Requesting Opinions on Flying TP EWR-LIS-FCO

[njhorseman]

We'll be flying to Rome next year for a cruise, and plan to use our CO OnePass miles, preferrably for business class seats. In reviewing our flight options, I noted that by flying Star Alliance partner TP from EWR-LIS-FCO, I could obtain business class seats for about half the miles I would have to use on CO's daily nonstop EWR-FCO flight. Having never flown TP, I'd like to obtain the opinions of anyone who is familiar with the airline, specifically:

 

TP's reputation for safety and on time performance.

 

Quality of TP business calls cabin seats, service and meals, particularly in comparison to CO BusinessFirst, which I have used a number of times and find quite satisfactory.

 

 

Ease of changing planes (both TP flights) and comfort of waiting lounges in LIS. I assume our bags would be checked through to FCO but we will have to clear passport control in LIS.

 

Minimum reasonable connection time in LIS.

 

Thanks in advance.

[ab0si]

The Biz class seats are the angled flat type. I really hate these (not just TAP's but all of them).

 

I never eat on planes, so I can't comment on the service/food (my needs are limited to a liter of water).

 

You will clear passport control in Lisbon and customs in Rome.

 

Lisbon is a small airport, so I doubt you would need much time to connect. That's a guess, though. I've flown into and out of LIS several times but have never connected there.

 

On-time information:

 

http://www.flightstats.com/ is a good source.

For example, the EWR-LIS flight 4104 has been on-time 100% of the time and flight 104 85% of the time for an average of 88%. That compares to CO's 57% on-time. 88% is remarkably good for any flight on any line flying anywhere from EWR.

 

Data is for the two months ended 15 Oct.