TAP Air Portugal Launches Major New 9-Hour Nonstop US Route Today: See Map Now

Published Oct 29, 2026, 9:01 AM EDT Prachi is a London-based journalist with extensive experience in the aviation industry. She has worked for several leading industry publications, covering a broad range of topics. Her expertise lies in aircraft maintenance, emerging technologies, and advanced air mobility. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Journalism, focusing on data journalism and its potential to transform conventional aviation reporting. The day is finally here. Today, on Thursday, October 29, TAP Air Portugal is launching a brand-new nonstop transatlantic service between Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Notably, this will be the first-ever nonstop air link between Portugal and Central Florida. The Portuguese flag carrier has steadily expanded its presence in the United States over the past few years. With the addition of Orlando, the Star Alliance member will now serve nine US destinations across 11 year-round routes. TAP To Operate Three Weekly Flights To Orlando Credit: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock The new route will operate year-round, with three weekly flights every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The service will cover approximately 4,132 miles (6,648 kilometers). It has a scheduled block time of nine hours and 50 minutes from Lisbon to Orlando and seven hours and 50 minutes in the opposite direction. Flight Route Time (local)* TP267 Lisbon – Orlando 2:20 PM – 7:10 PM TP268 Orlando – Lisbon 9:40 PM – 10:30 AM +1 *The October 29 and October 31 launch-week flights arrive in Orlando at 8:10 PM and depart at 10:40 PM because Portugal ends daylight saving time one week before Florida. From November 2, the timings shown in the table apply According to data from aviation analytics company Cirium, TAP will primarily use its Airbus A330-900 aircraft on the route, although some flights are also scheduled on the older A330-200. The addition of Orlando is very interesting given the importance of the US market to Portugal's tourism industry. According to GlobalData figures cited by Turismo de Portugal, international departures by US travelers are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.1% between 2026 and 2029 and reach 162 million by the end of that period. In 2025, Portugal welcomed more than 2.37 million American travelers. Loading map… Drag to explore Florida was the largest source market among US states and accounted for 16.8% of these visitors, followed by California (11.8%) and New York (11.4%). The Portuguese carrier already serves South Florida through its daily, year-round flights between Lisbon and Miami International Airport (MIA). Before the Orlando launch, the Miami–Lisbon route handled more than 400,000 passengers annually in both directions, and many of them originated from Central Florida. TAP's New Orlando Route Also Targets Cargo Demand Credit: Matheus Obst | Shutterstock The new service will certainly give Central Florida travelers a direct connection to Portugal. But perhaps that is not the only demand the airline is targeting. It is also looking to capitalize on cargo traffic between the two markets. Orlando and the wider Central Florida region are home to several businesses in the aerospace, technology, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Goods such as aircraft parts, electronics, medical technology, industrial machinery, and some perishable goods are among the products transported between these markets. In fact, ECS Group subsidiary America Cargo GSA, which is TAP's general sales and service agent for the US market, has already begun marketing the available cargo capacity and working with freight forwarders to develop demand for the route. The cargo company says that TAP’s new nonstop service “shaves hours off existing two-leg connections and is therefore a highly attractive alternative, particularly for shippers of high-value, time-sensitive goods.” From what we know, the Lisbon-based airline is expected to offer between 45 and 60 tonnes of cargo capacity per week on the route. For context, Airbus states that the A330-900 can accommodate up to 11 pallets or 33 LD3 containers in its lower deck, depending on the loading configuration. Overall, the aircraft offers a maximum lower-deck cargo volume of approximately 158.4 cubic meters (5,590 cubic feet). TAP's US Network Expands To 12 Routes Credit: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock How the new Orlando route will perform remains to be seen. However, its addition brings TAP's US network to 11 year-round routes and one seasonal service. From its main hub in Lisbon, the airline continues to serve Boston, Newark Liberty, Washington Dulles, New York JFK, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago O'Hare, and San Francisco. According to scheduling data from Cirium, TAP is offering approximately 1,295 flights to the US this winter season. This translates to roughly eight to nine daily departures from Lisbon. Elsewhere in Portugal, the airline continues to operate almost daily flights from Porto to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), alongside twice-weekly services to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Looking ahead to next summer, TAP is also scheduled to introduce a weekly service between Terceira Airport (TER) in the Azores and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) from June 2027.