Hi,
TAP leaves Miami from the very old and cramped looking pier F. Check In however was quick and I soon headed to clear security. Security was really awful here at pier F. The dark & dull area was very hot and only lane was available for all passengers entering the whole pier. Consequently I needed ca. 25 minutes to pass through.
I spent ca. 40 minutes in the 'Club America Lounge' that TAP uses here. The lounge is very old fashioned and only offers some mediocre snacks & snacks. However at least it offers plenty of seating. The toilets however are the worst part of the lounge: very old, worn & dirty.
So I soon passed over to the gate where boarding was about to start. Pier F is really a dull and sad area with only very limited shops & restaurants etc. Luckily boarding started soon with priority lane first. However then we were hold waiting on the extremely humid and hot airbridge for another ca. 10 minutes - a really bad boarding routine for premium passengers.
I was greeted again by a rather cold crew and took my comfortable and very spay window seat in row 5.
Pillow, blanket, noice cancelling headsets and a nice Portuguese design amenity kit were already waiting at the seat (in a different design compared to my inbound flight into Miami).
The cabin ended up completely full and I was soon offered a pre departure drink & some nuts from a tray. Like on my previous TAP flight teh sparkling wine glass came maximum half full - this seems to be standard here.
Next to us a chartered 777 was waiting performing a Norwegian flight over to Europe later in the evening.
Menu had already been pre placed on the seat as well.
We left the gate perfectly on time and a flight time of short 7 hours 50 minutes was announced.
We queued up next to some nice looking different models of American Airlines.
Soon we powered along the runway direction East and our A330 neo took off providing some great views of Miami Airport, Miami Downtown and South Beach heading out to the Atlantic Ocean.
Ca. 25 minutes after take off the cabin crew came around to take main dish orders where I selected the filet mignon. Unfortunately they did nt ask preferences regarding being woken up for breakfast service. I always think that is a nice and helpful feature on night flights.
Next hot towels were distributed.
*
Soon the aperitif & canapé trolley made its appearance and the rather cold male crew member laid out white line and served me my requested Gin & Tonic.
Rubbish was cleared ca. 20 minutes later and the trolley appeared again to serve the starter tray including soup from a thermal can, warm bread and more drinks.
Main dish also followed by trolley with more bread & drinks offered.
Finally meal service ended with dessert where I decided for cheese & some Ice cream. I also had some tea & port wine with it. Chocolates from a nice box finished the dinner. Again like on my previous TAP longhaul flight the whole dinner tasted very nice - luckily on this flight the male cabin crew member on my side of the aisle warmed up at least a little bit providing some smiles now and then.
*
Cabin was darkened as sunset continued and I tried to get some sleep. The seat actually is quite comfortable for sleeping. I liked al lot that it offers plenty of ellbow space to turn around.
I managed to get some sleep for ca. 3 hours before cabin lights were turned on ca. 1 hour 45 west of Lisbon. Hot towels marked the start of the breakfast service.
Soon a cold breakfast was served from a trolley including warm bread & croissants from a basket. The brekafast tasted normal - nothing special but also not bad.
We approached Lisbon Airport while it was still dark outside and touched down on time. Unfortunately again we parked on a remote position here at Lisbon and had to disembark onto a bus. At least a dedicated bus brough all Business Class passengers to the terminal before all Economy Class guests.
Thanks for reading,
FlyAlex
