEDWITHSTARBUCKS.
Jun 27, 2024 | 12:01 am
#12
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 6,377
If I could mix and match, from a product/experience perspective, I would do AC on the outbound for SS access (and skip the food on board) and TP on the return for a change of pace. That said, neither J product is sufficiently good to outweigh schedule IMO.
Jun 27, 2024 | 5:30 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YUL
Programs: ✈ AC 1MM / S100K - SPG Lifetime Platinum = BONVoY Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,521
I've not done Tap ever. Doing 4 throne seats YUL-LIS in 6 weeks.
Short flight, wanted to try something different, and good redemption cost were my reasons.
Lounges or SS lounge doesn;t sway me ever.... "AL"L lounges , we always find something to moan about. I set expectations , that way I'm never shocked
Short flight, wanted to try something different, and good redemption cost were my reasons.
Lounges or SS lounge doesn;t sway me ever.... "AL"L lounges , we always find something to moan about. I set expectations , that way I'm never shocked
Jun 27, 2024 | 5:33 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 3,104
To me neither AC nor TAP are substantially different, they each have their own pros and cons. That being the case, I'd take the AC flight eastbound with its later departure time, and have a better shot at actually getting some sleep. If travel schedules allowed it, I'd probably take TAP on the return leg if only to get home a bit sooner.
Jun 27, 2024 | 7:14 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL AC*E50
Posts: 23,515
But for sure the late flight. The earlier one arrives in Europe before 6am.... good for connections, not good for arrivals.